2014 Bedford County High School Art Exhibit - Education through the Arts

A sampling of the outstanding art work
in the 2014 Education through the Arts
exhibit at Bower Center in May

A record number of over 600 works of art by Bedford County High School art students (Jefferson Forest HS, Liberty HS and Staunton River HS) was recently exhibited at Bower Center. The high caliber of the art work is a tribute to the talented students and the instruction in the schools to nurture their creativity. The Center was packed with students and parents for the awards that were presented at the Second Friday reception on May 9.

Botanical II exhibit is now open to the public

Art Work L to R:
"Silhouette" by Leah Thompson, "Bursting with Life" by Leslie Santapaul
and "Midnight Garden" by Lennie Richardson

The artists' reception for Botanical II will be Second Friday, April 11, 5pm-8 with awards being presented at 6pm.


Exhibit dates: March 25 - May 3, 2014

The exhibit, judged by Beverly Rhoads, artist and an associate professor at Lynchburg College, is in the Performance Hall Gallery, Main Lobby Gallery and Terrace Gallery on the lower level.

Another component to this exhibit is the addition of floral arrangements by area floral designers. They will be viewing the exhibit entries and make selections of art works that inspire floral designs. These will be on view the last weekend of the exhibit on May 2 and 3. There will be a reception on Friday May 2, 2pm-4 to recognize those designers. Artists who created the art currently exhibited as well as the general public is invited to this May 2 reception at Bower Center.

Gingerbread Visions II

There is still time to enter a gingerbread creation into Gingerbread Visions II. 

The deadline has been extended to December 5 in order to have gingerbread houses up for Sunday, December 8, when Bower Center, along with other art venues will be open (1pm-6) - same day as the Christmas Home Tour. 

Then there is Second  Friday ... December 13, 5pm-8, when the Center will be open for the 
Americana reception. We want to have gingerbread creations, too!













Gingerbread houses can be small or large, plain or fancy! The choice is yours. Join in the fun and either  individually or as a family or club group, make something ... there is no entry fee!

Have question? Call Bower Center during office hours: Tues-Sat, 11am-6pm or leave a message .... or ... email us at bowercenter@gmail.com

Little Mountain Boys come to Bower Center - November 30

To whet the appetite of Bedford's love of Bluegrass music, The Little Mountain Boys have been invited back to Bower Center for another concert.

The Little Mountain Boys are a group of individuals who play a wide range of music, ranging from bluegrass, country and gospel. Some of the music they grew up with and some they composed.

On Second Friday, December 13 at PM there will be a special free holiday concert - The Roanoke Chamber Brass. This is another return performance!

Festival of Trees at Bedford Welcome Center

Bower Center's tree is up!!! 

Executive Director Sara Braaten took the Center's student intern Angelique to help set up and decorate the tree.

During Second Friday activities and after school classes area students and young children helped make the red and white ornaments that have been hung. Be sure to go visit the Bedford Welcome Center (Rtes 460/122) to see Bower Center's tree and all the others that make up the 2013 festival of Trees.

Vote for your favorite ... support area youth with a vote for Bower Center's tree!

Current Exhibit: 3-in-1 Sculpture, Plein Air and Architectural/Architectural Elements

Still time to see the current "3-in-1" exhibit ... It will be up though Saturday, October 5. Included are bronze equine statues by Joe Collins, sculptural wall hangings by Edrie Bays, whimsical mosaics by Sergei Troubetzkoy and architectural subjects by Revelle Hamilton. 

The next exhibit will be "Color My World" that will open on October 8 - reception on second Friday, October 1 1, 5-8pm

Steve Garay is back with Tai Chi

Photograph from wedmd website

Monday nightTai Chi classes return September 9,  6:30pm-7:30

Steve Garay will be back 
from a summer break to 
teach the popular 
24 form Yang Style Tai Chi.

Steve is trained to teach Sun and Yang style Tai Chi and Qigong, including programs specially designed for those with diabetes and arthritis, and Tai Chi Cane and Sword forms.

Why do Tai Chi? It is a fun and easy exercise to learn. It is a low impact exercise that consists of slow, relaxed movements that help to develop internal and external balance and harmony, improve circulation and fitness levels, and increase oxygen to our bodies. The moves are practiced in a slow controlled fashion that relaxes the body and clears the mind. Regular practice of Tai Chi Ch’uan slowly, yet measurably, improves ones overall fitness and harmony, including relaxation, balance, posture, flexibility and immunity.

Photograph from AVSED website

Photograph from likthestar blog

The Mayo Clinic (on its website) recommends Tai Chi based on preliminary studies showing possible benefits beyond stress reduction, such as: reducing anxiety and depression; improving balance, flexibility and muscle strength; reducing falls in older adults; improving sleep quality; lowering blood pressure; improving cardiovascular fitness in older adults; relieving chronic pain; increasing energy, endurance and agility and improving overall feelings of well-being.

