I try to read The Roanoke Times every day. I'm old fashioned and like my paper copy. So does my mom. (She lives with us in Elliston, VA.) She reads the paper first and I ask her to save articles for me; that is, those that are arts related. (Just in case I don't have time and miss some important news.)
I chastised her this weekend as I almost missed the article about The Taubman Museum of Art by Kevin Kittredge. The Taubman? Guess Again. (Saturday, December 12, 2009)
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/229456
Kevin wrote about the Taubman Museum and invited readers to see comparisons to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. I encourage everyone to read Kevin's article. I teared up as I read it and felt a huge sense of pride about our arts community. We have a lot to celebrate even though times are incredibly tough.
Thank you Kevin for seeing the Taubman with "brand new - and in some ways, newly appreciative - eyes". Does every one need to go to Spain so they can come back with "new eyes"? Perhaps. But for now, ponder Kevin's reflections and see if you see our arts community with "new eyes" too.
Join us. The view really is spectacular!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Roanoke City Art Show
I'm very excited to blog today about the Roanoke City Art Show because it reminds me of the time that I was in the Juried Student Show at Radford University. Long story short, it was the first time I had ever been in a show and my work wasn't even that impressive - if you ask me. I had done a drawing of three fish changing into seaweed and guess what...I won the purchase award! Isn't that cool? So now my work is part of the permanent collection at Radford University and I even had the piece featured in my Exit Show.
But here I am blabbing on about myself when I should be telling you about the City Art Show! It's coming up this week - opening night is this THURSDAY the 1st. Be there - at Center in the Square - we're on the second floor - so now you know where...Well that answers the question of why I'm a poet and not a rapper.
Well I guess if I want you to attend, I'd better give you a little more info. As I said, the opening night is Thursday and the show will run October 2nd to November 8th. Gallery hours are 11 AM to 4 PM - and again, we're on the 2nd floor of Center in the Square. Look for our black and white City Art Show poster as well as our red and white Arts Council posters.
I hope to see you all there, I'll probably be the one with the camera!
But here I am blabbing on about myself when I should be telling you about the City Art Show! It's coming up this week - opening night is this THURSDAY the 1st. Be there - at Center in the Square - we're on the second floor - so now you know where...Well that answers the question of why I'm a poet and not a rapper.
Well I guess if I want you to attend, I'd better give you a little more info. As I said, the opening night is Thursday and the show will run October 2nd to November 8th. Gallery hours are 11 AM to 4 PM - and again, we're on the 2nd floor of Center in the Square. Look for our black and white City Art Show poster as well as our red and white Arts Council posters.
I hope to see you all there, I'll probably be the one with the camera!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Annual Meeting and The Count Down
Thanks to all of you who came out and supported us at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday night. We had a wonderful time seeing the Betty Branch exhibit and especially had fun listening to Carol Dalhouse talk about the Art Council's beginnings. While I was busy snapping photos, Ron B. was out in the audience, formulating what would later become a post on his blog. We really appreciate all you bloggers out there and all the work you do in the means of spreading the word. If you are a blogger and write about us sometime, be sure to email a link to me at msmith@theartscouncil.org.
For those of you who were not in attendance at the Annual Meeting SHAME on you.
...Just kidding. We prefer to look to the future rather than play fire and brimstone and we earnestly hope you'll join us for some of our upcoming events:
~Meagan Smith
Marketing Director
The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge
For those of you who were not in attendance at the Annual Meeting SHAME on you.
...Just kidding. We prefer to look to the future rather than play fire and brimstone and we earnestly hope you'll join us for some of our upcoming events:
- 40+40 Fest will run October 1st to November 9 and will include innumerous events, shows, and other fun things to attend. Be sure to pick up a copy of the 40+40 booklet around town or download it here.
- Roanoke City Art Show - Opening night is October 1st and the show runs Thursday - Saturday 11am-4pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm.
- Run for the Arts - The race will begin on October 17 at 9 AM, quickly followed by the beginning of the walk at 9:15 AM. Make sure to register by October 7th to save $10 and recieve a t-shirt!
