Alison Chase Radcliffe sings spirituals from the African American tradition and accompanies herself on piano, playing all of her own arrangements. She sings from a deeply spiritual place with power, beauty and subtlety. Her repertoire of traditional spirituals includes I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, Pilgrim Traveler, Amazing Grace, and Bright Morning Stars. Alison’s art seems to draw from the same deeply spiritual place as her music. She paints and draws portraits of women from her imagination, using primarily oils on wood. She also uses pencil, watercolor, gouache, and ink.

Alison practices an unusual approach to her work as an artist and musician. She perfects a few songs each year, devoting an enormous amount of time to each musical phrase and nuance. She paints but a few portraits per year as well, sanding the previous work and then painting on top of it. Each portrait has beneath its surface layers and layers of women, adding depth and dimension to her paintings. This meticulous and intensified artistic process is an integral part of Alison’s mastery, and is clearly expressed in her music and art.

Alison will feature her artwork in an opening reception Friday, November 9th, from 6pm-10pm. She will also preview some of her music througout the course of the evening. Alison will be giving a full-length concert on Saturday, November 10th at 8pm. Tickets are $12 ($10 for members). For tickets, please call 804-957-5707 ext. 106.