"Mother of Pearl" by April Street is the 2007 signature art for the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 14-16, has already lined up dozens of musicians for the seventh annual festival, to be held in the historic downtown district. Among them are winners of Grammy and International Bluegrass Music Association awards. As the event moves closer, additions will be made to the line-up. For the latest news, visit www.bristolrhythm.com or www.myspace.com/rhythmandrootsreunion or call 423-573-4898.
Signature Art
One of the most sought-after keepsakes from the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 14-16, is the signature poster. This year the art, "Mother of Pearl," was created by Southwest Virginia native April Street, who will be available at the festival to sign posters at the autograph tent for fans.
Street's eclectic interpretation of the world is told through photography, video, sculpture and painting. Many of her paintings portray people, their worlds and the elements within, characters dwelling either in fantasy or grounded in reality.
Natives of our region have witnessed Street's evolution as an artist and curator through exhibitions at the William King Regional Arts Center in Abingdon where she founded "Blurring the Lines," the first outdoor sculpture garden and annual sculpture competition in our region. Street also curated William King's "The Human Habit," an exhibition of clothing-related sculpture benefiting cancer research.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from East Tennessee State University, earning Masters credits from The Art Institute of Chicago and University of Georgia. Street also studied bronze casting in Cortona, Italy.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Street still maintains a residence and art space in Bristol. Her work has been included in international exhibitions and is currently on view in Nashville, Austin, and Los Angeles galleries. To see more of Street's work, visit www.aprilstreet.com.
