November 2021
October 29th – November 10th, 2021
Greetings all!
I just wanted to let my wonderful fans, dear friends, and esteemed colleagues know that I was selected by the judges as a finalist in the CS Music Online Fall Voice Competition, an international platform, in the “Emerging Pro” category! Now the contest moves to an Audience Choice round. I am so grateful for all who have already supported me, and if you would like to add your vote on my behalf, please do so at the link below. The deadline is November 10th, 2021. They do ask you to set up a free account providing your email in order to properly tally the votes. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your VOTE!
VOTE for Rina Lucas in the CS Music Fall Online Voice Competition HERE
Rina Lucas
Staff & Palette
CS Music – Artist Profile – Rina Lucas
October 23rd – December 3rd, 2021
With much gratitude to the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley and collaborators at the Blacksburg Regional Art Association, the Floyd Center for the Arts, and Radford University, Rina Lucas of Staff & Palette is delighted to have her 36 x 48 original oil with accompanying poetry, “Seasonal Serendipity” invited to exhibit in the 16th New River Art Biennial Exhibition 2021. This year’s event is being hosted at the Radford University Art Museum on Tyler. The gallery is located near the campus of Radford University at 214 Tyler Avenue, Radford, VA 24141. The Tyler Gallery desk (staffed by student workers) can be reached at 540-831-5160.
October 9th – November 29th, 2021
Rina Lucas of Staff & Palette is delighted for the invitation to exhibit three original oil paintings, each accompanied by poetry, alongside her colleagues during the 18th Annual New Work Exhibition at The Floyd Center for the Arts. A “Meet the Artists” reception will be held on Saturday, October 9th, 2021 from 5-7 pm.
18th Annual New Work Exhibition 2021 – Floyd Center for the Arts
18th Annual New Work Exhibition 2021 – Video Walk Through – Floyd Center for the Arts
“Becoming” – 30 x 30 Original Oil – $3500
“Holly’s Pumpkin” – 16 x 20 Original Oil – Not For Sale
“Christmas at Khori’s Beach” – 36 x 48 Original Oil featured in Rina’s original multimedia show “Farewell Ode to Winter – A Virtual Performance” from March 2021 – $5000
September 30th – October 30th, 2021
Rina Lucas of Staff & Palette is proud to be invited for inclusion in Pets 2021, an international juried online exhibition. Her original oil entitled “Side by Side Swagger” accompanied by poetry is featured in this exhibit.
| “Side by Side Swagger” – an original oil portrait of the artist with her pups Ariel and Eli chauffeured on a side by side ride through the mountains by her husband John for whom this piece is a birthday gift – November 26th, 2020. For the many hours required to complete this painting, original saxophone compositions by friend and colleague Robert Lewis from his brilliant album “Swagger” were playing on a loop in the studio, hence the title of the piece with Maestro’s permission.
“Side by Side Swagger” – a poem by Rina Lucas to accompany this piece – For John Such a feast |
August 2021
Artistonish – Contemporary Art Magazine – Issue #13 – August 2021
Staff & Palette is delighted to announce that “Becoming”, a 30 x 30 original oil by Rina Lucas has been invited for inclusion in Artistonish Magazine – August 2021, a juried, global publication.
Biafarin – Artistonish Magazine – Artist Profile – Rina Lucas
“Becoming” – Poem by Rina Lucas
So much of who we are
Is acquired
Along each experience
Exuding evidence
Of who we have always been
And dare to become,
Building big dreams
On small steps
Unfolding
From foundational faith
That we are…
And we are enough,
In this moment
Of precise perfection
There is not one more thing
We must do
To be
Who we are,
We just are
And what we are is enough,
As our bodies grow and change
As our essence evolves with age
As we struggle against the barriers
That keep us tightly folded within ourselves
In this stillness
Still
We are enough,
One day those dark walls of our own creation
Walls to protect
Walls to allow
Walls to accept
Walls to prepare
Walls to fight against so we can be stronger
Will burst,
Suddenly
We will know who we are
And who we have been all along,
In the quiet of the chrysalis
We begin to remember ourselves anew
And it gives us courage to break free,
We have always been strong
We have always been beautiful
We have always been brave
We have always been worthy of wings
To soar
On songs of hope
Becoming
Who we have always been
And always were meant to be.
