Matt Gentry Art Exhibit

September 8 – October 28

There will be a silent auction of 14 of Matt’s framed original watercolors, from September 8th until 6:30pm October 20th. Come to the opening on September 8th (5-7pm) or come to the museum any time to bid on these wonderful pieces. The proceeds from this auction go to benefit the Friends of The Huckleberry Trail. Click  here for more details of the auction.

Matt Gentry

Trails, rivers, pathways — these outdoor settings provided inspiration for artist Matt Gentry’s upcoming watercolor display at the Montgomery Museum of Art and History. Come and view more than two dozen paintings on display through October.

The Blacksburg native began this leg of what he calls his “home grown journey” during the pandemic, sketching and painting outdoors (“en plein air”). Drawn to the places he loves most, Gentry began a series of watercolors along the New River. He and his dog, Toby, could be found immersed in the scenery at various locations on The Huckleberry Trail. Despite changing weather and light conditions, bugs and other distractions, Gentry enjoys the challenge and immediacy of painting in nature.

Matt and Toby at work

Gentry, a Roanoke Times photojournalist, has been a visual communicator for 40 years and his sketching experience goes back to high school, where he was a cartoonist for his Blacksburg High School newspaper, the Tattle Tale. He credits comic book illustrations as his earliest inspiration to sketch.

He is passionate about the value of public art. “Art displayed in public spaces demonstrates you care about your community,” stated Gentry. The Huckleberry Trail has been important to his family, and proceeds of the sales of the original watercolors will benefit the Friends of the Huckleberry Trail, a 30-year-old organization that works to maintain, improve and expand the trail. (Read the full article here)

Next up:

Tim Lawson Nov 3 – Dec 30

Larry Bechtel Nov 8 – Jan 30