Bedford’s Little Town Players

931 Ashland Avenue, P.O. Box 437
Bedford, VA 24523

Celebrating its 30th year, the Little Town Players continues to bring outstanding community theatre to the Bedford region. Hundreds of volunteers have helped build sets, operated lighting and sound, conducted publicity or helped with many other backstage tasks during the company ’s three decades of dramas. musicals, and comedies. President Reagan presented the Little Town Players with the Volunteer Action Service award. All performances are at the Elks National Home theatre.

Telephone: (540) 586-5881
www.littletownplayers.com

Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra

621 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504

Classical music, holiday concerts, and virtuoso guest performers are offered by The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, which is entering its third decade of performances. The orchestra is led by Conductor and Music Director Bruce Habitzruther.

Telephone: (434) 845-6604
www.lynchburgsymphony.com

Sedalia Center

1108 Sedalia School Road
Big Island, VA 24526

On more than 14 acres, with the Blue Ridge Mountains as backdrop, The Sedalia Center offers a range of activities as a cultural and educational institution. The center has attracted thousands of people who attend classes, camps, concerts, plays, and Native American powwows. The center has a ball field, soccer field and horse show/livestock ring, an outdoor stage, and covered pavilion that seats as many as 400 people. The center is noted for its festivals: blues, bluegrass, gospel and Celtic, which celebrate music and dance. The center has also hosted a county fair and chili cook-off.

Telephone: (434) 299-5080
Web site: www.sedaliacenter.org

Bedford Council for the Arts

The Cultural Committee of Bedford Main Street, Inc.
P. O. Box 672
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-2148
E-mail: arts@bedfordmainstreet.org
Web Site: www.bedfordmainstreet.org

What could have more cachet than something handmade or created in the Blue Ridge Mountains? The Bedford area has wonderful artists, who work in numerous media, and artisans, who keep early American traditions alive and who, at the same time, share their artistic sensibility with the community and visitors from outside the region.

Bower Center for the Arts

PO Box 362
Bedford, VA 24523
(434) 525-9781

The Bedford Academy for the Arts at the Bower Center creates opportunities to engage in visual and performing arts through high quality education, group and individual instruction, presentations, performances and personal involvement. Through coordination and collaboration of an array of individual artists and organizations, Bedford Academy for the Arts improves the quality of life through exposure to an ever expanding menu of cultural arts education. The inclusive programming provides a solid educational base as well as a creative outlet that supports personal growth and development at any age stage of life.

Bower Center
305 North Bridge Street
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-4235

The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake

Bridgewater Plaza
16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy.
Moneta, VA 24121
(540) 721-1596
www.thelittlegallerysml.com

The Little Gallery, on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, is excited to be celebrating its"20th" Anniversary this year. Owners Carol Swain and Kay King offer artistic expression rendered in original artwork with oils, acrylics, pastels, and watercolors. Serigraphs, limited edition prints, photography and much more can be found here. More than 200 internationally and locally known artists are represented, with their creations of originals, hand made jewelry, blown glass, stained glass, sculpture, pottery and wood. Voted by Southern Living Magazine as "A Favorite" store, voted "Best Of The City" by Roanoke readers and "the place to buy unique gifts".

The gallery features monthly shows and weekend art demonstrations on the deck. The Little Gallery is truly a rare find and one that will keep you coming back as often as possible to see all the new treasures that come in weekly. Open 7 days a week.

Rainbow Tree Artisan Gallery

117 South Bridge Street
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-6206

The Rainbow Tree is a gallery and studio that specializes in glass art and custom framing. Owner-artist Cindy Conner has helped revive the lost art of fused glass, first developed by the ancient Egyptians. She creates sculptures, masks, plates, bowls, and other objects by softening or melting glass pieces in a kiln so they can be fused and molded according to her vision. Conner also produces works of stained glass, mostly for architectural applications or home furnishings. The gallery offers, on consignment, the work of other local and international artists, who produce pottery, jewelry, clocks, and other handcrafted items. The Rainbow Tree can fill orders for custom-made pieces, such as stained-glass cabinet doors or handmade furniture. The gallery offers classes in association with Central Virginia Community College.

