Join moderators Natalie Hodge Davis and Jennifer Reis for a listening session about Piedmont Arts from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Piedmont Arts. Share your thoughts on the future of the museum and how it can positively impact the community.
Community members are also invited to complete a public input survey about their experiences at Piedmont Arts and how the museum can shape these experiences in the future. The survey can be accessed on the museum’s website. It will remain open through Sept. 30. Submit a survey by Friday, Sept. 12, to be entered in a drawing for two tickets to Savory September: Wild, Wild West.
Take the Survey
Sponsored by Brightspeed and Carter Bank.
Set sail on the high seas of fun at Ahoy, Mateys! Pirate Family Day from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16 in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden.
This free, pirate-themed event features crafts with Heart to Art Creative Corner, games and snacks.
Pirates of the Piedmont will perform Celtic-inspired music that is fun for all ages. The upbeat jigs and reels of traditional Celtic music serve as inspiration for this band of rapscallions from Martinsville. They put a contemporary spin on traditional songs by incorporating rock and folk elements. Their performances are an exuberant celebration of Celtic music, encapsulating the spirit of the raucous sea shanties and soul-stirring ballads that have been passed down through the ages.
All ages are welcome. Admission is free. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be held at Piedmont Arts.
Admission Free
Sponsored by Marty Gardner, Olivia and Pres Garrett, Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, Janet Lewis and Brad Johnson, Lynwood Artists, Sovah Health, Barbara and Guy Stanley and What's Your Sign.
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of its new exhibits from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8 at Piedmont Arts. A gallery talk will be held at 6:15 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
Exhibits on view:
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Wednesday, Aug. 6.
RSVP here
Artists with work on display in Expressions 2025 should pick up their work between 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, July 26 at Piedmont Arts.
Piedmont Arts will not assume responsibility for artwork left in the gallery after the designated pickup date. Any artwork (including that which has been purchased) will be resold, donated or otherwise removed from the premises if unclaimed after 30 days. All work must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit. For more, see the "Expressions" entry rules below.
If you are unable to pick up your work on the designated date, email Director of Exhibitions and Marketing Bernadette Moore at bmoore@piedmontarts.org to arrange an alternative pickup date.
Sponsored by Burton & Company. Support provided by Food Lion on Greensboro Road.
Due to the threat of inclement weather, Franks + Dranks will be held at Piedmont Arts. Tickets are available online until 3 p.m. and at the door.
Don’t miss the music, food and fun from 6-9 p.m., Friday, July 18 under the museum’s spacious pavilion.
Jake Earles will bring the perfect mix of country, Americana and soul music to the event.
The franks will be sizzling and the dranks will be flowing. Enjoy a meal of hot dogs and fixings whipped up by local all-star chefs Shane Pinkston and Will Gravely, as well as chips, cookies, soft drinks and water. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the cash bar.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for ages 12 and under. Food is included with admission. Tickets are available online until 3 p.m. and at the door.
Piedmont Arts will honor Marty Gardner and VisitMartinsville for their support of the arts at the 23rd annual Clyde Hooker Awards at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 18 at Piedmont Arts.
The museum will also recognize Arts in Education Award recipient Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County and the recipients of the Nicodemus Hufford and Harold Knowlton Work Memorial Art Scholarships.
The awards ceremony will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of an admission cost, please consider making a donation to the Piedmont Arts Scholarship Fund here. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Tuesday, June 17.
About the Clyde Hooker Award
The Clyde Hooker Award was established in 2003 by the Piedmont Arts Board of Directors to recognize individuals and businesses in Martinsville-Henry County who have made significant contributions to Piedmont Arts and the arts and culture in our area. The award is named in honor of J. Clyde Hooker Jr. for his generous support of the arts.
RSVP here
Co-hosted with Starling Avenue Cards and Comics in partnership with VMFA Statewide Programs.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts educator Christopher Irving will perform a reading from his book, "Leaping Tall Buildings: The Origin of American Comics," and present a slideshow of comic book creator portraits ranging from Joe Simon, the co-creator of "Captain America," to emerging talent in the comic book field. Guests will learn about the history of American comics through quotes by famous creators such as Stan Lee (Marvel Comics, "Spider-Man"), Frank Miller ("Batman: The Dark Knight Returns"), Art Spiegelman ("Maus"), Chris Ware ("Building Stories"), Harvey Pekar ("American Splendor") and Dennis O’Neil ("Batman").
