EVENTS & NEWS

Please find below a listing of current and upcoming craft/art classes, exhibitions and Appalachian Arts Center news. To learn more about previously offered events and/or courses, please search our ARCHIVE. Not all courses are offered every semester, so if you are interested in a class, demonstration or event that has taken place in the past and you would like to see it offered again, please ask! We are happy to accommodate your interests and requests.


EXHIBITIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS

JULY 1-SEPTEMBER 13
"The Old Archie Helton Store: A Tribute" - an exhibit of photos by Clyde Helton and display of some original items sold in the store.
A reception for the show will be held Friday, July 18 from 4:30-7:00 pm.

The Appalachian Arts Center is proud to announce our current exhibition The Old Archie Helton Store: A Tribute. The exhibit is a celebration of Archie and Maxie Helton’s impact on our community featuring a collection of photographs taken by Clyde Helton, one of Archie and Maxie’s sons. The photos show the store along with images of the Helton’s coal mining and wheat thrashing work. Maxie Helton, Archie’s wife, was accomplished at Bunka needlework and several pieces of hers are on display at the Arts Center as well. A special part of this exhibition is a display of cowboy hats, boots, and western belts that were purchased from the “Archie Helton Store”. These items have been donated from the community for this exhibition.

The Old Archie Helton Store: A Tribute will be on display at The Appalachian Arts Center located in the “Old Archie Helton Store” on Rt. 19—2.5 miles south of Claypool Hill.

AUGUST 11-16
Artisans from the Appalachian Arts Center will be participating in this year's Tazewell County Fair. The Arts Center will have a booth up all week with artists, craftspeople, and local authors demonstrating and selling their work each evening from 4:00-8:00 pm. The booth will be adjacent to the Heritage Tent. Stop by, meet our artists, and make a $.50 donation for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the Appalachian Arts Center.

SEPTEMBER 16-20
Appalachian Arts Center Calls for Entries in Juried Senior Art Exhibit

Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens (AASC) and the Appalachian Arts Center invite artists and craftspeople to enter Inspired: A Juried Senior Art Exhibit.

Entrants must be at least 55 years old and live within 100 miles of the Appalachian Arts Center. Any medium of art or craft is eligible for this exhibition, excluding work created through kits or formulaic processes. Entries must have been created within the past decade.

Artists may choose to sell their work if it is accepted, with the Arts Center taking a 30% commission on the retail price.

Entrants may drop off work at the Arts Center Sept. 16-20 from noon to 5:00 p.m. The artwork will be exhibited at the Center Sept. 30-Oct. 31, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 5:30 p.m. AASC will host an open house reception on Friday, Oct. 10 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the exhibit.

For specific guidelines, please contact Robyn Raines at the Arts Center, at 276-596-9188 or e-mail her at robyn.raines@sw.edu.

The Appalachian Arts Center is located in the "old Archie Helton Store" on Rt. 19 in Wardell (2.5 miles south of Claypool Hill).  The Arts Center is a retail gallery, exhibition space, and educational resource featuring work of over 130 local artists, craftspeople, authors, and musicians. 

AASC is one of Virginia’s 25 Area Agencies on Aging designated by the Virginia Department for the Aging to carry out the department’s mission to foster the dignity, independence and security of older Virginians by promoting partnerships with communities at the local level. AASC offers information and services for older adults residing in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties. Visit the organization’s website at www.aasc.org or call toll-free at 1-800-656-2272.

NEWS

JUNE 2008
Several artisans from the Arts Center participated in the Richlands Festival. Patsy Aliff, Doug Branton, Adda Leah Davis, Peggy Herbert, Mary Martin, Cassie Ogle, and William Kyle Wimmer displayed, demonstrated, and sold their arts and crafts in the local Richlands banks on June 20, 2008.

CLASSES: FALL

For more information about classes, please call the Appalachian Arts Center at 276-596-9188. Registration is available through the SwVCC Admissions Office in Tazewell Hall or on the internet at www.sw.edu.

KNITTING FOR BEGINNNERS
CRF 195-30, class #60630
Tuesday evenings, August 26-September 30, 2008
6:00-8:00 pm (AAC) 1 credit
This 6-week class is geared for the beginning knitter. We will cast-on, bind-off, knit, and purl. We will use single-point & circular needles. Plus, we will felt and read patterns. All skills and techniques will be taught in project formats. By the end of the class, each student will have at least 3 finished projects and the basic skills to keep on knitting. Estimated material cost: $40.

TOPICS IN QUILTING: Paper and Machine Piecing
CRF 195- 31, class #60631
Wednesday evenings, September 3-October 8, 2008
6:00-8:00 pm (AAC) 3 credits
This class will be taught by Jan McClure and Robyn Raines. Beginners will learn the basics of both paper and machine piecing, while experienced students will delve deeper into more difficult piecing projects. The class will work on several samplers and at least one finished project, using hand quilting. .The class will go over all of the supplies and materials needed, as well as the tools of the trade. Material cost will vary depending upon student's preference.

TOPICS IN INTERMEDIATE KNITTING
CRF 195-32, class #60632
Monday evenings, October 13-November 17, 2007
6:00-8:00 pm (AAC) 1 credit
Do you know the basics of knitting, but would like to add more skills under your belt? In this class, students will have the opportunity to choose 2-3 projects which will teach a variety of techniques, including: increasing, decreasing, double-pointed needles, socks, gloves, and more. Students taking this class should already know how tocast-on, knit, purl, & bind-off. Material cost will vary depending on student's preference.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR ARTISANS CURRICULUM:

This 29 credit career studies certificate program is designed to provide training in diverse business skills to local craftspeople and artists interested in self-employment and as a means to promote and preserve the rich arts and craft traditions of our area.

FALL SEMESTER
CRF 100	Survey of Hand Crafts	3 credits
ENG 101	Practical Writing 1	3 credits
BUS 116	Entrepreneurship	3 credits
PSY 120	Human Relations	3credits
SDV 108	College Survival Skills	1 credit
SPRING SEMESTER
MKT 100	Principals of Marketing	3 credits
ACC 134	Small Business Taxes	3 credits
ART 287	Portfolio and Resume Preparation	3 credits
MKT 282	Principles of E-Commerce	3credits
BUS 165	Small Business Management	3credits
ART 290	Coordinated Internship	1 credit