Other Galleries & Artists:

• This Olde Mill

• Evington Iron Werks

• Audrey’s Virginia Rose

• The Peaks Alpaca Shop

• Blue Bird Estate Jewelry

• The Prissy Parrot

Please visit the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s web site to see a full list and contact information for Artists and Galleries located in the Bedford Area.

www.bedfordareachamber.com

The Moneta Arts, Education and Community Center
Rt. 122, Timberwood Lane
Moneta, VA 24121
(540) 721-2904 or (540) 297-5511

The Center at the Lake, is a proposal set for 25 acres just off Rt. 122, on Timberwood Lane in Moneta. The site offers a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the West and Peaks of Otter to the North. The facility will offer a performance hall with raised stage and the capability of seating 500 for dinners and many more for theater or conference seating. A concert hall, which may be constructed later if the project is carried forth in stages, will have a sloped floor, full theater stage, a balcony and seating for 750. Additionally planned is a separate education building, offering dedicated rooms for school classes, various types of crafts and artistic endeavors such as dance, music and acting. All three school districts surrounding the Lake have expressed strong interest in busing students to such a facility while both Virginia Western Community College and Central Virginia Community College are anxious to provide off-site courses at the Center. Design consultants expect the facility to cost about $15 million, and fund-raising is in the early stages. Organizations interested in receiving a slide presentation detailing the project may contact foundation president, Don Fink at 540-721-2904 or board member Charlie Walker at
540-297-5511.

Emerson Creek Pottery

1068 Pottery Lane
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 297-7884
www.emersoncreekpottery.com

Handmade and hand-painted, Emerson Creek pottery has graced kitchens and dining rooms since 1977, when Priscilla Palmer and Jim Leavitt fired their first ceramic creations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They began their lines of dinnerware, bake ware, pitchers, tea sets, vases, lamps and other items in a 19th century two-room, two-story log cabin, where they operate a retail outlet today. Palmer created patterns based on nature: flowers, herbs, and fruit. She developed the technique of using glazes that absorb natural pigments. The Emerson Creek artisans deftly apply the strokes of a design with a Japanese sumi-e brush dipped into a colored glaze. They do not use templates or stencils. Each ceramic pattern has been mastered from one of Palmer ’s original designs, and although the patterns remain unchanged from one pot to another, each piece is unique, because the artists ’ strokes are never exactly alike.

Emerson Creek makes its own clay and glazes from Jim Leavitt’s formulas. After the hand-made ceramic pieces have been decorated with one of Palmer ’s patterns, they are fired in a gas kiln.

Emerson Creek pottery has been featured at Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, at George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, and at the Smithsonian Institute. The company’s log-cabin outlet welcomes visitors.



