Sapphire Anniversary Open House - Saturday, November 25
The Center’s new community art exhibit, “Off the Wall,” will launch on November 25, along with kicking off a raffle for a beautiful, handmade quilt designed, crafted, and donated by the Draper Quilt and Art Collective. Also available will be new seasonal items from local artists. Refreshments will be served throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Off the Wall is a unique, changing community art exhibit. It is comprised of more than 100 eight-by-eight-inch canvases that have been painted by members of surrounding communities. Each canvas is painted twice with some constraints that result in interesting and creative outcomes. Board members have been working with both student and adult groups from local communities over the past couple of months to recruit artists to participate. Participants include both novice and accomplished artists and a few surprises, such as former Governor George Allen and current Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. (see picture)
The exhibit opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, and will be available through January 6. Each canvas is for sale for $10 and you can take it “off the wall” as it is purchased, so the composite art piece will be arranged and change over time. People are encouraged to stop by throughout the term of the exhibit to see how it transforms. Some canvases will be available during the Open House for those who would still like to paint one and contribute to the exhibit.
The Draper Quilt and Art Collective has hand-crafted a beautiful new king-size quilt to be raffled off with proceeds going to the Fine Arts Center. The quilt is based on a traditional log cabin pattern but with a unique color palette that puts a modern spin on the design. It’s on display in the gift shop in the Center. Tickets will be sold throughout the first half of 2024 and the winning ticket will be selected during the summer.
The Center will also have new inventory available of unique, hand-crafted gifts appropriate for collecting or sharing, including holiday cards, knitwear, jewelry, photography and more. The Open House corresponds with Shop Small Saturday and local artists are being featured in the gift shop to help shoppers prepare for the holidays or to just find unique items for their home or office. The Open House runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center at 21 West Main Street in the Pulaski Historic Commercial District.
Former Governor George Allen and Attorney General Jason Miyares contribute to the Off the Wall exhibit