~Meagan Smith
Marketing Director
The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Roanoke Arts Festival
Hello you faithful readers!
First off, let me introduce myself for I am not the Laura Rawlings you know and love. My name is Meagan Smith and I am the new Marketing Director here at The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge. I've worked here just over a month and have been given the task of really charging up our outreach. But enough about me! You're reading this to find out what great DEALS I have for YOU, right?
...Right. And what a great deal it is! Now I'm sure you all are fans of the 4040fest on Facebook or regular visitors to 4040fest.com and therefore already know what I'm talking about.
For the first week of October, you can purchase a Roanoke Arts Festival City Soul! ticket. At this point I'm sure you're expecting me to say what event the ticket is for - but that is where you would be mislead. This ticket not only gets you to one event, but 5! Not to mention the 1/2 price admission to The Taubman Museum of Art and other free events.
For only $57.50, you'll enjoy: Studio Roanoke Soul of the Studio, Southwest Va Ballet - Ties, Event Zone's Big Lick Blues Festival, Christian McBride at the Jefferson Center, and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's Opening Night. That's nothing to shake a stick at (I'm so bad with sayings, did I get it right?).
To purchase a ticket, pick up the phone and call 342-5790 ext 4 or visit our site.
Thanks for reading, hope to hear from you soon!
PS: Make sure to check us out in Mike Allen's blog!
First off, let me introduce myself for I am not the Laura Rawlings you know and love. My name is Meagan Smith and I am the new Marketing Director here at The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge. I've worked here just over a month and have been given the task of really charging up our outreach. But enough about me! You're reading this to find out what great DEALS I have for YOU, right?
...Right. And what a great deal it is! Now I'm sure you all are fans of the 4040fest on Facebook or regular visitors to 4040fest.com and therefore already know what I'm talking about.
For the first week of October, you can purchase a Roanoke Arts Festival City Soul! ticket. At this point I'm sure you're expecting me to say what event the ticket is for - but that is where you would be mislead. This ticket not only gets you to one event, but 5! Not to mention the 1/2 price admission to The Taubman Museum of Art and other free events.
For only $57.50, you'll enjoy: Studio Roanoke Soul of the Studio, Southwest Va Ballet - Ties, Event Zone's Big Lick Blues Festival, Christian McBride at the Jefferson Center, and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's Opening Night. That's nothing to shake a stick at (I'm so bad with sayings, did I get it right?).
To purchase a ticket, pick up the phone and call 342-5790 ext 4 or visit our site.
Thanks for reading, hope to hear from you soon!
PS: Make sure to check us out in Mike Allen's blog!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Roanoke Police Department and The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge
The Star City Harbinger has posted an important story about an amazing example of how the arts and local law enforcement are working together through Roanoke Youth Arts Connection.
Roanoke Youth Arts Connections partners the Roanoke Police Department, The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, the City of Roanoke's Public Art Program, area youth and local artists. Youth, that might otherwise be engaged in disconstructive activities during the summer months, will be redirected (and employed so they're learning job/life skills) through mural activities. The first mural will be located in an interior wall of Center in the Square's parking garage on Campbell Ave.
I should have included information about Roanoke Youth Arts Connection in my commentary to The Roanoke Times about the "Must See TV" event and regret the ommission.
Thank you to Hank Bostwick for contacting me and for posting this story!
http://starcityharbinger.com/?p=6359
Roanoke Youth Arts Connections partners the Roanoke Police Department, The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, the City of Roanoke's Public Art Program, area youth and local artists. Youth, that might otherwise be engaged in disconstructive activities during the summer months, will be redirected (and employed so they're learning job/life skills) through mural activities. The first mural will be located in an interior wall of Center in the Square's parking garage on Campbell Ave.
I should have included information about Roanoke Youth Arts Connection in my commentary to The Roanoke Times about the "Must See TV" event and regret the ommission.
Thank you to Hank Bostwick for contacting me and for posting this story!
http://starcityharbinger.com/?p=6359
The Arts and Communication
The arts community in Roanoke continues to provide me with opportunities to, as Socrates encouraged, examine my life and my personal philosophy. These past weeks have been filled with learning and awareness opportunities that challenge my own personal status quo as it relates to my world and my community.