The cost is $30.00 per month, with on-going classes; pay instructor at the beginning of each month. No pre-registration necessary.

Suzanne V Paddock offers Oil Painting

Self Portrait Ready for La La Land

A charter member of TECAC, 
The Electric Company Artists' Co-op, 
207 E Depot in Bedford, New York native Suzanne V Paddock has quickly become 
a presence in the area and is recognized for the strength in her style. Paddock's oil paintings gained much area attention recently when she unveiled her Lincoln series.

Our Home

She is offering a fall Oil Painting at Bower Center. The class size is small in order to provide plenty of one-on-one attention.

Gentleman with Two Crows

Her class will be based on three points she has used to create her own style:

Basic Pencil Drawing Exercises
Understanding Color 
Developing a Philosophy (about your own work)

September class: 4 - 2 1/2 hour sessions will be held
Tuesdays and Thursdays  
6 PM-8:30
Sept 10, 12, 17, 19
Fee: $115.

Bring supplies based on supply list from instructor, except colors for the color lesson, which are provided.

Go to www.bowercenter.org to register.  

Encaustic Wax Painting with Donna Nevers - Sept 7 & 8

Donna Nevers is returning once again to share her love of the encaustic wax process.

Painting with molten beeswax is an art that dates back to the 5th century B. C. It is probably best known for Fayum funeral portraits of the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.

Circle of Friends
by Donna Nevers

Beautiful Blue Ridge
by Donna Nevers

Imagine!!! 
Think out of the Ordinary! 

Incorporate basic 2-D encaustic wax techniques to make 3-dimensional

elements and create magic.

Learn to dip and mold common objects with molten wax. Combine them with collages, transfers and found objects. Finally, learn the art of pouring wax for smooth surfaces.

Have fun in this two-day workshop
Saturday and Sunday, September 7 & 8 
9:30 AM-4:30 PM.

$175. (includes supplies)

Bedford's Architectural Heritage

Sunday afternoon 
August 18 at 3 PM 
Terrace Gallery in Bower Center















Bedford Director of tourism Sergei Troubetzkoy returns with another "Cultural Reflections" program. This time it will be a Power Point presentation that will provide a brief overview of the major architectural styles found in Bedford from the early 19th century into the 20th century.

Bower Center's Sunday afternoon "Cultural Reflections" Series are free and open to the public.

15th Annual Poetic and Musical Spotlight

Saturday, August 17,

7:30 PM -9:30

This program is free and open to the public

Sandra Nelms-Ludwig started this annual poetry and music presentation in 1999. This year we are excited to announce it will be held at the Bower Center on August 17th at 7:30pm. This annual event spotlights local poets and musicians. Each poet will read his or her original poems. Local musicians will play various musical instruments and sing original and favorite covered songs. The musical selections will be interspersed throughout the poetry reading. This year’s participants include 92 year old, Rev. Allen Blanks, who will return to read his original poetry and poetry written by his mother; Lovely Zion Chorus with foot-patting gospel harmonies; and teen, Sully Smither, songwriter and guitarist who will perform his latest songs.

Participants

Participant	Performance	Community
Rev. Allen Banks	Original Poetry	Lynchburg
June Hamlett	Original Poetry	Lynchburg
Barbara Wood	Original Poetry	Evington
Bobby Ray Kendricks	Original Poetry	Martinsville
David Henley	Original Songs	Salem
Sully Smither	Original Songs and Guitar	Smith Mt. Lake
Susan Massie	Original Poetry	Big Island
Lovely Zion Chorus	Gospel Music	Town of Bedford
Joy Barefoot	Original Poetry	Town of Bedford
Charlotte Farley	Singing and Piano	Town of Bedford
Sandra Ludwig	Original Poetry	Town of Bedford

Come and enjoy an evening of creative expression from talented individuals in our community. For more information contact the Bower Center or Sandra Ludwig at 540-874-4723.

Juried Exhibition Awards Winners

It was 6 PM on Second Friday, August 9 in Bower Center's Concert Hall Gallery. The air was buzzing in anticipation of the results to be announced for the 2013 Bower Center National Juried Exhibition awards being presented by Juror/Judge, Susan Jamison.






1st Place
"Cat in the Hat Music Box"
Watercolor
Rod Adams, Bedford VA










2nd Place
"Taco"
Bronze Sculpture
Joe Collins, Goode VA

3rd Place
"Evensong" 
Art Quilt
Bonnie Venable, 
Roanoke VA

Award of Merit
"Galloping Waterfall"
Stoneware
Alicia Daily, Goode VA














Award of Merit
"Sasha - Practice at Sebring"
Photograph
Steve Romine,
Lynchburg VA


















Award of Merit
"They Appear More"
Acrylic/Collage
Bill Stamats, Cedar Rapids IA

Second Friday - Awards reception for Bower Center's 2013 National Juried Exhibition

Imaginary World by Stephen Brailo
and
Highland Orchard by Emmy Krick

Roanoke artist Susan Jamison, Juror/Judge for the 2013 Bower Center National Juried Exhibition, will present the awards this evening at 6PM in the Concert Hall Gallery. 55 works by 29 artists comprise this exhibit that hangs in the Concert Hall Gallery, Terrace Gallery and Main Lobby Gallery.

