Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 13, 1990 TAG: 9005090247
SECTION: DISCOVER THE NEW RIVER VALLEY PAGE: 40 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For both spectators and participants, there are many cultural opportunities in the area. Classes, concerts, plays and special events fill the calendar throughout the year.
During the academic year, Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College often bring well-known performers and speakers to their campuses. In addition, performing arts departments at the colleges and universities produce plays, concerts and dance productions.
The events provide New River Valley patrons with varied cultural experiences at a minimum cost. Tickets usually are inexpensive and many productions are free.
But culture in the valley is not limited to the campuses. New River residents have formed and are supporting theater groups, art galleries, an arts center, museums and councils to promote cultural activities.
One of the oldest organizations for cultural advancement in the area is the Blacksburg Regional Art Association. The association, formed more than 40 years ago, works closely with the Virginia Museum of the Arts.
"The purpose of the Blacksburg Regional Art Association is to make people of whatever age group aware that lots of interesting artwork is available," said Margot Sebba, outgoing president of the organization. "We have such a wealth of artists in the New River Valley - in all fields."
The organization holds monthly meetings featuring programs, seminars and lectures on all forms of art. The public is invited to the meetings, usually held the first Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. at the Blacksburg branch of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, 400 Draper Rd.
Each year the association offers a workshop for high school students at one of the local schools. Promoting artistic achievement for young artists is a priority.
"We have many very fine young artists practicing in our area," Sebba noted.
Dean Allen will serve as president for the organization this year. Former president Don Sessler is the membership chairman. For information about membership, call Sessler at 552-4838.
Newer to the area is the New River Arts Council, formed to work toward a cultural center to be used by all fine arts groups.
Plans for the center include a clearinghouse to provide information on concerts, plays and other events and classes and special events for all ages.
The council puts out a quarterly calendar of art activities in the area and is now working on a comprehensive directory of patrons, artists and performing groups in the New River Valley.
The Cambria Whistle Stop Arts Festival, scheduled for June 23 and 24 at the old Cambria Depot, will be sponsored this year by the New River Arts Council. President Ed Schwartz said 40 or more artists are expected to participate in this year's festival.
The Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, based in Pulaski, provides opportunities for appreciation of the arts to everyone in the area. The center does this through monthly art shows, a wide variety of classes and sponsorship of music groups and other entertainment.
A special jewelry exhibit by Robert Smith is featured this month. Hours at the center, 21 West Main St., are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Another community group, the Council for Community Enrichment, has organized to provide a broad spectrum of cultural enrichment through classes and workshops.
The council is sponsoring a children's production workshop of the play, "Alice," involving local children and adults. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Radford High School and Saturday at New River Community College in Dublin. A 4 p.m. performance is planned for next Sunday at Blacksburg Middle School.
Summer Artworks, featuring art, drama, music, creative writing and recreation for children, will be offered by the Council for Community Enrichment at Grove United Methodist Church in Radford June 25-29.
For information, call Dana Gregory, president of the council, at 731-0099.
For those who enjoy acting and play production, there are several theatrical groups that welcome new faces.
Christiansburg Community Theatre brings local talent together for four major performances each year.
Productions over the past 10 years have included "Come Blow Your Horn," "Harvey," "Barefoot in the Park," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Ten Little Indians" and "The Diary of Anne Frank." The theater group will present its 40th production in June with "6 rms riv vu."
Open auditions are held for each play.
Anyone interested in joining the theater group should call 382-0154.
Giles Little Theatre recently presented Neil Simon's Broadway hit, "Plaza Suite." The group produced "Never Too Late" in the fall of 1988 and "The Mousetrap" in the spring of 1989.
Al Katz, president of the group, said there are plans now to offer a one-act fairy-tale production at the Festival Around Town on June 16 in Pearisburg.
For more information about the Giles Little Theatre, call Katz at 921-3070 or Donna Johnston, publicity director, at 921-2335.
Local art galleries present the works of the area's best artists and draw exhibits from outside the region. Art departments at Radford and Tech are constantly scheduling enlightening art displays.
Radford University's Flossie Martin Gallery will present the folk art of 93-year-old Miles Carpenter of Waverly through May 23.
"Art for Children," featuring three exhibitions on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, will be on display at the gallery June 5-30. A series of films and videos will be shown in conjunction with other events planned especially for children.
Flossie Martin Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The gallery is in Powell Hall.
Virginia Tech's galleries include Squires Art Gallery in the student center and the Armory Art Gallery on Draper Road. Special art shows are offered periodically at the Cranwell International Center and the Donaldson Brown Center.
New River Valley museums help keep the heritage of the valley alive.
The Wilderness Road Regional Museum in the historic Newbern area of Pulaski County features dinners and special events throughout the year.
The upcoming schedule includes a Civil War Encampment, June 23-24; Colonial dinner, July 14; Fall Festival of Arts and Crafts, Oct. 13 and 14; Revolutionary War Living History, Oct. 20-21; Harvest dinner, Nov. 3; and Deck the Halls Open House, Nov. 20-25.
The museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. To get there, take Interstate 81 to Exit 32. Turn left onto Virginia 611. For more information on the museum and historic Newbern, call Daisy Williams, 647-5888.
The Montgomery Museum on Pepper Street in Christiansburg is open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Information about special displays is available by calling 382-2298 or 382-2626.
The Andrew Johnston House Museum and Research Center, 208 N. Main St., Pearisburg, is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for house tours and genealogical research.
The museum houses the Giles Historical Society. More information on the museum can be obtained by calling 921-1050.
Smithfield Plantation and Gardens, Blacksburg's 18th century house, is at the edge of the Virginia Tech campus off the U.S. 460 bypass. It is open to tours from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Nov. 1.
Virginia Tech has opened a new museum in the former Studio I building on North Main Street in Blacksburg. The Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History, a branch of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, opened last month with its first exhibition, "Diversity Endangered." For information on upcoming displays and hours at the museum, call 231-6773.
by CNB