A! Magazine for the Arts Archive

Art in a Healing Environment

American sculptor Frederick Hart (1943-1999) is perhaps best known for his "Three Soldiers" at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the monumental bas-relief "Creation" series for the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

In This Issue

• Rare Opportunity to View Sculptor's Work "[Art] should be a majestic presence in everyday life as it was in the past." — Frederick Hart
• Local Musician 'Pulls No Punches' Recalling Misadventures On The Road

  There are dozens of "autobiographical" books by famous entertainers describing the highs and lows of their lives in show business. But rarely do we get a glimpse of life for the journeyman entertainer, the regionally-known working musician wh

• Highlands Community Services Purchases Local Art, Partners with Arts Depot Highlands Community Services of Bristol, Va. has partnered with The Arts Depot in Abingdon, Va.
• Art in Public Places Selects 2009 Juror Katherine Huntoon has been selected as the juror for the 2009 Art in Public Places (AiPP) outdoor sculpture competition. AiPP is a project of Arts Alliance Mountain Empire, publisher of A! Magazine for the Arts.
• Highlands Festival Names 2009 Signature Artist The Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon has chosen Val Lyle of Bristol, Tenn. as its 2009 signature artist.
• SVCC Honors Ellen Elmes Although Ellen Elmes retired as a full-time art instructor at Southwest Virginia Community College in December 2007, she was not permanently honored until recently when the college named its exhibition room the Ellen Von Dehsen Elmes Gallery.

A! Extra

• 'Smoke on the Mountain' is Tuneful and Inspiring The music and laughs come fast and furious in between monologues of "witnessing" that are alternately inspiring and interesting....Even if you don't enjoy gospel music, you'll be sorely tried not to find yourself tapping happily along with the lively numb
• Proposed Economic Stimulus Package includes $50 Million for NEA The House Democratic leadership, on Jan. 15, 2009, released the details of an $825 billion economic stimulus package with $275 billion in tax breaks and $550 billion in spending.
• Where to find A! Magazine for the Arts A! Magazine for the Arts is distributed throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
• African American Roots The birth of country music can be traced to the recording sessions in Bristol, Tennessee in the summer of 1927. The influences that brought those sessions to life go back much farther.
• Working Under a New Global Economic Model It is interesting to consider that we might actually be slightly ahead of the curve (because) we're slowly creating a sustainable local economy that is less vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of international commerce, an economy that is rooted in neighbors
• ETSU's Olson is Editor of New Book about Appalachian writer James Still Dr. Ted Olson of East Tennessee State University has compiled James Still in Interviews, Oral Histories and Memoirs, a new book published by McFarland & Co.
• Swanay named Director of Johnson City Library Robert "Bob" Swanay has accepted the position of Director of the Johnson City Public Library. He has been serving as Interim Director of the library for several months and has been an employee for 13 years.
• Recommendations Sent to Obama Transition Team Bob Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, discusses his hopes for the incoming Obama administration with respect to arts support and the use of the arts throughout the national government. He specifically addresses the National Endowment for
• Petition for 'Secretary of the Arts and Culture' Gaining Momentum Artists and arts advocates are rallying around a call that has been getting louder with each administration. The call is for a Secretary of the Arts and Culture. With Barack Obama's incoming administration, the call is gaining momentum and one of the most
• Bicentennial Quilt Square in Greeneville At the conclusion of the Andrew Johnson Bicentennial in Greeneville, a permanent symbol of the celebration remained on Main Street, two blocks from the Tailor Shop in which Johnson began nearly 50 years of public service.
• Local Business Shuttered By Digital Photography

  Big box retailers, the popularity of digital cameras, and printers linked to home computers lead to demise of once-thriving One Hour Photo business in Bristol, Va.

• From Downtown Sculptures to The Healing Arts From outdoor sculptures in downtown Kingsport to bronze limited edition sculptures at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Jeffrey Stoner is taking a new look at the fine art of photography.
• Library's Public Art Collection Begins with Tapestry by Local Artist The tapestry weaving is the beginning of a public art collection at the Washington County Public Library and was subsidized by a project grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
• What's Your Hope for the Arts in Your Community for 2009? As we look to the future, we'd like to share other people's hopes for the arts — and encourage you to share your hopes with others.
• Eclectic Artist's Work on View in Richlands

  For William Kyle Wimmer, making art — all kinds of art — has been a lifelong avocation.

• Arts Depot Announces People's Choice Award The People's Choice Award went to " A Day's Work," a pastel by Jerry Sanders, Kingsport, Tenn.
• Chicago Arts & Culture An award-winning local artist spent a whirlwind weekend filled with arts and culture in Chicago.
• Student Art On Exhibit at Lee Regional Medical Center

  An exhibition of student art is brightening the main hallway at Lee Regional Medical Center in Pennington Gap, Va.