MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Sept. 25, 2026) — Two standout programs brought crowds to Piedmont Arts in September, and one created a meaningful opportunity for youth to connect through music.
Savory September: New York, New York
Big city flavors met small-town charm on Sept. 18, when more than 130 guests gathered at the museum for Savory September: New York, New York, an annual fundraiser celebrating food, music, and community.
Local chefs brought New York City's flavors to life with an array of creative small bites, transforming the museum into a celebration of the city’s iconic culture. Guests explored themes inspired by the city’s famous bakeries and street food, Little Italy, the legendary Studio 54 nightclub, and the cinema classic, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Singer-songwriter Marie Anderson provided the evening’s soundtrack, with a lively repertoire of pop, rock, and blues that kept the energy going well into the night.
Local artist Mark Wright added his own New York-inspired touch, creating caricatures of guests in the style of the celebrity portraits displayed at Sardi’s, the legendary New York City institution.
Guests also had the chance to win an exciting selection of raffle prizes. Nancy Philpott took home a Piedmont Arts gift basket; Nicole DeShon Nelson won a cookie gift box created by Steph Cowart; Melody Margrave won two one-day passes to Rooster Walk in May 2027; and Johnny Pinkard won the grand prize — 50% of total raffle ticket sales.
Thanks to ticket and raffle sales, along with the generosity of an anonymous donor who matched funds up to $5,000, Savory September raised vital funds that will help Piedmont Arts continue offering free and low-cost exhibitions, programs, and experiences that connect the community with the arts.
Piedmont Arts extends its thanks to all of the chefs, guests, volunteers, and donors who made Savory September a success, as well as event sponsors VisitMartinsville, Diversified Trust, Ameristaff, Bassett Office Supply, Collinsville Printing Co., Daydream Photography, and Draper Flowers and Gifts.
“Looted Art: An Opening Journey to Resolution”
Karen Daly, the senior manager of provenance research at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, delivered a fascinating talk on looted art and provenance research to a crowd of 60 guests at Piedmont Arts on Sept. 24.
She discussed the history of art looting and presented four cases in which the VMFA acquired and extensively researched artwork to map its provenance.
Blues in the Schools
Around 500 students at Albert Harris and Meadow View elementary schools experienced Blues in the Schools, a program by musician Bobby “BlackHat” Walters and his band on Sept. 25.
The program introduced students to the history and enduring influence of the blues while inviting them to experience the music firsthand.
Walters is a vocalist, harmonica player, songwriter, producer, comedian, and actor. He has been playing harmonica for more than 50 years. He has opened for music legends B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, and Patti LaBelle, among others. He lives in Newport News, Virginia.
Blues in the Schools was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.
Piedmont Arts’ educational outreach programs are presented free of charge to students and schools. The museum reaches more than 5,000 students per year with its programming. To make a donation to the museum’s Kay Smith Education Fund, visit PiedmontArts.org/secure/donate.cfm.
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