Roanoke is in the international spotlight for the entire month of May with a plethora of annual festivals like Festival in the Park and the new Roanoke Tattoo Festival, bringing people from everywhere to see the best of Roanoke. Our local festivals are garnering more attention thanks to the international acclaim of the Taubman and official recognition of events like Local Colors. The continual contribution from the Taubman in hosting the Sidewalk Art Show and the efforts of people like the organizers behind the first ever Roanoke Tattoo Festival will keep the arts and cultural momentum of South West Virginia moving forward.
1) The Roanoke Tattoo Festival and ArtFusion
Friday May 8th, 3-11pm, Saturday May 9th, 11-11pm, Sunday May10th, 11-7pm Downtown Roanoke & The Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Ave
Roanoke, VA 24016
Since the ancient Greeks the human body has been cherished as the highest form of art. So, what could be a better Mothers Day gift than a tattoo? Tattoo artists do more than emulate the human body; they celebrate it. Whether a tattoo is seen as a decoration or an expression of inner significance the artistry is paramount, because 2nd chances don’t come easy. The local interest and quality of this traditional art form was established with the earlier success of the Tattoo Art and Fashion Show at the Taubman Museum. The first ever Roanoke Tattoo Festival and the associated Art Fusion experiment promise to be sensational.
Artists for these events are hand selected from around the globe and are recognized among the best in the tattoo industry. The artists attending will not only be showing off their work and giving seminars. They are also providing permanent and temporary tattoos and several contests will be held throughout the festival, with live music adding to the atmosphere. The ArtFusion Experiment is a public performance offering tattoo artists a chance to come together and collaborate on fine art pieces in various mediums. The 2009 ArtFusion Experiment will be taking place at the Southwest Virginia Art Museum here in Roanoke. Afterward, there will be a silent auction with the proceeds benefiting a local children’s charity. For a complete festival schedule and a list of guest artists for setting up appointments go to www.roanokeink.com
2) Local Colors Festival
Saturday, May 16, 11am – 5pm
Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke
Every year countries from around the world come together in downtown Roanoke in a brilliant display of embraced multi-culturalism, for the Local Colors Festival. This joyful display of nationalistic harmony is the culmination of functions hosted by the Local Colors organization throughout the year. It along with its supporting associations and organizations like the Refugee and Immigration Services Office make Roanoke the first in depth sampling of the United States for many immigrants and visitors. Each country presents the pride of their nation through this annual celebration of culture in dance, music, costume, food, arts, crafts and games. The Local Colors Festival was awarded as an Outstanding Event in SWVA by the Library of Congress, because it reflects the ability of the United States to unite independent uniqueness in a cooperative manner that uplifts everyone.
Throughout the year Local Colors works with schools, colleges, neighborhoods, retirement communities, government, businesses, and civic organizations to promote diversity and multi-cultural understanding. Annually it culminates in the third weekend of May with the renowned Local Colors Festival. The festival is covered by the media in many countries and is one of the largest events in Roanoke, drawing between 25,000 to 30,000. For information about the festival or any of the year-long multi-cultural programs go to www.localcolors.org or contact Pearl Fu at (540) 904-2234 or 580-0341 or send mail to pearlfu@aol.com.
3) The Taubman Museum of Art Sidewalk Art Show
Saturday & Sunday May 30th-31st, 10-5 PM
Taubman Museum of Art
Downtown Roanoke
International attention garnered buy the new museum heightens the awareness and selectivity of this years Sidewalk Art Show. Before the christening of the Taubman Museum of art this weekend long show and sale had already become one of the largest art shows on the East Coast. It now has the potential to attract international interest and artists. The juried show always features superb original artwork from prominent artists. Additionally, the Taubman Museum of Art takes pride in accepting high quality lesser known local and regional artists to give patrons an intermingling of promising new artists amid a beautiful arrangement of established artists. All fine art mediums are available and on Sunday the best of each will be recognized.
The exhibits will be outside the Taubman and around Roanoke’s historic Market Square, home of several local businesses, shops and restaurants. Proceeds from the show benefit the Taubman Museum of Art education and outreach programs, including Art Venture, summer camps and education programs for adults. For more information go to http://taubmanmuseum.org or call 204-4115 or email SAS@taubmanmuseum.org
4. “American Pride And Passion” by Eric Curry at the Link Museum
May 14-July 21, 2009 in Robert Kulp Trackside Gallery.
Strongly inspired by the works of O. Winston Link as a young man, Eric Curry is an industrial photographer who is broadening the scope of Link’s original vision. With the advent of digital photography, Eric uses his strong technical background and multiple night exposures in a style sometimes called “painting with light” to create almost surreal visions of subliminally patriotic scenes. His work references values of honor, character, integrity and teamwork using subjects such as old cars, planes and trains et al as metaphors for the American spirit. Visit Eric’s website at www.americanprideandpassion.com.
There will be an opening reception for “American Pride and Passion” on May 14 at 7pm at the O. Winston Link Museum. Call Allie at 540-982-5465 or visit www.linkmuseum.org for more information.