I learned during a recent opening at Dialogue Gallery that I still have a ways to go in appreciating and understanding contemporary art.
I learned how Studio Roanoke is blurring the lines between real life and the actual set for their upcoming play "Ant Farm." I am sort of old-school that way and like my "fourth wall" clearly delineated, but it's good to push comfort zones.
I learned how electrical engineering and the arts intersect in the creation of new software programs while talking to a local software developer during the NewVA Corridor Technology Council annual meeting at the Hotel Roanoke.
I learned that the Columbine tragedy affected me more than I realized as I read Wally Lamb's epic novel "The Hour I First Believed."
And yes, I learned that I watch too much TV.
I knew of the "Must See TV" event, but was out of town serving on a grant panel for the Virginia Commission for the Arts. I could not foresee what would happen, but prior to the activity, it made me pause and reflect on my TV viewing habits.
The arts do that and I am grateful for their ability to remind me of what's important, where I fit in the scheme of things, why it's important to take a chance and connect to someone or something that is out of my comfort zone and, first and foremost, to stop for a moment and breath in life.
Yes, life is sometimes messy, catching us off-guard and making us think in new and challenging ways.
I learned that we must lend an extra hand to those organizations and individuals that might not quite get what we're all about, how the arts are really more about the communication that most often takes place between individuals trying to make sense of their world and where they fit in. This includes reaching across the aisles and inviting the non-usual suspects into our world, such as local government, law enforcement, religious organizations and youth groups.
I learned that The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge has work to do in regard to promoting and raising awareness about the arts in communicating different ideas, engaging the community in thoughtful and rigorous dialogues and encouraging the community to support the arts.
I think the participants in the "Must See TV" event also learned valuable lessons, as did our police force. I hope we can all continue to learn from this experience and from future activities that allow us to connect to each other in new ways, while pushing us to talk about difficult issues.
The arts are the vehicle in which to engage in these dialogues. Perhaps the unexpected will allow us to learn more about ourselves, not just today, but continuously as we experience the world together.
I learned during a recent opening at Dialogue Gallery that I still have a ways to go in appreciating and understanding contemporary art.
I learned how Studio Roanoke is blurring the lines between real life and the actual set for their upcoming play "Ant Farm." I am sort of old-school that way and like my "fourth wall" clearly delineated, but it's good to push comfort zones.
I learned how electrical engineering and the arts intersect in the creation of new software programs while talking to a local software developer during the NewVA Corridor Technology Council annual meeting at the Hotel Roanoke.
I learned that the Columbine tragedy affected me more than I realized as I read Wally Lamb's epic novel "The Hour I First Believed."
And yes, I learned that I watch too much TV.
I knew of the "Must See TV" event, but was out of town serving on a grant panel for the Virginia Commission for the Arts. I could not foresee what would happen, but prior to the activity, it made me pause and reflect on my TV viewing habits.
The arts do that and I am grateful for their ability to remind me of what's important, where I fit in the scheme of things, why it's important to take a chance and connect to someone or something that is out of my comfort zone and, first and foremost, to stop for a moment and breath in life.
Yes, life is sometimes messy, catching us off-guard and making us think in new and challenging ways.
I learned that we must lend an extra hand to those organizations and individuals that might not quite get what we're all about, how the arts are really more about the communication that most often takes place between individuals trying to make sense of their world and where they fit in. This includes reaching across the aisles and inviting the non-usual suspects into our world, such as local government, law enforcement, religious organizations and youth groups.
I learned that The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge has work to do in regard to promoting and raising awareness about the arts in communicating different ideas, engaging the community in thoughtful and rigorous dialogues and encouraging the community to support the arts.
I think the participants in the "Must See TV" event also learned valuable lessons, as did our police force. I hope we can all continue to learn from this experience and from future activities that allow us to connect to each other in new ways, while pushing us to talk about difficult issues.