Irving is a comic book and popular culture historian. He received a BFA in arts education from Virginia Commonwealth University and a MA in literary criticism from Brooklyn College. He currently serves as consulting editor of the magazine, "Comic Book Creator."
A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. The talk will begin at 7 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Wednesday, June 11.
RSVP Here
Presented by Lynwood Artists and Piedmont Arts. Sponsored by Sovah Health and King's Grant.
Join Lynwood Artists and Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of "Expressions 2025" from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the museum. An awards ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. in the galleries. Complimentary wine and light refreshments will be served.
Exhibits on view:
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Wednesday, May 28.
RSVP Here
Presented by Lynwood Artists and Piedmont Arts. Sponsored by Sovah Health and King's Grant.
Artists living within a 100-mile radius of Martinsville, Va. are invited to enter work in Expressions 2025 on the following dates:
All entries must be made during the designated time frame. No early or late entries will be accepted.
“Expressions” is an annual open-entry exhibition presented by Lynwood Artists and Piedmont Arts. All submitted works in compliance with the entry rules are accepted into the exhibition. Up to two pieces of art may be submitted per artist. Artwork submitted for entry must have been completed within the last two years. Work previously exhibited in "Expressions" is not eligible.
The exhibit will be judged by Gretchen Carr, gallery manager at Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley, W.Va. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in seven categories, as well as purchase awards, the Lynwood Artists Award and Best in Show.
Artists should review the entry form with complete entry rules before submitting work. Entry forms are available at Piedmont Arts and at the link below.
Presented by Lynwood Artists and Piedmont Arts. Sponsored by Sovah Health and King's Grant.
Artists living within a 100-mile radius of Martinsville, Va. are invited to enter work in Expressions 2025 on the following dates:
All entries must be made during the designated time frame. No early or late entries will be accepted.
“Expressions” is an annual open-entry exhibition presented by Lynwood Artists and Piedmont Arts. All submitted works in compliance with the entry rules are accepted into the exhibition. Up to two pieces of art may be submitted per artist. Artwork submitted for entry must have been completed within the last two years. Work previously exhibited in "Expressions" is not eligible.
The exhibit will be judged by Gretchen Carr, gallery manager at Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley, W.Va. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in seven categories, as well as purchase awards, the Lynwood Artists Award and Best in Show.
Artists should review the entry form with complete entry rules before submitting work. Entry forms are available at Piedmont Arts and at the link below.
This engagement is made possible in part through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Online ticket sales end at 5 p.m. on the day of the performance.
Actor and playwright Debra Ann Byrd will perform the one-person play “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey,” Thursday, May 8 at Piedmont Arts.
The play is a gripping and realistic tour de force that chronicles Byrd’s journey from a single mother in Harlem to an award-winning classical actor tackling the role of Othello. Interspersed with multimedia elements and verses from Shakespeare’s original play, she bares her soul in this vulnerable and resonant story of perseverance, discovery and unconditional love.
Byrd is the founding artistic director of the Harlem Shakespeare Festival and artistic director at Southwest Shakespeare Company in Arizona. For her portrayal of Othello, she won an outstanding achievement award from Audelco and a best lead actress award from Broadway World Phoenix. She has served as writer-in-residence at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, artist-in-residence at the Folger Institute and the Southwest Shakespeare Company and as a community scholar at Columbia University. "Becoming Othello" was written by Byrd and directed by Shakespeare & Company founder Tina Packer.
A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. The run time for this performance is 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission. This show is based on Byrd’s real-life experiences and includes content that may be distressing. Contact Executive Director Heidi Pinkston at hpinkston@piedmontarts.org for content-related questions.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students in grades K-12. Tickets are nonrefundable.
Take the Bus to Broadway to a matinee production of "Kimberly Akimbo" Sunday, May 4 at Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, N.C.
The winner of five Tony Awards including one for best musical, "Kimberly Akimbo" is a hilarious and heartwarming story about growing up and growing old, in no particular order. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. She is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.
