Exhibit Opening Reception

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:

• Expressions 2025

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.

Leaping Tall Buildings: The Origin of American Comic Books

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" 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. 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.

Clyde Hooker Awards

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.