Piedmont Arts welcomed the holiday season with a trio of community celebrations in December.
The festivities began Dec. 2 with a food drive supporting the Grace Network food pantry. Community members are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and hygiene products, which may be dropped off at the museum through Dec. 13.
Around 150 visitors gathered in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden for the museum’s annual tree lighting on Dec. 4.
Gale Buck, dressed as Santa Claus, entertained families with Christmas stories, while the Martinsville High School Jazz Band performed holiday classics. Members of the museum’s Teen Arts Council led a free children’s craft and hid handmade ornaments throughout the garden for guests to discover. The Piedmont Arts Guild also distributed free children’s books collected during a recent book drive.
The centerpiece of the evening — the Art Garden Christmas tree — stood out as a work of art in its own right. Created by artist Ian Hogg, the 30-foot structure features more than 3,000 lights and will illuminate the garden nightly through New Year’s Day.
The tree lighting was sponsored by Brightspeed, Carter Bank, Chip Wyatt of State Farm, and Press Glass.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, under the baton of Maestro David Stewart Wiley, returned to perform a mix of seasonal favorites at Piedmont Arts’ annual Holiday Pops Spectacular on Dec. 7 at Martinsville High School Auditorium.
Guest soloist LaTetra Lewis captivated the audience with her vocal range, while songwriter Randy Brooks amused concertgoers with a live rendition of his humorous hit, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Volunteers from Altrusa International of Martinsville-Henry County assisted with collecting food drive donations during the event.
“The Holiday Pops really ushered in the holiday spirit this year,” said Executive Director Heidi Pinkston. “We are so grateful to all our volunteers, everyone who attended, and to Ms. Lewis, Mr. Brooks, and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for their incredible performance.”
The Holiday Pops Spectacular was sponsored by Brightspeed, with additional support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Guests are invited to visit the Christmas trees in the Art Garden and the museum lobby through New Year’s Day. Visitors can also enjoy the exhibits “Peace Post,” “Legible Earth: The Fire Tapestries,” “Depicting the Moment: Paintings by Donald Towns,” and “Inspired Creations” by members of Lynwood Artists on view through Jan. 10 in the Piedmont Arts galleries. Exhibit admission is free.
Piedmont Arts is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Art Garden is open from dawn to dusk each day.
Piedmont Arts holiday hours:
– Dec. 24-25: Closed
– Dec. 26: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
– Dec. 27: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
– Dec. 31: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
– Jan. 1: Closed
For more information on exhibits and events, visit PiedmontArts.org.