The musical features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (“Shrek”), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home”), choreography by Danny Mefford (“Dear Evan Hansen”) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone.
The van will depart at 10:30 a.m. from Piedmont Arts for a 1 p.m. performance at DPAC. The van will return to Piedmont Arts immediately following the performance.
Tickets are $180 per person. A boxed lunch option is available for an additional $10 and must be ordered in advance.
Join Piedmont Arts for a farewell reception in honor of Pedro Szalay from 3-5 p.m., Friday, May 2 at Piedmont Arts.
Szalay is retiring from Southwest Virginia Ballet at the end of June. He has served as the ballet's artistic director for more than 18 years. He has impacted the lives of many youth and adults in Martinsville-Henry County through programs like Minds in Motion, Dance Español and Dancing for the Arts. Help Piedmont Arts wish Szalay a fond farewell as he and his husband Mark Shepherd begin a new chapter of the lives in Scotland.
“When I started this work almost 20 years ago it was about the teaching and helping our dancers to improve,” Szalay said. “Now, as all this time has passed, it’s so powerful to think of the impact we’ve made together in people’s lives and beyond that, the way Southwest Virginia Ballet has lifted dance, the arts and the entire Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. Those are the memories I will keep with me forever.”
This events free and open to the public. Please RSVP attendance by Wednesday, April 30.
RSVP Here
Students attending Axton, Sanville and Stanleytown elementary schools will have work on display April 15-May 10 in the Foster Gallery.
A free reception for the students and their families will be held from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, April 30 at Piedmont Arts.
The Foster Gallery is an important part of Piedmont Arts’ community programming. Exhibits in the gallery have been curated in partnership with Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County for more than 25 years. A new exhibit is installed every six to eight weeks to allow work by students from all 19 schools in Martinsville-Henry County to be displayed during the year.
Admission Free
Sponsored by Carter Bank.
Join Piedmont Arts and Beegins With You for a fun Family Day featuring a puppet-making craft, Easter egg hunt and a giant puppet parade by Paperhand Puppet Intervention from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, April 12 in the Art Garden.
Paperhand Puppet Intervention is a unique puppet theater based in Saxapahaw, N.C. Its members have been creating giant papier-mâché puppets, masks, shadow plays and spectacle performances since 1997. As part of their parades they tell stories, beat drums and encourage interaction. Their award-winning performances aim to be an inspiration, a call to action and a celebration for everyone to enjoy.
This event is free and open to the public.
Admission Free
Join emcee Anna Wheeler for a fun open mic night from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, April 10 at Piedmont Arts. Grab the mic and express yourself through music, poetry, or comedy. Performers may sign up for a five-minute spot upon arrival.
This event is free to the performers and audience. A cash bar will be available.
Admission Free
Sponsored by Olivia & Pres Garrett, Janet Lewis, Beverly & George Lyle, Lynwood Artists, Anne & Eric Smith and Sovah Health.
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of its new exhibits. A gallery talk will be held at 6:15 p.m. followed by an interpretive dance performance in conjunction with Pieter Bain's exhibit "Untethered." Complimentary refreshments will be served. Music by Spencer Koger.
Exhibits on view:
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Wednesday, March 26.
RSVP Here
Nominations Due: 5 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2025
Piedmont Arts is accepting nominations for the 2025 Clyde Hooker Award, which honors supporters of the arts in Martinsville-Henry County. Nominees should be individuals or businesses that are involved in and support Piedmont Arts and other arts and cultural organizations in the region. Recipients of the Clyde Hooker Award will be honored at a special reception.
About the Award
The Clyde Hooker Award was established by the Piedmont Arts Board of Directors in 2003 to recognize individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to arts and culture in Martinsville-Henry County. The award is named in honor of J. Clyde Hooker Jr. for his generous support of Piedmont Arts and the arts in Martinsville-Henry County.
Make a Nomination
Use the links below to make a nomination online or download a PDF of the nomination form.
Students attending Carlisle, Meadowview, Mt. Olivet and Carver elementary schools will have work on display March 4-April 12 in the Foster Gallery.
A free reception for the students and their families will be held from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 at Piedmont Arts.