5. High School Art Exhibition at Center in the Square
Seventeen Regional High Schools will participate in The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge’s annual High School Art Exhibition. This year makes the 25th anniversary of this unique program, which allows students to learn how to submit their art work, write an artist statement and listen to a juror’s point of view in making selections for an exhibition. Paul Ryan, Professor of Art at Mary Baldwin College, will serve as this year’s juror and has selected 147 pieces out of over 700 submitted.
The High School Art Exhibition will take place in the Second Floor Galleries in Center in Square in downtown Roanoke. The exhibition will run through May 31. Thurs. – Sat. 11am-4pm.
6. “Florida Hybrids” an exhibition of photographs by Susan Crowder at Angelo
The Florida Hybrids photographs suggest a future where synthetic plants replace natural ones and blend in seamlessly. If the rapid extinction of the natural word continues perhaps science and art can engineer change that seems like growth rather than loss. The exhibit runs May 1 through June 30.
There will be an opening reception for the Artist on Friday May 1, 5:30 till 7:30 pm. At Angelo 220 East Main Street on the Downtown Mall. Call 971-9256 for more information or visit www.angelojewelry.com.
7. “Letters from the Earth” at Market Gallery
“Letters from the Earth” opens April 28 and runs through June 20. Located on the historic City Market, on the corner of Salem and Wall Streets across from Wachovia Tower, The Market Gallery is open Tues-Sat, 10-5:30. 23 Salem Avenue; (540) 342-1177.
8. “Encryptions” by Susan Patrick at the Nelson Gallery in Lexington
Lexington’s Nelson Gallery in downtown Lexington, features “ENCRYPTIONS,” an exhibit of seven acrylic paintings by Charlottesville artist SUSAN PATRICK. Also on display is work by nine gallery members. Nelson Gallery, an artists’ cooperative, is open daily from 11 to 5 but is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. The public is invited to enjoy art at the changing monthly exhibits. For more information, call 540-463-9827 or visit www.nelsonfineartsgallery.com.
9. Visions of Smith Mountain Lake Exhibit at the Little Gallery
Art work by many artists showcasing the beautiful landscapes at Smith Mountain Lake will be on display May 16 – 31 at the Little Gallery at Smith Mountain Lake. There will be an opening reception Saturday, May 16 from 1 – 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.thelittlegallerysml.com.
10. Featured Artist, David Eakin at Signature 9 Gallery
Featured Artist David Eakin will exhibit his work at Signature 9 Gallery. Show runs May 5-31 with opening reception May 7 in conjunction with Art By Night. Visit www.signature9gallery.com for more information.
11. 16 Hands Studio Tour in Floyd and Montgomery Counties
May 2 and Sunday May 3, 10am-5pm
Come and Tour four different artist’s studios in Floyd and Montgomery County. Featuring beautifully crafted pottery and woodworking made by 10 local and visiting artists. For a tour map and more information please visit our website at www.16hands.com
12. “Reflections” by John Bishop at Art Pannonia
The Exhibition runs from June 3 to August 4, 2009.
John Bishop is a self taught artist, with background in graphic and web design. He is creating various forms of art. His favorite medium is oil on canvas. He paints abstracts images, landscapes, wildlife and portraits. His use of energetic colors gives each painting a positive and uplifting sensation. John is young, but very good. His work is open to various interpretations. It will be interesting to watch his art mature. Do come and meet him, some day you will be proud you were present at John Bishop’s first public reception.
A Meet the Artist reception will be held on Friday, June 5, 5 – 7pm in the Art Pannonia gallery. Call (540)552-0336 or visit www.artpannonia.org for more information.
13. Architectonic Logic: Silt-cast Stoneware by Chris Gryder
Eleanor D.Wilson Museum, Hollins University
Main Gallery
May 5 – June 27, 2009
Closing lecture and reception: Friday, June 26, 6pm
Richard Wetherill Visual Arts Center, Art History Lecture Hall, Room 119
Trained as an architect, Chris Gryder is inspired by the methods and ideas often associated with architecture: structure, geometry, pattern, and tactile form. His silt-cast tiles and vessels emerge at the crossroads of organic and geometric form. In the artist’s words, “within the shallow bas-relief surface of my work, is a compressed amalgam of the natural world and the human world.” Gryder earned his Bachelor of Architecture at Tulane University, New Orleans, and his MFA in ceramics at the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence. He also studied for five years with Paolo Soleri at Arconsanti in Mayer, Arizona, where he refined his silt casting technique. Gryder has exhibited internationally, and his work is in numerous public and private collections. With this exhibition, the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum is pleased to debut Ecliptic, a major commission that will be installed in July 2009 at Florida State University/Panama City.
14. Senior Majors Exhibition
Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, Hollins University
May 5 – May 17, 2009
Campus preview: Tuesday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Family reception: Saturday, May 16, 1-3 p.m.
Featuring the work of: Sarah Black, Meghan Foster, Julia Garland, Kimberly Kennedy, Sharon Mirtaheri, Meritha Rucker, Ashley Viers, Leigh Werrell, and Meg Umberger. The Senior Major Exhibition is the final requirement for students earning their Bachelor of Arts at Hollins and is the capstone experience of their senior project. Each of the participating artists will exhibit work from their final undergraduate portfolio that represents the culmination of their work.