The arts are the vehicle in which to engage in these dialogues. Perhaps the unexpected will allow us to learn more about ourselves, not just today, but continuously as we experience the world together.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Impressions from an Audience Participant
We came to make to share our stories and plead our cases. Our audiences? Roanoke County's Board of Supervisors. I didn't envy them; having to sit there and listen to programs and activities that probably won't receive funding.
As audiences go, they were very quiet and listened attentively. They said "thank you" after each presentation and I knew they felt badly about the "buzzer" that sounded when we went over the time limit. We understood why they did it. We'd still be there, talking about what we give back to the community each and every day, and hoping to be more persuasive than the next organization waiting in the wings.
I found myself rooting for each and every organization; not just the arts and cultural groups, although I did give our member organizations a "thumbs up" and "high five" to those whose eyes found mine as they walked out the door or back to their seats. It's tough to get up there every year and if nothing else, I wanted them to know that I understand and appreciate what they're going through. Maybe they might do the same for me next time; that is, when they go back to A-Z and not Z-A (The Arts Council was second to the last in our presentation and plea for funding.)
I wanted to provide a personal testimony for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and their program for small business owners. We are a recent participant in their consulting services and Tom Tanner was incredibly helpful. I know we are just one of hundreds of organizations he has helped throughout the years.
Then we heard from Richard Wells and Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. He talked about Gov Kaine's 400 acre conservation easement program, how the Friends are planting trees and the importance of raising awareness about this national treasure that's literally right in our backyards.
There was the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Virginia Ballet, Center in the Square, Opera Roanoke and other usual arts and cultural suspects. All of which made their cases for programs and activities that help our economy, contribute to the necessity of life (a colleague recently told me that he was no longer happy with the term "contribute to the quality of life and felt arts and culture were necessities. I agree with him; hence my new phrase and mantra) and help area students succeed.
Perhaps there's a place for all of us. I encourage the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors to find a way for all of us to garner their support. If you can't honor our full requests, that's okay. Please know that any support is greatly appreciated and helps us leverage other/outside funding streams back into our communities.
We all have really tough jobs, but we love them dearly or we wouldn't be here. However, Roanoke County Supervisors have the toughest jobs right now. Let's support them and know that they must make difficult choices, but this is no reflection on the work we are doing. It's just the world we live in right now.
As audiences go, they were very quiet and listened attentively. They said "thank you" after each presentation and I knew they felt badly about the "buzzer" that sounded when we went over the time limit. We understood why they did it. We'd still be there, talking about what we give back to the community each and every day, and hoping to be more persuasive than the next organization waiting in the wings.
I found myself rooting for each and every organization; not just the arts and cultural groups, although I did give our member organizations a "thumbs up" and "high five" to those whose eyes found mine as they walked out the door or back to their seats. It's tough to get up there every year and if nothing else, I wanted them to know that I understand and appreciate what they're going through. Maybe they might do the same for me next time; that is, when they go back to A-Z and not Z-A (The Arts Council was second to the last in our presentation and plea for funding.)
I wanted to provide a personal testimony for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and their program for small business owners. We are a recent participant in their consulting services and Tom Tanner was incredibly helpful. I know we are just one of hundreds of organizations he has helped throughout the years.
Then we heard from Richard Wells and Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. He talked about Gov Kaine's 400 acre conservation easement program, how the Friends are planting trees and the importance of raising awareness about this national treasure that's literally right in our backyards.
There was the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Virginia Ballet, Center in the Square, Opera Roanoke and other usual arts and cultural suspects. All of which made their cases for programs and activities that help our economy, contribute to the necessity of life (a colleague recently told me that he was no longer happy with the term "contribute to the quality of life and felt arts and culture were necessities. I agree with him; hence my new phrase and mantra) and help area students succeed.
Perhaps there's a place for all of us. I encourage the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors to find a way for all of us to garner their support. If you can't honor our full requests, that's okay. Please know that any support is greatly appreciated and helps us leverage other/outside funding streams back into our communities.
We all have really tough jobs, but we love them dearly or we wouldn't be here. However, Roanoke County Supervisors have the toughest jobs right now. Let's support them and know that they must make difficult choices, but this is no reflection on the work we are doing. It's just the world we live in right now.
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