The exhibit continues through Saturday, August 31.

Mosaic Mirror class starts Thursday, August 1

6 - 10" square mirrors
Materials used include:Crystal Colorfusion glass,
Van Gogh glass,Bisazza Opus Romano,
iridescent glass, millefiori

Resident artist Dotti Stone will be teaching a Mosaic Mirror class beginning Thursday, August 1 - meets four consecutive Thursdays, 6-8:30 pm in the classroom just past the office.

Students will use a variety of colorful tiles to create a 10" square accessory mirror. 


Make something for your home or create a one of a kind gift for someone special.

Register now! Find full details on Bower's website
Go to: www.bowercenter.org   or stop in the Bower Center office.

Bower's July Arts Camps

Music
Pottery 
Papier Mache 
Mosaics  
Photography 
Digital Art 
Drawing & Painting ... 
creative enrichment activities, 
that, in addition to new kids, 
others have been returning 
to enjoy year after year.


A two room pottery studio - one space for slab building and one for wheel thrown pottery await students.

A classroom with two large tables and shelving with various types of glass and porcelain tiles, glass nuggets, pebbles and other materials inspires creative designs for lasting mosaics.

The Terrace Gallery is transformed into a classroom for papier mache and drawing and painting during arts camps weeks and students not only create their own work but are inspired by current exhibitions. 






In the background are several art works in the 2013 Bower Center National Juried Exhibition.

.

2013 Bower Center National Juried Exhibition is up!

Susan Jamison is the juror/judge for Bower Center's National Juried Exhibition that was just installed. Exhibit committee members, Rob Jarvis, Pat Dougherty, Revelle Hamilton and Dotti Stone handled the installation of 55 arts works that include 2-D and 3-D works in a variety of media.

A reception will be held on Second Friday, August 9, 5-8PM and the awards will be presented by Susan Jamison at 6. Resident artist and pianist Karen Carter will provide music for the evening.

The exhibit will remain up through Saturday, August 31.

Second Friday Welcome Committee! Rob Jarvis

A nice steady stream of visitors dropped in on Second Friday, July 12 ... and who could resist the friendly face and charm of our official greeter Rob Jarvis at the front door.

Please note the reminder of Another Roadside Attraction next to the table.
Mark you calendar for Saturday night, July 27, 7:30 PM.

Arts Camp - "Y" week

Pottery

Area "Y" youth from Goodview, Forest and Bedford "Y"s returned to Bower Center for a second summer of a three-day arts camp. Each day a different "Y" group came in, the younger children in the morning and older in the afternoon.

Painting

Making selections for a mosaics project

Karen leading a cup dance

Classes included Pottery, Painting 
& Drawing and Mosaics on Tuesday and Wednesday, and those, plus dance on the third day. Judy Hylton, Linda Keltz, Dan Perkins, Dotti Stone and Karen Carter rounded out the team of instructors.

It was a crazy, hectic, fun few days and the kids had such a great time with these hands on creative activities.

We look forward  to having them back the summer of 2014.

Another Roadside Attraction

Another Roadside Attraction

Saturday, July 27, 7:30 PM

Tickets:

$10. in  advance  
can be purchased 

through www.lynchburgtickets.com

$12. at the door

The Attraction’s signature sound is equal parts gypsy jazz, vaudeville, circus funhouse, and riverboat steam, rattled around in a boxcar for a couple thousand miles.

Oil Painting with Suzanne V Paddock

New oil painting class in August & September

Our Home

Suzanne V Paddock is offering oil painting classes that will be small to ensure plenty of one-on-one time. She will be sharing three points she has used to create her own style:

Basic Pencil Drawing
Understanding Color
Developing a Philosophy

Saturdays:
11AM-1:30 PM
August 10, 17, 24, 31
$115.

Tuesdays & Thursdays:
6PM-8:30

Self Portrait - Energy of the Hands

September 10, 12, 17, 19
$115.

Bring supplies based on a supply list from instructor.
Exception: Supplies for color lesson are provided

Paddock is a frequent exhibitor at 
Bower Center, is a member of 
The Electric Company Artists' Co-op 
in Bedford, The Smith Mountain 
Arts Council, Bald Knob Artists, 
and is represented by 
2nd Helpings in Roanoke.

Gentleman with Two Crows

Paddock's work focuses on the emotional threads triggered by relationships (intimate and public), memories, irony, loss and death. 
She draws upon her interest in illustration to create figures and skyscapes to convey real and fictional conversations. Paddock uses her expressive style cathartically to heal and explore her life's journey.