A! Magazine for the Arts Archive

Jay Phyfer continues to work during "retirement'

When Virginia Intermont College closed in 2014, Bristol lost an important institution, and many talented people also lost their jobs.

In This Issue

• Marvin Tadlock a part of VI for 42 years Many people felt the real end of Virginia Intermont didn't come until Marvin Tadlock left his studio in December 2016. While the school closed in 2014, Tadlock continued to rent and work in his studio until the college went on the auction block.
• Megan Pinch works in a new medium: wood Jay Phyfer's "passion for teaching and the incredibly diverse offering of photography classes at VI," drew Megan Pinch to join the photography department at Virginia Intermont College in 2010.
• Joe Champagne & Neil Staples continue creating images Joseph Champagne and Neil Staples were integral members of the photography department at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Va.
• Perry Johnson continues to teach and exhibit Perry Johnson is an assistant professor of painting at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee.
• Sam Morrow teaches in Connecticut Sam Morrow, who taught art at Virginia Intermont, is an instructor at Rowayton Arts Center in Fairfield, Connecticut.
• Arts For Youth Spotlight Jamie Kemple recently wrote her first play and won top honors in Barter's Young Playwrights Festival.
• January Jams brings diverse lineup Abingdon Music Experience presents the sixth annual January Jams at Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Virginia.
• AAME seeks nominations for Arts Achievement Awards The Arts Alliance Mountain Empire announces the call for nominations for its fourth AAME Arts Achievement Awards.
• Barter Theatre announces its new season lineup During the season announcement, members of Barter Theatre's resident acting company performed assorted songs and scenes from the upcoming season.
• King University hosts Dr. Jeremy Begbie at First Presbyterian Church King University's Institute for Faith and Culture welcomes Jeremy Begbie, Ph.D., to speak at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tenn.
• Locals win 50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards From a pool of more than 350 nominees, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the state arts agency, has selected several regional organizations or individuals to receive its prestigious "50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards."
• ETSU faculty and alumni nominated for Grammies East Tennessee State University faculty and alumni received nominations for the 2018 Grammy Awards or were involved in Grammy-nominated works.
• Sunday with Friends begins at library in Abingdon The Friends of the Washington County Public Library celebrate the 20th anniversary of the annual Sunday with Friends literary series.
• VHCC unveils spring's Arts Array films Virginia Highlands Community College kicks off the Spring 2018 Arts Array Film Series Jan. 15.

A! Extra

• Birthplace of Country Music Museum wants to restore old recording BRISTOL, Va. – Some 21st century technology is needed to breathe new life into a damaged old recording, but that is the goal of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
• Pride & Poverty- Earl Carter's lens captured the region ABINGDON, Va. — Earl Carter took off to the find "the real Appalachia."
• Jangling Sparrows fly into O'Mainnin's Wednesday BRISTOL, Tenn. — Americana/Roots musician Paul Edelman and Jangling Sparrows presently on their 140 Nickels Tour, will perform at O'Mainnin's Pub, 712 State St., Wednesday. Showtime is 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. No cover charge.
• Community Made in the Mountains: The Luthiers Craft Exhibit RUGBY, Va. — Beyond Little Wilson, over Big Wilson, and near the Mouth of Wilson in the tiny locale of Rugby thrives the shop of guitar maker Wayne Henderson.
• Abingdon native directs new epic western 'Hostiles' Tall in the saddle gallops the latest film directed by Abingdon native Scott Cooper.
• King University Theatre Professor Kiara Pipino's Play, "Everyone's a Hero with Someone Else's Tit" Premiers at 8th Annual United Solo Festival in NYC BRISTOL, Tenn. – King University theater professor Kiara Pipino premiered her one-woman play, "Everyone's a Hero with Someone Else's Tit," Oct. 8, 2017, on Broadway in New York City at the eighth annual United Solo Festival.
• Radio Bristol touches the world BRISTOL, Va. — Good morning, Bristol. Good morning, World.
• Fred Carter's legacy — stories told in art "It is fitting for an artist whose head is full to bursting with stories to tell, ideas to express, condemnations to issue, and profound love to lift up to flit between mediums.
• Abingdon's January Jams selected as prestigious Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event Abingdon's January Jams concert series has been named by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for January 2018.
• East Tennessee Author Writes and Illustrates Rhyming Children's Book Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc., of Johnson City, Tennessee, announces the release of The Crayon (W)Rapper by Tennessee author, Cheryl Livingston.
• Rare Stanley Brothers live recording among Virginia's most endangered A rare transcription disc containing a live broadcast performance of The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys on the former WCYB Radio Farm and Fun Time show has been listed among the Virginia Association of Museums Top 10 Endangered Artifacts.
• KSO performs "A Night with the Arts" Jan. 15 in honor of MLK Day The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the Carpetbag Theatre and several other arts groups collaborate to present A Night with the Arts: A Celebration Concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Tenness
• Author debuts first book at 80 years of age Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc., of Johnson City, Tennessee, announces the release of "Ponderings" by author Gail Carpenter.
• Orchak first to win both American, Canadian Grand Masters fiddle championships East Tennessee State University graduate student Aynsley Porchak recently won the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship.