Fredericksburg Artist Receives Special Grant From VA Relief Fund

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A Fredericksburg artist was one of 40 artists across the state to receive a special grant from Virginia to help visual artists impacted by the coronavirus crisis. All the artists, including Lorie McCown of Fredericksburg, will receive $5,000 through the Virginia Artist Relief Fellowship Program.

Artists’ livelihoods and their ability to continue making art have been directly impacted by canceled exhibitions and gallery and museum closures as a result of the pandemic.

“We sought to use resources we have available to help sustain artists in Virginia through this critical time,” Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Director and CEO Alex Nyerges said Tuesday in a statement.

The Virginia Artist Relief Fellowship Program is funded by the museum’s existing Artist Fellowship Endowment established in 1941 through a gift made by John Lee Pratt of Fredericksburg. Using the endowment created from Pratt's gift, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has awarded nearly $5.8 million to artists across the state over the past 80 years.

“Art has a profound way of inspiring, healing, and providing meaning during challenging times — and we need that now more than ever,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday in a statement. “These artists hail from more than twenty Virginia cities and towns, and their different backgrounds and talents reflect the tremendous diversity of our Commonwealth."

McCown was among 350 artists across the state who applied for the grant. She was formally trained in drawing, painting, and art history. Her works of art are in private collections and public galleries nationally and internationally, according to her website.

In an email to Patch, McCown said the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' relief program is a "fantastic opportunity" for working studio artists at this difficult time.

"I’m honored to be chosen, as there are a lot of creatives out there who are experiencing difficulties," she said. "Art shows are being canceled, teaching opportunities are canceled, or postponed. Many of these are an artist's bedrock. I appreciate the support and applaud the VMFA for supporting working artists."