Marian Van Landingham’s recent trip to Portugal was supposed to be a quick respite before treatment for her cancer resumed. But when she returned from her two-week trip in early January, she received unexpected news.
“After I took a PET scan, my oncologist called me with the good news — I’m cancer free,” said Van Landingham, who represented Alexandria in the House of Delegates from 1982 to 2005. “Meanwhile, I’m painting again.”
Van Landingham will display some of her new works at a special exhibition during a March 25 performance of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. The show, titled “Bel Canto,” will feature works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Aaron Copland, Giuseppe Verdi and Frederic Chopin.
“Much of my work is based on Mediterranean themes,” Van Landingham said, adding that the new painting was inspired from her trip to Portugal. “You sort of want to walk right into the painting and join in the experience, so to speak.”