A! Magazine for the Arts Archive

Art Walks help downtown areas

The Tri-Cities and surrounding communities abound with art galleries, musical venues and other arts-related organizations, and each locale has developed creative ways to share the arts with its community.

In This Issue

• Abingdon celebrates the arts on First Thursday The First Thursday of the month, the brick sidewalks and trolley in Abingdon, Va., are filled with people visiting local galleries.
• Bristol undergoes an arts renaissance Bristol's downtown Arts and Entertainment District is filled with interesting, quirky and quaint shops, restaurants and art galleries.
• Accidental scheduling starts successful tradition Usually when one says, "accidents happen," it isn't a happy occasion. However, in Marion, in July 2006 when Suzan Sukle of Appalachian Spirit Gallery and Jenny Kirby of Black Rooster Gallery both scheduled an art opening for the same night — something spe
• Kingsport, The Model City, serves as model for the arts Kingsport (known as The Model City) not only has several arts-related events, such as First Thursday events, a Sculpture Walk, Carousel and Bench projects and others; it has a stand-along Office of Cultural Arts, whose executive director is Bonnie Macdona
• Whitney Baxter excels at poetry performance Walt Whitman, one of Whitney Baxter's favorite poets, said, "To have great poets, there must be great audiences."
• Back Country Makers: William and David Grim: Tinsmiths and Coppersmiths German was the preferred language in William Grim's Abingdon home.
• John Battle band director chosen as Yale Distinguished Music Educator John Battle Band Director Mark Collins is among those selected to receive the 2013 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award.
• Jonesborough Art Show announces winners Artists submitted art for the Jonesborough Art Show ranging from mixed media to paintings, including photography, woodworking, etc., giving the show a well-rounded exhibit of artwork.

A! Extra

• Fantasy meets Reality in Bristol Rob-Con, a local comic book convention, gets bigger and better every year. Just ask Robert Pilk, co-owner of Bristol's Mountain Empire Comics, sponsor of the 28th annual event.
• Concert to benefit local cancer patients A September concert will generate funds for patients undergoing treatment from the Wellmont Cancer Institute.
• Outdoor Drama marks 50th anniversary Nestled in charming Big Stone Gap rests the Trail of the Lonesome Pine theater.
• Barter Theatre and Symphony of the Mountains Team Up For Les Misérables The big buzz this summer has been about Barter Theatre's production of Les Misérables, arguably the best musical of all time.
• Marion expands vision of Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Music and Arts An expanded vision is taking shape for the Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Music and Arts (SAMA). The Marion Town Council has approved a plan to develop the more-than-century-old school into a multi-use cultural heritage center with SAMA as the a
• Virginia Highlands Festival visiting artisan now calls Southwest Virginia home DAMASCUS, Va. — Sometimes, the lure of the Southwest Virginia mountains proves too much for the artisans who show their wares at the annual Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon. Count Matthew Newman among them.
• Cartoonist presents workshop BRISTOL , Tenn. — Current events have no place in Hootin' Holler. That's pretty much the mantra of Barney Google and Snuffy Smith cartoonist John R. Rose, who has helped tell the Appalachian moonshiner's tale since 1998.
• Barter's Stage II offers serious drama As much as we thrill at magnificent musicals such as Barter's current hit, Les Misérables, or almost die laughing at roll-in-the-aisles-funny Southern Fried Funeral on the theatre's Main Stage, for those who enjoy some good serious drama
• Folks You Should Know: He's a magic man It was an idea Tim White came up with in 1999: comedy, bluegrass and magic as a variety show. White asked Dave Vaught to combine his knack for making audiences laugh with his skilled guitar playing, vocals and magic to form the VW Boys. The name came from
• Winners of the 11th Summer Judged Show at Sycamore Shoals Fifty-one paintings of the Watauga Valley Art League were judged by Sharon Squibb for the 11th Summer Judged Show.
• Jessica Turner named director, head curator of Bristol's Birthplace of Country Music Museum BRISTOL, Va. — Jessica Turner, a Virginia Intermont College professor, has been named director and head curator of Bristol's Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
• Abingdon center explores arts JUMP! An Exploration of the Arts is offered each Monday at Abingdon Senior Center.
• Barter Theatre adds A Christmas Story to 2013 season ABINGDON, VA — When <em>A Christmas Story</em> finished its sold out run at Barter Theatre last December, patrons continued to call asking if the theatre would bring the show back. The calls and e-mails have continued.
• Abingdon soaks in the blues with street party ABINGDON, Va. — Chairs were lined up against buildings in downtown Abingdon Saturday afternoon, as individuals tapped their feet to the blues music that filled Main Street.