The Foster Gallery is an important part of Piedmont Arts’ community programming. Exhibits in the gallery have been curated in partnership with Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County for more than 25 years. A new exhibit is installed every six to eight weeks to allow work by students from all 19 schools in Martinsville-Henry County to be displayed during the year.
Admission Free
Sponsored by Martinsville Eyecare Center, VisitMartinsville, Atlantic Union Bank, Bassett Furniture, Inc., Diversified Trust, First Piedmont Corporation, Martinsville Family Medicine, Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc., Snyder Orthodontics, Stone Dynamics, Inc., Greg James Insurance, Lou Harris, Inc., Young, Haskins, Mann, Gregory, LLC, Draper Flowers & Gifts, Third Bay Cafe
Ladies and gentlemen! Get ready for a fun night of food, drinks and entertainment at Under the Big Top: The Greatest Fundraiser on Earth from 7-10 p.m., Friday, March 7 at Piedmont Arts.
This circus-themed event will feature food, drinks and entertainment, including live music by Four Brothers Jazz, a 360-degree photo booth, caricatures, carnival games and circus performers. Guests should dress in “carnival cocktail” attire or cocktail party clothing with a colorful, circus-themed flair.
Guests can also take part in a 50/50 raffle and a live auction for a chance to throw a pie at beloved community member Pres Garrett.
Tickets are $75 per person and include unlimited light bites, beer, wine and cotton candy champagne cocktails. 50/50 raffle tickets start at $5 a piece. Game tickets are $5 for three games or $10 for eight games. Caricatures are $20 each. Proceeds support Piedmont Arts programming in Martinsville-Henry County.
50/50 Raffle
Guess the number of peanuts in the tub and win big. The closest guess without going over will win 50% of the raffle pot and all the peanuts. The winner will be announced Friday, March 7 at Under the Big Top: The Greatest Fundraiser on Earth. Raffle tickets will be available at the event.
Click here to see an image of the tub of peanuts.
Make sure to include your guess in the comments when checking out.
This event has been canceled due to inclement weather.
Students attending Carlisle, Fieldale-Collinsville, Laurel Park and Martinsville middle schools have work on display through March 1 in the Foster Gallery.
A free reception for the students and their families will be held from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Piedmont Arts. If schools are closed due to inclement weather on Feb. 19, the Foster Gallery reception will not take place.
The Foster Gallery is an important part of Piedmont Arts’ community programming. Exhibits in the gallery have been curated in partnership with Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County for more than 25 years. A new exhibit is installed every six to eight weeks to allow work by students from all 19 schools in Martinsville-Henry County to be displayed during the year.
Sponsored by Carter Bank, Kappa Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Martinsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Snacks provided by Food Lion, Greensboro Road.
The annual African American Read-in + Family Day will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Piedmont Arts. Lyrical artist Taye the Truth and storyteller Fred Motley will perform. Visitors can view books on loan from the collection of Joyce and Kenneth Staples. A craft for kids and snacks will be available. This event is admission free. All ages are welcome.
Event schedule
| 10 a.m. | Performance by Taye the Truth |
| 10:30 a.m. | Story time with Fred Motley |
| 11 a.m. | Performance by Taye the Truth |
| 11:30 a.m. | Story time with Fred Motley |
| 12 p.m. | Read-in in the galleries |
This event is held in conjunction with the National African American Read-in, a groundbreaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering on African American books and authors. The initiative was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. It has reached more than six million participants around the world.
Admission Free
Poet and scholar TJ Anderson III will discuss his journey as a writer and share readings from his award-winning poetry.
Anderson is a professor of English at Hollins University. His research focuses on jazz poetry, African American literature, and the work of Aimé Césare. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Cairo University where he conducted research on the influence of jazz on contemporary Egyptian music. He is the author of six books and the acclaimed spoken word album “Blood Octave.”
A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. The talk will begin at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged. RSVP attendance here.
Admission Free
Sponsored by Olivia & Pres Garrett, Ben Gravely, Shana & Japhet LeGrant, Lynwood Artists and Barbara & Guy Stanley. Words Matter and Bjørn Sterri: Family Photographs were organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of its new exhibits. Free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and light refreshments. Music by Joanie McPeak.
Please RSVP attendance here.