August 14th – October 2nd, 2021
Staff & Palette is pleased to have Rina’s original oil painting, “Wild Iris in Bloom on the Palmetto Trail” invited for The Floyd Center for the Arts National Juried Exhibition 2021 with Z.L. Feng where her piece earned The Judge’s Choice Award during the opening reception held the evening of August 14th. After the votes were tallied, she also won The People’s Choice Award at the exhibition’s close.
Out & About: Floyd Center for the Arts opens 3 new shows – roanoke.com
“Wild Iris in Bloom on the Palmetto Trail” – 30 x 30 Original Oil first featured in Rina’s multimedia show during Piccolo Spoleto 2019, “Seasons: A Visual and Vocal Journey”, alongside composer and pianist Arshak Sirunyan in Charleston, SC – $3500.
“Spring” – Poem by Rina Lucas
What persistence and strength
Such energy and courage
Ah the exquisite vulnerability and faith
It takes
To bloom.
July 31st, 2021 – 7:00 pm
Staff & Palette is proud to present “Virtually Yours – Spring’s Serenade for Summer”, a multimedia celebration of seasons in nature and life filmed at the Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg, VA by Jacob Dillinger, Neil Fox, and Cole Barrett of MNF Productions and premiering across social media channels on Saturday, July 31st, at 7 pm, including virtual program links, with virtual piano by Arshak Sirunyan, and voice, poetry, and paint by Rina Lucas.
June 30th – July 30th, 2021
Soprano Rina Lucas of Staff & Palette is delighted to be heard on this international stage and honored to have reached the final round of the competition and awarded an Honorary Mention for her performance.
Medici International Music Competition
June 12 – August 7, 2021
Staff & Palette is proud to be invited to exhibit Rina Lucas’s Original Oil Series “Plum Perfect” consisting of three paintings: #1 – A Welcome Visitor, #2 – Center of Attention, #3 – The Buzz around Town in the Hayloft Gallery of The Floyd Center for the Arts to celebrate 26 years of elevating the arts in a meaningful show, with Artist’s Reception held on June 26th, 2021 from 5-7 pm, entitled:
THE GIFT OF ART: 26 YEARS AN ART CENTER
The Floyd Press – Thursday, June 24, 2021 – “Arts Center to host first reception since March 2020”
Plum Perfect Oil Series #1 – A Welcome Visitor
Plum Perfect Oil Series #2 – Center of Attention
Plum Perfect Oil Series #3 – The Buzz around Town
May 2021
Artistonish – Contemporary Art Magazine – Issue #10 – May 2021
Staff & Palette is delighted to have been invited to be featured in this global publication with Rina Lucas’s Original Oil entitled “Mr. Elijah’s Masterpiece” inspired by the work of her dear friend and fellow artist, Mr. Elijah Ford, who has been creating Sweetgrass Baskets iconic of Charleston’s Gullah Community since his youth.
Artistonish – Contemporary Art Magazine – May 2021
Biafarin – Artistonish Magazine – Artist Profile – Rina Lucas
“Mr. Elijah’s Masterpiece” – Poem by Rina Lucas
He stands
Greeting us with a warm smile
That has welcomed us for years
To his basket stand
The gem of Highway 17
Showcasing the talents
Handed down to him from his mother
And a thousand generations before her
All around us
Sparkling in the Charleston sun
Are his masterpieces
Fragrant as the morning dew
The poetry and pain
Of a great people
Sewn together in prayer
If ever a man looked like God to me
It’s Mr. Elijah
Gentleness and strength
Humility and greatness
Swirled together like his artwork
With serene confidence
His kind eyes have seen so much
Joy and grief
For more than 80 years
His skilled hands have been
Working the Sweetgrass
Translating torment and toil
Into a glorious triumph
Ashes into Beauty
Mourning into Dancing.
