A Sneak Peek at the Nostalgia Exhibit: Penny Lane and the Endless Summer

A Sneak Peek at the Nostalgia Exhibit: Penny Lane and the Endless Summer

Hi friends! I’m so excited to share a sneak peek of the piece I’ll be exhibiting in the upcoming Nostalgia show at the Cumming Arts Center, opening January 14.

The theme of this juried exhibition—open to both members and non-members—is Nostalgic. The moment I heard the theme, I knew exactly what I wanted to paint.

You see, I recently fulfilled a lifelong dream: I finally own a VW Bus. If you’ve ever been drawn to the idea of open roads, salty air, sunsets, and freedom, then you understand the magic wrapped up in that iconic vehicle. My “new-to-me” 1973 VW Bus is a little rough around the edges—but she’s full of personality and endless possibility.

Because she’s a good-time gal with a few quirks, I named her Penny Lane, after the unforgettable character from Almost Famous. She’s got stories to tell, adventures ahead of her, and a soul that feels deeply nostalgic.

While Penny still needs some TLC, my husband and I plan to have her road-ready for our first camping trip this April to celebrate our wedding anniversary. And of course, where else would we take her but the beach? Penny is a beach lady through and through—we found her in Jupiter, Florida, after all.

While we wait for those real-life adventures to begin, I imagined Penny parked along the shoreline at sunset—warm light, palm trees swaying, and that feeling of endless summer that lives somewhere deep in our memory. That vision became this painting, titled Penny Lane and the Endless Summer.

The piece will be on display and available for purchase at the Cumming Arts Center Wednesday through Saturday, 11–3, beginning January 14 and running through March 14. The artist reception will take place on February 7 from 12–3, and all are welcome to attend, explore the exhibit, and meet the local artists behind this nostalgic and heartfelt show.

I hope you’ll come see Penny in person—and maybe reconnect with a memory of your own along the way.