MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Nov. 14, 2024) — Piedmont Arts has been exceptionally busy providing stellar arts education programming at area schools this season. Offering everything from in-school concerts and literary lectures to classes and performances in the galleries, students of all ages from Martinsville and Henry County have participated.
The Foster Gallery hosted a reception for students from Albert Harris and Patrick Henry Elementary Schools on Oct. 17. The Foster Gallery is a rotating gallery space that showcases works by students from all 19 area schools. Student artists and their families are invited to a celebration showcasing their talent. Co-hosted by Charity League of Martinsville-Henry County, this event is an empowering experience for students who love to see their creations on the walls of a museum.
On Oct. 25, students from Patrick Springs Primary Schools took a field trip to the galleries where they were led through the exhibits by Education Coordinator Jennifer Gravely. Students participated in a scavenger hunt through the artwork and created mosaic artwork in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden. Tours are offered free of charge to area schools and can be scheduled by emailing Jennifer at jgravely@piedmontarts.org. These field trips are a great way to expose children to the arts and provide stimulating and exciting opportunities.
Piedmont Arts is excited to announce the return of Wee Create! Wee Create! is geared for preschool students and a trusted adult to gather at the museum to create seasonally themed crafts. On the morning of Oct. 29, children came to the museum to get creative and paint and decorate spooky Halloween crafts. The next class will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. More information about registering for Wee Create! can be found at PiedmontArts.org.
Preschool in the Galleries is another great event offered to local preschoolers. With a rotating slate of artists from the Martinsville High School Jazz Band to Carlisle School’s youth theatre troupe Zip Zap Zop and Gale Buck, the Storytelling Santa Claus, there’s always a great reason to bring your little ones to the museum. The full schedule of these events are on PiedmontArts.org and classes and individual students can register by e-mailing Jennifer Gravely.
In addition to these amazing in-gallery opportunities, Piedmont Arts’ arts education has branched out into area schools. Brass 5, a lively brass band out of Roanoke, Va., entertained students from Stanleytown and Rich Acres elementary school with their program that teaches them through demonstration the importance of music in their everyday lives. These performances were partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Finally, on Nov. 14, humorist and scholar Dr. Elliot Engel made an appearance at Carlisle School and taught gathered 8th-12th grade students about Edgar Allen Poe. The 9th grade is currently studying Poe’s works so this presentation tied directly into their curriculum. Dr. Engel also spoke in the galleries that evening to a sold-out house. His lecture, “Da: Vinci: Before the Code” was well-received by the large crowd.
Piedmont Arts prides itself on its three pillars: visual arts, performing arts, and arts education. These offerings, as well as the adult classes offered, make up a tremendous portion of the way Piedmont Arts gives back to the community.
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