				Bedford’s Little Town Players 931 Ashland Avenue, P.O. Box 437 Bedford, VA 24523 Celebrating its 30th year, the Little Town Players continues to bring outstanding community theatre to the Bedford region. Hundreds of volunteers have helped build sets, operated lighting and sound, conducted publicity or helped with many other backstage tasks during the company ’s three decades of dramas. musicals, and comedies. President Reagan presented the Little Town Players with the Volunteer Action Service award. All performances are at the Elks National Home theatre. Telephone: (540) 586-5881 www.littletownplayers.com Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra 621 Court Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504 Classical music, holiday concerts, and virtuoso guest performers are offered by The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, which is entering its third decade of performances. The orchestra is led by Conductor and Music Director Bruce Habitzruther. Telephone: (434) 845-6604 www.lynchburgsymphony.com Sedalia Center 1108 Sedalia School Road Big Island, VA 24526 On more than 14 acres, with the Blue Ridge Mountains as backdrop, The Sedalia Center offers a range of activities as a cultural and educational institution. The center has attracted thousands of people who attend classes, camps, concerts, plays, and Native American powwows. The center has a ball field, soccer field and horse show/livestock ring, an outdoor stage, and covered pavilion that seats as many as 400 people. The center is noted for its festivals: blues, bluegrass, gospel and Celtic, which celebrate music and dance. The center has also hosted a county fair and chili cook-off. Telephone: (434) 299-5080 Web site: www.sedaliacenter.org Bedford Council for the Arts The Cultural Committee of Bedford Main Street, Inc. P. O. Box 672 Bedford, VA 24523 (540) 586-2148 E-mail: arts@bedfordmainstreet.org Web Site: www.bedfordmainstreet.org What could have more cachet than something handmade or created in the Blue Ridge Mountains? The Bedford area has wonderful artists, who work in numerous media, and artisans, who keep early American traditions alive and who, at the same time, share their artistic sensibility with the community and visitors from outside the region. Bower Center for the Arts PO Box 362 Bedford, VA 24523 (434) 525-9781 The Bedford Academy for the Arts at the Bower Center creates opportunities to engage in visual and performing arts through high quality education, group and individual instruction, presentations, performances and personal involvement. Through coordination and collaboration of an array of individual artists and organizations, Bedford Academy for the Arts improves the quality of life through exposure to an ever expanding menu of cultural arts education. The inclusive programming provides a solid educational base as well as a creative outlet that supports personal growth and development at any age stage of life. Contact us at the: Bower Center 305 North Bridge Street Bedford, VA 24523 (540) 586-4235 The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake Bridgewater Plaza 16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy. Moneta, VA 24121 (540) 721-1596 www.thelittlegallerysml.com The Little Gallery, on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, is excited to be celebrating its"20th" Anniversary this year. Owners Carol Swain and Kay King offer artistic expression rendered in original artwork with oils, acrylics, pastels, and watercolors. Serigraphs, limited edition prints, photography and much more can be found here. More than 200 internationally and locally known artists are represented, with their creations of originals, hand made jewelry, blown glass, stained glass, sculpture, pottery and wood. Voted by Southern Living Magazine as "A Favorite" store, voted "Best Of The City" by Roanoke readers and "the place to buy unique gifts". The gallery features monthly shows and weekend art demonstrations on the deck. The Little Gallery is truly a rare find and one that will keep you coming back as often as possible to see all the new treasures that come in weekly. Open 7 days a week. Rainbow Tree Artisan Gallery 117 South Bridge Street Bedford, VA 24523 (540) 586-6206 The Rainbow Tree is a gallery and studio that specializes in glass art and custom framing. Owner-artist Cindy Conner has helped revive the lost art of fused glass, first developed by the ancient Egyptians. She creates sculptures, masks, plates, bowls, and other objects by softening or melting glass pieces in a kiln so they can be fused and molded according to her vision. Conner also produces works of stained glass, mostly for architectural applications or home furnishings. The gallery offers, on consignment, the work of other local and international artists, who produce pottery, jewelry, clocks, and other handcrafted items. The Rainbow Tree can fill orders for custom-made pieces, such as stained-glass cabinet doors or handmade furniture. The gallery offers classes in association with Central Virginia Community College. Other Galleries & Artists: • This Olde Mill • Evington Iron Werks • Audrey’s Virginia Rose • The Peaks Alpaca Shop • Blue Bird Estate Jewelry • The Prissy Parrot Please visit the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s web site to see a full list and contact information for Artists and Galleries located in the Bedford Area. www.bedfordareachamber.com The Moneta Arts, Education and Community Center Rt. 122, Timberwood Lane Moneta, VA 24121 (540) 721-2904 or (540) 297-5511 The Center at the Lake, is a proposal set for 25 acres just off Rt. 122, on Timberwood Lane in Moneta. The site offers a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the West and Peaks of Otter to the North. The facility will offer a performance hall with raised stage and the capability of seating 500 for dinners and many more for theater or conference seating. A concert hall, which may be constructed later if the project is carried forth in stages, will have a sloped floor, full theater stage, a balcony and seating for 750. Additionally planned is a separate education building, offering dedicated rooms for school classes, various types of crafts and artistic endeavors such as dance, music and acting. All three school districts surrounding the Lake have expressed strong interest in busing students to such a facility while both Virginia Western Community College and Central Virginia Community College are anxious to provide off-site courses at the Center. Design consultants expect the facility to cost about $15 million, and fund-raising is in the early stages. Organizations interested in receiving a slide presentation detailing the project may contact foundation president, Don Fink at 540-721-2904 or board member Charlie Walker at 540-297-5511. Emerson Creek Pottery 1068 Pottery Lane Bedford, VA 24523 (540) 297-7884 www.emersoncreekpottery.com Handmade and hand-painted, Emerson Creek pottery has graced kitchens and dining rooms since 1977, when Priscilla Palmer and Jim Leavitt fired their first ceramic creations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They began their lines of dinnerware, bake ware, pitchers, tea sets, vases, lamps and other items in a 19th century two-room, two-story log cabin, where they operate a retail outlet today. Palmer created patterns based on nature: flowers, herbs, and fruit. She developed the technique of using glazes that absorb natural pigments. The Emerson Creek artisans deftly apply the strokes of a design with a Japanese sumi-e brush dipped into a colored glaze. They do not use templates or stencils. Each ceramic pattern has been mastered from one of Palmer ’s original designs, and although the patterns remain unchanged from one pot to another, each piece is unique, because the artists ’ strokes are never exactly alike. Emerson Creek makes its own clay and glazes from Jim Leavitt’s formulas. After the hand-made ceramic pieces have been decorated with one of Palmer ’s patterns, they are fired in a gas kiln. Emerson Creek pottery has been featured at Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, at George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, and at the Smithsonian Institute. The company’s log-cabin outlet welcomes visitors.