VHCC Arts Array - Spring 2023

Arts Array is a VHCC-sponsored series of films, concerts, theatre plays, art events, lectures, and more!

Who can ATTEND?

Virginia Highlands Community College: Students, faculty, and staff can attend all activities for FREE with in-date College ID.

Emory and Henry College: Students, faculty, and staff can attend all film events for FREE with in-date College ID.

King University: Students, faculty, and staff can attend all film events for FREE with in-date College ID.

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center: Students and staff (including participants in the College of Older Adults who purchase an Arts Array pass) may attend all films and concerts in the Spencer-Miller Memorial concert series for FREE with in-date COA pass.

Our PARTNERS

Abingdon Cinemall

Barter Theatre

Emory and Henry College

King University

Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church

Need more INFORMATION?

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Washington County Public Library System

William King Museum of Art

Virginia Commission for the Arts

For additional information about the Arts Array please contact:

Music Events

“Star Wars” - Stateline Wind Symphony

Monday, February 20, 2023 ~ 7:15 pm ~ FREE To

All Southwest VA Higher Ed. Center

The philosophy of the State Line Wind Symphony is simple: play and have fun doing it! Members must be over eighteen years old, eager to play music and actively participate in the rehearsals and concerts. We average 90 players per concert now. The premier performance was at The Paramount in May 2013. Admission is FREE at the SLWS concerts with hopes of serving the area citizens with good symphonic music to enjoy at no cost. VHCC is proud of its band students and faculty that participate in this fun group. For information on joining, contact Mark Collins at mcollins@wcs.k12.va.usor Scott Lambert at hscottl@icloud.com for more information.

The Paramount Chamber Players

Sunday, February 26, 2023 ~ 3pm ~ FREE with College or COA ID

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church

It’s a piano extravaganza! International superstar pianist Chih-Long Hu will join the prodigious young cellist Joshua Kovac for a performance of Rachmaninoff’s sumptuous Cello Sonata. And you won’t want to miss hearing Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition but as you’ve never heard it before in a spectacular arrangement for piano four-hands. Artistic Director Katherine Benson will be joined at the piano by two stunning guest artists—fan-favorite Allison Shinnick and Juilliard-trained Angie Zhang—for this landmark performance.

Washington Sax Quartet

Sunday, March 12, 2023 ~ 3pm ~ FREE with College or COA ID

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church

The Washington Saxophone Quartet will perform music in virtually all periods of music, from the renaissance to the contemporary ... J. S. Bach to Leonard Bernstein...from Archangelo Corelli to Duke Ellington and everything in between. The possibilities for repertoire are almost limitless! The Washington Saxophone Quartet will guide you along with commentary and insight into the music. It should be fun and a delightful and memorable experience.

The Ranier Trio

Sunday, April 16, 2023 ~ 3pm ~ FREE with College or COA ID

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church

The Rainier Trio has established itself as an engaging and energetic group that captivates audiences with the magic of violinist and violist brothers Kevin and Bryan Matheson and their fabulous pianist Brenda Wittwer. They have won the hearts of audiences in concerts throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and North Carolina. Hailed as “two perfect virtuosos” at their international performance debut, Kevin and Bryan of the Classic Strings Duo were received with critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour. Recognized for their mesmerizing and spirited performances -two perfect virtuosos, playing as one, they have performed twice at Yamaha Hall in Japan as well as in Sicily, Ireland and the Czech Republic.

VHCC Old Time String Band

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 ~ 5pm ~ FREE

To All Southwest VA Cultural Arts Center and Marketplace

The VHCC Old Time String Band is an exciting and fun performance class that has been offered on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College each spring since 2012. The music director at VHCC Mary Munsey designed this class and has opened the class to all students, faculty and community members. Students have an option to take the class for 3 credits with financial aid if they add an Applied Music Pathway to their programs of study at VHCC or just for enjoyment through Workforce Development.

Music Events

Stateline Wind Symphony Spring Concert

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 ~ 7:15pm ~ FREE To All

Southwest Higher Ed Center

The philosophy of the State Line Wind Symphony is simple: play and have fun doing it! Members must be over eighteen years old, eager to play music and actively participate in the rehearsals and concerts. We average 90 players per concert now. Admission is FREE at the SLWS concerts with hopes of serving the area citizens with good symphonic music to enjoy at no cost. Bring your kids, friends and neighbors and come on out to this delightful musical celebration of spring. VHCC is proud of its band students and faculty that participate in this fun group.

The VHCC Choir and Old Time String Band

Tuesday April 25, 2023 ~ 7:00pm ~ $5 General Public

Keyser-Aday Theatre (VHCC Campus - LRC 125)

The Choir and Old Time String Band consist of students, retired faculty, community members, retirees and anyone that wants to sing or play a string instrument. These credit or non-credit classes are offered through VHCC and through the Workforce Development Center at VHCC.

VHCC Old Time String Band Fundraiser and VHCC BBQ

Saturday, April 29, 2023 ~ 5pm ~ Tickets Required

White’s Mill

Bring a lawn chair and come on out to the beautiful historic White’s Mill. Enjoy a good BBQ dinner while listening to the VHCC Community Old Time String Band.

White’s Mill has long served the neighboring community. Since the late 18th century, the mill provided meal and flour for the farm and kitchen, as well as a gathering place for sharing news and views.

The Paramount Chamber Players

Sunday, April 30, 2023 ~ 3pm ~ FREE with College or COA ID

Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church

Esteemed Bass-Baritone Mark Owen Davis will reprise his legendary performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ incredible cycle Songs of Travel with Katherine Benson at the piano. Joining them on the program will be beloved cellist Cherylonda Fitzgerald and others for a delightful conclusion to TPCP’s 18th concert season.