April 18th, 2021, 5:00 pm
Farewell Ode to Winter – A Virtual Performance
Rina Lucas – Voice, Poetry, Paint
Arshak Sirunyan – Virtual Piano
Filmed by Jacob Dellinger – MNF Productions – The Floyd Center for the Arts
Staff & Palette is proud to present “Farewell Ode to Winter – A Virtual Performance”, a multimedia homage to the coldest, darkest season of the year filmed at The Floyd Center for the Arts by Jacob Dillinger of MNF Productions and premiering across social media on Sunday, April 18th, at 5 pm, including virtual program links attached, with virtual piano by Arshak Sirunyan, and voice, poetry, and paint by Rina Lucas.
https://staffandpalette.com https://www.arshaksirunyan.com
If you have enjoyed this performance, please consider a donation to The Floyd Center for the Arts as an expression of your appreciation: https://www.floydartcenter.org/suppor…
Links to Program and Program Notes:
Program:
Program Notes:
Chapters 0:00 Farewell Ode to Winter 1:56 Ave Maria 4:46 Selections from Messiah 21:30 II Neige 23:11 Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening 26:31 Aria of the Snow Maiden – from The Snow Maiden 30:51 Jerusalem of Gold 35:28 Rockin’ Jerusalem 40:48 Closing Credits
April 10th and 11th, 2021
Soprano Rina Lucas is proud to offer her classical rendition of the VCOM Alma Mater live at The Gogue Performing Arts Center on the Auburn University Campus with virtual blues piano accompaniment composed and recorded by Maestro Arshak Sirunyan especially for The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine White Coat Ceremony.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn White Coat Ceremony Spring 2021
A pre-recorded version featuring Rina’s vocals and Arshak’s original piano composition of their rendition of the VCOM Alma Mater was also utilized for the White Coat Ceremony at The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana Campus.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Louisiana White Coat Ceremony Spring 2021
October 17th-December 3rd, 2020
Staff & Palette has reopened our doors high atop the Blue Ridge, and we are proud to announce that “Mr. Elijah’s Masterpiece”, Rina’s 20 x 16 original oil on canvas has been accepted into The Floyd Center for the Arts 2020 Juried Exhibition, “Art Appalachia: 2020”, which will run from October 17th to December 3rd. Selected from artists encompassing 13 states from Mississippi to New York by juror Wendy Earle, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, NC, it is truly an honor to be part of this prestigious show. Rina is especially pleased that this piece, inspired by the work of our dear friend and master sweetgrass artist, Mr. Elijah Ford, was awarded this opportunity.
Programming is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Due to Covid-19, we will not be able to participate in the reception initially planned for the artists; however there will be virtual opportunities to view the show and hear from the juror about each piece of artwork selected for the show. There may also be provisions made for small groups to view the artwork on site. We will keep everyone in the loop, so please stay tuned for updates!
Art Appalachia:2020 – Floyd Center for the Arts 2020 Juried Exhibit
https://www.floydartcenter.org/art-app
Here is Rina’s poem to accompany the piece:
“Mr. Elijah’s Masterpiece” – Poem by Rina Lucas
He stands
Greeting us with a warm smile
That has welcomed us for years
To his basket stand
The gem of Highway 17
Showcasing the talents
Handed down to him from his mother
And a thousand generations before her
All around us
Sparkling in the Charleston sun
Are his masterpieces
Fragrant as the morning dew
The poetry and pain
Of a great people
Sewn together in prayer
If ever a man looked like God to me
It’s Mr. Elijah
Gentleness and strength
Humility and greatness
Swirled together like his artwork
With serene confidence
His kind eyes have seen so much
Joy and grief
For more than 80 years
His skilled hands have been
Working the Sweetgrass
Translating torment and toil
Into a glorious triumph
Ashes into Beauty
Mourning into Dancing.
.
January 19th, 2020, 3:00 pm
Soprano soloist, visual artist, and poet Rina Lucas of Staff & Palette and composer, piano soloist, and accompanist Arshak Sirunyan bring an encore performance of “Seasons: A Visual and Vocal Journey”, which debuted during Piccolo Spoleto 2019, to the Third Sunday at Three Concert Series at St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church in Summerville, SC, leading the audience through a multi-sensory program featuring jazz and classical vocal/piano arrangements, recently premiered piano solo jazz compositions, and newly unveiled original oil paintings and poems all to suit each season as the artists’ musical performance visually winds through snow covered vistas, flowers in bloom, sultry Spanish Moss, and falling leaves found in Rina’s seasonal paintings and poetry.
