Piedmont Arts Association facts for kids
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| Established | 1961 |
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| Location | 215 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia |
| Type | Nonprofit |
Piedmont Arts, also known as the Piedmont Arts Association, is a special place in Martinsville, Virginia. It's an art museum and a learning center for everyone. This museum works with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. It's also officially recognized by the American Alliance of Museums, which means it meets high standards.
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Discovering Piedmont Arts History
Piedmont Arts was started in 1961 by local artists. One of these artists was Jessamine Shumate. They were encouraged by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to create local art groups.
In 1976, a company called E.I. DuPont deNemours Company let the artists use a house. This house was called the Lynwood House. The artists then called themselves Lynwood Artists. They began showing art by artists from their area in the Lynwood House.
Growing the Art Association
Also in 1976, the group officially became the Piedmont Arts Association. By 1978, they became an Affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This meant they had a closer connection.
In 1981, the Schottland family gave their estate to Piedmont Arts. This gift gave the museum a permanent home. They started a fundraising campaign to fix up the building. They raised more money than they needed for renovations. The extra money was used to create a special fund for the organization.
Expanding the Museum Space
In 1995, Piedmont Arts started a new campaign. It was called the Shared Vision Campaign. The goal was to raise money to make the museum even better. They wanted to add a new part to the building. This new section would have more art galleries, a classroom, and a performance hall.
In April 1997, they began building the new wing. It officially opened in April of the next year. This expansion gave Piedmont Arts more space for art and activities.
Achieving Museum Accreditation
In April 2004, Piedmont Arts received an important award. They were given accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. This happened after they spent a year studying their own operations. This award shows that Piedmont Arts is a high-quality museum.
Exploring Visual Arts at Piedmont Arts
Piedmont Arts shows many different art exhibits each year. They host up to six exhibits annually. These shows feature art from artists all over the world.
Main Art Galleries
Big art shows are displayed in three main galleries. These are the Hooker-Garrett, Pannill, and Box Mezzanine galleries. These are some of the museum's six art spaces.
Local and Regional Art
Art by local artists is shown in the Lynwood Artists Gallery. This gallery is named after the original group of artists. They were the ones who first started Piedmont Arts. This gallery is also managed by these founding artists.
Art Around the Community
Piedmont Arts also brings art outside the museum. They have a public art program in Martinsville and Henry County. This program includes six murals in Uptown Martinsville. There are also 28 art mobiles placed around the community. You can also find four sculptures in public spaces.
Discovering the Art Garden
In 2017, Piedmont Arts opened a special outdoor area. It's called the R.P. Gravely-A.J. Lester Art Garden. This garden is like an outdoor art gallery. It has three sculptures made by artists from Virginia. These artists are Ed Dolinger, Jessie Ward, and Mark Wright.
Historic Features in the Garden
The Art Garden is also home to the museum's Little Post Office. This post office started in 1893. It was a stop on the United States postal service star route. The garden also has a very old tree. It is a 100-year-old Remarkable Tree of Virginia.
Enjoying Performing Arts
Piedmont Arts started a performing arts series in 1991. This means they host live shows. Over 20 years later, their On Stage series is still popular.
The On Stage Series
The On Stage series features up to five performances each year. These shows include many different types of performances. Some famous artists have performed here. These include Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Step Afrika!, Sam Bush, Barrage, Cherish the Ladies, and Aquila Theatre.
Learning Through Art Education
Piedmont Arts brings art education programs to schools. These programs reach students in Martinsville, Henry County, and nearby areas. Students from elementary to high school get to experience art.
School Outreach Programs
Through these programs, students can see plays and musical performances. They also get to join workshops with artists. These outreach programs help bring art directly to students.
Museum Learning Opportunities
The museum also offers guided tours for visitors. Kids can go on gallery Treasure Hunts. There are also free crafts and games in the Discovery Room. These activities make learning about art fun.
Student Art Exhibits
All art students in Martinsville and Henry County schools can show their work. They can display their art in the museum's Foster Gallery. This gallery has changing exhibits of student artwork. The Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County manages this gallery.