Admission Free
Sponsored by Stifel and Stateline Aesthetics. This performance is partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Online ticket sales end Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 p.m. Tickets will be available at the box office.
There’s no better way to lift your spirits than with the music of the season delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. David Stewart Wiley conducts the Holiday Pops with all the magical elements you have come to expect — high energy, familiar carols and lots of holiday warmth. Guest soloist Michael Lynche from American Idol will join the symphony for this special performance.
Featuring guest soloist Michael Lynche. Lynche is a new breed of soul singer with completely classic influences. Traces of Donny Hathaway, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke and James Brown all seem to flash in this uniquely talented performer. Undeniable charisma, well-crafted song arrangements and a voice soaked in soul give the big man class all his own. “Big Mike” — as he was known while winning over the hearts of a nation during his stint on American Idol — has talent so versatile, he’s played intimate jazz and blues clubs, 20,000 seat arenas, and opera halls with 100-piece orchestras backing him. Through it all “Big Mike” has always had one singular goal: to spread a message of love wherever he goes.
Event Schedule
| 1:30 p.m. | Lobby and box office open |
| 2 p.m. | Auditorium opens |
| 3 p.m. | Concert begins |
Family or individual adult WIC cardholders with ID receive free general admission. Tickets can be picked up at Piedmont Arts or at the door on the night of the event.
Altrusa will collect non-perishable food items for Grace Network in the lobby during the symphony's performance.
Sponsored by Chip Wyatt-State Farm, Press Glass, Carter Bank
Piedmont Arts will kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the Art Garden Christmas tree from 4 – 6 pm. Enjoy holiday music by the Martinsville High School Jazz Band and the First Baptist Church Choir, Gale Buck: Storytelling Santa, snacks and crafts. This event is free and open to the public.
Just like the sculptures in the Art Garden, the Christmas tree will be a work of art. Created by Ian Hogg using more than 3,000 lights, the tree will be lit at sunset and brighten the Art Garden through New Year’s Day.
Sponsored by King's Grant
Join Piedmont Arts for a lecture by the incomparable humorist and scholar Dr. Elliot Engel. Optional catered dinner begins at 6 p.m. Lecture begins at 7 p.m.
Many scholars consider Leonardo da Vinci to be the greatest artistic genius in the history of Western Civilization. Dr. Elliot Engel will probe the breadth and depth of da Vinci's extraordinary mind while revealing the fascinating causes for his many unfinished masterpieces. He even tackles the universal mystery of Mona Lisa’s smile.
Dr. Engel has taught at the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and Duke University. He has written 10 books published in England, Japan, Turkey, and the United States. His mini-lecture series on Charles Dickens ran on PBS television stations around the country. His articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and national magazines including Newsweek. Hehas lectured throughout the United States and on all the continents, including Antarctica. He was inducted into the Royal Society of Arts in England for his academic work and service in promoting Charles Dickens in 2009. He lives in Raleigh, N.C.
Sponsored by Brenda Ayers, Bunco Babes, Chix with Stix, Martha Drane, Floyd Quilt Guild, Inc., Marty Gardner, Suzanne Hutchens, Lynwood Artists, Anne & Gene Madonia, Nancy Philpott, Betty Lou & Ron Pigg, Stitch Party Studio, Julie Thomas, Virginia Consortium of Quilters, Virginia Foothills Quilters Guild and Lynn & Noel Ward
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of The Art of the Quilt. Free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and light refreshments. Music by Ann Nichols.
RSVP attendance by Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
Enter to win a quilt created by members of Virginia Foothills Quilters Guild. Quilt donated by Karen Despot. $5 per entry. Winner announced Friday, Jan. 10.
Join Piedmont Arts for a day trip to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to view Fine Arts & Flowers. This spectacular museum-wide exhibition is presented by The Council of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts with creative floral designs by Garden Club of Virginia, Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, and Ikebana of Richmond. Ticket includes:
Seating for this trip is limited. Call 276.632.3221 or email Programs Coordinator Lauren Ellis at lellis@piedmontarts.org for more information.
Get ready to jump, jive, and wail to live music by Bob Peckman Jazz Band at this hip Swing Dance Party. Some of your favorite Dancing for the Arts choreographers and coaches may even make a special appearance. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Band performs at 7 pm.
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