Symphony of the Mountains
The Pro-Art Association’s Second Annual Picnic with the Arts Summer Series commences Fourth of July weekendSunday, July 3with aPatriotic Pops Concertfrom Symphony of the Mountains. The concert begins at 7 p.m.at Leeman Field in Pennington Gap, Virginia. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and settle in for an evening of fresh air and beautiful music to celebrate America’s 246thbirthday. Each event of the summer series is free and open to the public.
The concert program evokes memories of American summers—from thunder storms to bumblebees to concerts in the park—with works from Strauss, Richmanand Copland. Patriotic favorites such as Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” and Samuel Ward’s “America the Beautiful” ring in the holiday. The symphony also performs “The Soldier’s Farewell”, a powerful tribute to those who gave all for our country.
Picnic with the Arts continues with anAcrylic Painting Workshopby Misty Stratton Tuesday, July 12from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.at the Pennington Gap Community Center. This introductory workshop is open to all skills levels aged 7and older. Workshop participants work from the same image and at their own pace, with the goal of completing an artwork they can take home. Supplies are provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch to enjoy during their break.
Stratton has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and an MFA from Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland. She is assistant professor of studio art at UVA Wise and adjunct faculty of art at Mountain Empire Community College. This workshop is free and open to the public.If you would like to participate in the Acrylic Painting Workshop, RSVP by email topro-art@uvawise.eduor by phone at 276-376-4520 by Friday, July 8.
Then, onTuesday, July 19, take aCrash Course in Knittingwith Robyn Raines from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lonesome Pine Regional Library in Wise. This workshop introduces beginners to the basic tools and materials used in knitting. Participants receive group and individualized instruction. Materials are provided for this day-long workshop, and at least one project will be on its way to completion by the end of the day. There will be a one-hour break for lunch; participants are invited to bring a bag lunch if desired.
A Southwest Virginia native, Robyn Raines moved back to the region after completing her BFA in textile design from Moore College of Art & Design (Philadelphia); working for Betsey Johnson, New York fashion designer; and completing the Core Fellow Program at the Penland School of Crafts. In 2017, she completed her Master’s Degree in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. Raines followed a path of full-time leadership roles in both the art and human service non-profit sectors until 2020 when she decided to refocus. She owns Whitetop Yoga in Abingdon, where she is excited to support gratitude, mindfulnessand intention with the local community and visitors to the region. She loves balancing her space and time between her yoga and art studios, as well as farming and traveling. This workshop is free and open to the public.Space for the workshop is limited,if you would like to take the Crash Course in Knitting, RSVP by email topro-art@uvawise.eduor by phone at 276-376-4520 by Friday, July 15.
The Pro-Art Association’s Picnic with the Arts Summer Series culminates with one of the organization’s favorite events—the 11thannualSymphony by the Lake Concertin partnership with The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Everyone is welcome to gather at sunset onSaturday, July 23on the lawn by the lake at UVA Wise for “80 Years of Movie Music” from the Symphony of the Mountains.
Bring your family and friends, a picnic, blankets or lawn chairs, and enjoy film scores from eight decades of movie magic.The symphonyregales the audience with favorites from “Star Wars,”“Beauty and the Beast,”“West Side Story,”“The Sound of Music”and many more. Patriotic selections honor active military and veterans. Virtuoso trumpeter Chris Coletti, former Canadian Brass, joins the orchestra as a featured soloist. The concert is free and open to the public.
Symphony of the Mountains’ commitment to service encompasses the entire region, without regard for state or county boundaries. The orchestra consists of more than 70 professional musicians conducted by Cornelia Laemmli Orth. For more information about the symphony and to see a list of upcoming performances, visitsymphonyofthemountains.org.
Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with mobility issues are encouraged to call or email the Pro-Art office to make arrangements for parking. For evolving conditions related to the global pandemic, inclement weatheror similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to visitproartva.orgor call 276-376-4520 for up-to-date information.
Pro-Art’s mission is to promote the arts and expand accessibility to cultural experiences for residents and students in Wise, Lee, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton. For more information about planned performances, visitproartva.org. You can find the Pro-Art Association on social media @ProArtVA.
