The hallway leads past studios to the Members Gallery at The Arts Depot, Abingdon, Va. The floors are original and have been refinished in part of the building.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, The Arts Depot is hosting a special exhibit and a daylong party.
The members' exhibit, "Then and Now," kicks off the celebration with a reception Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. Members showcase two pieces of artwork that represent their artistic journey. One piece is an early artistic expression, and the second is a more recent piece. Refreshments are served, and the Abingdon Thumb Strummers perform their traditional acoustic Appalachian music.
The celebration continues Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with outdoor events and activities on Depot Square
An interactive art project for all visitors will be available to discover the artist within themselves. The Depot Square caboose will be open for tours and a photo opportunity. Portrait painters and face painters also will participate. Special anniversary Arts Depot t-shirts and baseball caps will be for sale. There will be door prizes and food vendors, and member artists will have creations for sale.
Saturday's event features music lined up by award-winning singer songwriter Ed Young and includes bluegrass musicians Stan Williams, Doug Miller and the Ledgerwoods.
In addition to the outdoor activities on Depot Square, everyone is invited inside for a slice of a train birthday cake. While enjoying refreshments, guests are invited to visit the seven resident artists working in their studios, the Juried Spotlight Gallery featuring Bristol, Virginia, oil painter Joe Burnette, Member's Gallery showcase artists Ruth Crowe, Rita Montrosse, Frank Renault and Edward Young and the 25th anniversary special exhibit "Then and Now" show in the Founder's Gallery.
The anniversary celebration is scheduled as one of the many cultural experiences to be offered during the Crooked Road Mountains of Music Homecoming. This inaugural event covers 19 counties, four cities and more than 50 communities.
The Depot Artists Association invites everyone to join them for this weekend of family fun and to help celebrate their 25th year of "Community and Artists Working Together."