No ticket required. Admission is free. Donations will be graciously accepted. Suggested amount $20.
Rina is also proud to be releasing her first album “Seasons: A Vocal & Visual Journey – Live from Piccolo Spoleto 2019” produced by Chris Viera, in time for this special event! It will be available for purchase after the show.
This will be the last opportunity for some time to see these artists collaborate together in the Lowcountry as Rina and her husband John are relocating to Virginia in February 2020. Please come out and allow her to thank you for all of your gracious support during her sojourn as an artist here in Charleston, SC. Staff & Palette will reopen in the Blacksburg, VA area in the coming year.
December 20th, 2019, 7:00 pm
Please join Soprano Rina Lucas as she graces the Mt. Zion AME stage for one more time in 2019 as the guest soloist for SINGING THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS, the annual Christmas Recital of noted voice instructor, Sandra Barnhardt, Rina’s former teacher, dear friend, and mentor. Accompanying her will be the incomparable Arshak Sirunyan, and Earth Angels (Mary Askins, Monica Hammonds, Jeanine Satterfield, and Tierra Thompson) have even agreed to make a special appearance by her side. As is her custom, she will be sharing diverse genres in her repertoire ranging from Handel to Spirituals to Aretha Franklin. It is Rina’s hope that you can be with her for this special event. Tickets may be purchased at the door $5 per person.
December 13th, 2019, 7:30 pm
Soprano Rina Lucas is delighted to be returning to the diverse Mt. Zion AME stage under the direction of Maestros David Richardson, Alphonso Brown, and Ken Lam as the Soprano Soloist for the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah with The Charleston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, December 13th at 7:30pm, at historic Mt. Zion Ame Church in Downtown Charleston.
RSVP Here For Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Mt. Zion AME Community Concert! Free Admission!
November 16th, 2019, 7:30 pm
Soprano Rina Lucas, of Staff & Palette, along with her brilliant accompanist Arshak Sirunyan on piano, as well as talented background artists: Mary Askins, Monica Hammonds, Jeanine Satterfield, and Tierra Thompson, are delighted to be performing for the 2019 Spot Light Awards, a televised, black tie affair to recognize local heroes while honoring the Emanuel Nine, held in the Ballroom of the Gaillard Center in Charleston, SC.
Tickets may be purchased at the following link:
Purchase Tickets for The Spot Light Awards 2019 Here!
September 30th, 2019, 6:00 pm
Staff & Palette is delighted to announce that “Respect”, a framed 16 x 20 original oil grisaille on canvas by Rina Lucas has been selected for inclusion in the MOJA Arts Festival 2019 Juried Art Exhibition which will run from September 26th through October 6th at the Cannon Street Arts Center in downtown Charleston, SC. Artists from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida entered their work for consideration in this prestigious multidisciplinary event celebrating African American and Caribbean culture.
MOJA Juried Art Exhibition 2019
Please join us for a festive reception with the artists at the Cannon Street Arts Center on Monday, September 30th from 6 to 8 pm.
June 22, 2019, 5pm
Guest Soprano Soloist for Mrs. Sandra Barnhardt’s Spring Voice Recital – Mt. Zion AME
June 7, 2019, 7pm
“Seasons: A Visual and Vocal Journey,” an official Piccolo Spoleto event at Providence Baptist Church on Daniel Island.
GET FREE TICKETS HERE.
Soprano and visual artist Rina Lucas and pianist and composer Arshak Sirunyan make their debut with a multi-sensory program featuring jazz and classical vocal and piano arrangements with original jazz compositions as the artists’ musical performance pairs with images found in Rina’s seasonal paintings and poetry.
May 28, 2019, 7pm
Piccolo Spoleto Guest Soprano Soloist and Visual Artist for Katie Small’s “Sounds of the Holy City” at Mt. Zion AME Church. $15
May 4, 2019, 2pm
Guest Soprano Soloist for Mercer University School of Medicine Graduation Ceremony