ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 27, 1996 TAG: 9609270073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BEDFORD
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER STAFF WRITER
Virginia Honig says she volunteered to help Zim Jackson put on this year's Centerfest sidewalk art show because she wanted to exhibit some of her watercolors.
Honig, who calls herself a "hobby painter," coordinated the show for several years when it was sponsored by the Bedford Chapter of the American Association of University Women. But for a couple of years, the show was not held.
It returned last year with only 11 exhibitors; afterward, the AAUW, citing its own lack of manpower and its need to concentrate on its own juried show in the spring, withdrew its support. Members, however, did offer to assist Jackson, who had participated in earlier shows and had expressed an interest in continuing the show.
Honig says she couldn't coordinate the show by herself, but she did volunteer to work with Jackson, doing mailings and answering telephone calls for Saturday's art show.
"I don't have Zim's joy in life about doing that kind of thing," Honig says of Jackson's efforts.
"During my entire 37-year career, I didn't have time to do paintings on the weekends," says Jackson, noting that many art shows did not have a category for commercial art.
After retiring on disability because of impaired hearing, he started exhibiting his caricatures and paintings in shows, including the AAUW Centerfest show. He even helped with the marketing for last year's show.
Taking over the sponsorship, he says, is his way of contributing to the understanding and appreciation of visual arts. Jackson credits Honig, the AAUW, and his wife, Ann, with what he calls the success of his first show.
Twenty-five artists are expected to participate in Saturday's show at Bridge and Main streets.
The show is just part of the activities for the 15th annual Centerfest celebration, sponsored by Bedford Main Street Inc. Events run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Bedford.
Plantation Days, which will include a Civil War re-enactment and tours, will be held at the historic Avenel house.
Various community groups will offer children's activities. There will be crafts and food for sale, as well as entertainment throughout the day. The Little Town Players, Thaxton Baptist Church Choir, Pickerals Crossing Band, English Family Gospel Singers and the Tony James Band will perform in addition to square and line dancers. The Whitehorse Band will entertain from 4 to 7 p.m.; the Fabulous Cruisers will play for a street dance from 7 to 11.
In case of rain, the art show will be held in Bedford Presbyterian Church, with proceeds going to Bedford Christian Ministries, which assists the needy, sick and those down on their luck.
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