Middle Street and Madison art

Photographer Phil Napala’s digital photography of scenes from the Civil War, including the one shown here – though actually captured at the 150th anniversary reenactment at Manassas last year – features colors, according to one reviewer, “like a painter's palette, and the result has the best aspects of a watercolor – fresh and spontaneous . . . Though it is captured with the most modern of digital technology, it is rendered like a watercolor sketch – exactly the same way artists traveling with the Civil War sketched troops on the move 145 years ago." Napala, a NASA engineer, will have his works on exhibit at Middle Street Gallery, next to River District Arts at Sperryville’s Rappahannock Central, through March 29. (Gallery hours are 10 to 5 Friday-sunday; call 540-987-9330 for more information.)

Meanwhile, Firnew Farm Artists, with their many Rappahannock connections, will present “BLUE,” an art show to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Madison from March 18-25. The details: The show will be held at the Waverly Yowell Cafetorium on from 4 to 7 Monday-thursday and will feature student work as well work by members of the Firnew Farm Artists. An open house is 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 23, at the Kemper Residence, 412 Main St., Madison. Refreshments will be served and music provided by the Possum Ridge String Band. Donations will be gratefully accepted and will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Madison. More information online at thestudiofirnewfarm.blogspot.com.