Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont will host a Spring Open House on Sunday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public who will have the opportunity to experience the formal gardens exploding with color as well as the verdant woodland paths and trails. Both the house museum and studio will open for tours throughout the day.Artists are encouraged to paint on the grounds in the plein-aire style Gari Melchers embraced.
Amateur and professional artists are invited to use the grounds of Belmont as their own plein-air workshop. Artists in all media are welcome, as well as photographers and those who just want to enjoy the day as observers. Picnicking on the grounds also is encouraged.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio is a 28-acre estate and former residence of the artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. The property, which is operated by the University of Mary Washington, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Located at 224 Washington St. in Falmouth, Va., a quarter mile west of the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17, it is open daily with an admission charge. The museum also serves as the official Stafford County Visitor Center. For directions and other information, call (540) 654-1015 or visit the museum website at www.GariMelchers.org.