Visual Art Events

Valentine-Themed Laser-Cut Acrylic & Vinyl Stickers Workshop

Friday, February 3, 2023 ~ 11am - 2pm ~ RSVP

Art Lab at William King Museum of Art

Join us for a hands-on workshop to design and print laser-cut acrylic wearable art and vinyl stickers in the Digital Lab at the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art. Participants will create designs to cut into acrylic plates which can be turned into wearable works of art. The workshop is Valentine-themed, so you can make something for yourself, a friend, or a loved one. Attendees are welcome to bring sketches or image inspiration with them to the event, but this is not required. This event is presented in partnership with the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art. Space is limited to 10 participants. RSVP to Marie Porterfield at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve a spot.

Visual Art Events

Artist Talk with Ren Allen

Thursday, February 16, 2023 ~ 2pm - 3pm ~ FREE To All Virginia Highlands Community College (ISC 130)

Contemporary body painter and professional makeup artist Ren Allen’s work focuses on empowerment, glamour, and expression. Her work can be seen on the walls of art galleries, in music videos, and on the faces and bodies of many people. Join us for her artist talk to explore the ways in which our faces can be transformed by makeup and our inner lives can be expressed through paint applied to our bodies. This event is free and open to the public.

Pop-up Makers: Surrealist Game Day

Tuesday, February 28 ~ 2pm - 3pm ~ RSVP

VHCC Art Studio (LRC-223)

Join us for an interactive art workshop in the campus art studio. We will learn a lightning-fast lesson about the fun and fabulous Surrealist artists and then play some of the games these artists used to inspire their creativity and to engage their sense of invention. No prior experience required.

Clay Workshop in the Art Lab

Friday, March 3, 2023 ~ 10am - 1pm ~ RSVP

Art Lab at William King Museum of Art

Join us for a hands-on workshop in the Art Lab ceramics studio to learn methods of clay construction in order to create an object. Participants will be able to take their clay vessel or object home with them following the completion of the kiln firing process, several weeks after the event. No prior experience with clay is required. This event is presented in partnership with the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art. Space is limited to 10 participants. Contact Marie Porterfield at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve a spot.

Artist Talk and Knotting Demo with Laura Bowman

Thursday, March 30, 2023 ~ 2pm - 3pm ~ FREE To All Virginia Highlands Community College (ISC 130)

Contemporary textile artist Laura Bowman builds beautifully meticulous and sculptural knotted tapestries. Her complex, patient, and soulful work blends fiber arts with sculpture and gallery art with traditional craft. Join us as she demonstrates her knotting technique and tells about her journey as an artist.

Meet the Artists Reception for the VHCC Student Art Exhibition

Saturday, April 15, 2023 ~ 2pm - 4pm ~ FREE To All

The Arts Depot

Visit the Arts Depot to celebrate the works of local student artists at the Meet the Artists Reception for the Virginia Highlands Student Art Exhibition. This visual arts exhibition features the works of students made at the college during the 2022-2023 academic year. The exhibition will be available throughout the month of April during regular business hours in the Founders Gallery at the Arts Depot.

Curatorial Workshop & Interactive Event

Friday April 21, 2023 ~ 10am - 1pm ~ RSVP

William King Museum of Art

Join us as for this interactive event as we explore the career of a museum curator through a series of games, talks, and experiential learning activities. This event is presented in partnership with the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art. Space is limited to 10 participants. Contact Marie Porterfield at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve a spot.

Visual Art Events

Closing Reception for the VHCC Faculty & Staff Art Exhibition

Thursday, April 27, 2023 ~ 5pm - 7pm ~ FREE To All Virginia Highlands Art Gallery in the Campus Library (LRC)

Join us for the closing reception of the Virginia Highlands Faculty & Staff Art Exhibition to celebrate our campus as a community of makers. The event will take place in our brand-new VHCC gallery space, located within the campus library.

Film Events

*Free admission VHCC, King, E&H, COA, and middle- and high-school students, faculty, and staff with valid, in-date school ID. The community price is $8.75.

Elvis

Monday, February 6 & Tuesday, February 7* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

A look at the life of the legendary rock and roll star, Elvis Presley.

Moonstruck

Monday, February 13 & Tuesday, February 14* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

A Brooklyn widow, engaged to a mama’s boy, falls in love with her fiancé’s brother.

Free Renty

Monday, February 27 & Tuesday, February 28* ~ 7pm ~ FREE To All VHCC ~ ISC 130

The story of Tamara Lanier, an African American woman determined to force Harvard University to cede possession of daguerreotypes of her great-great-great grandfather, an enslaved man named Renty. The images were commissioned in 1850 by a Harvard professor to “prove” the superiority of the white race, and remain emblematic of America’s failure to acknowledge the cruelty of slavery, the racist science that supported it and the white supremacy that continues to infect our society today.

The Commitments

Monday, March 13 & Tuesday, March 14* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

Set in working-class Dublin, performances of 1960s soul classics highlight a gritty tale of a young man putting together a 10-piece band that finds success in local clubs but aspires to make it big.

V for Vendetta

Monday, March 27 & Tuesday, March 28* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

Each spring semester, VHCC is proud to honor our legendary late colleague, Phil Ferguson, by showing one of his favorite films. #philm From the Wachowski siblings and Joel Silver, the masterminds behind The Matrix trilogy comes another intriguing, action-packed fantasy-thriller.

Film Events

The Wrecking Crew

Monday, April 10 & Tuesday, April 11* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

This fantastic film profiles a group of L.A. session musicians known as “the Wrecking Crew,” who backed many pop hits of the 1960s and ‘70s. These previously unsung heroes played on tracks from superstars such as Frank Sinatra, the Monkees, and the Beach Boys, and many more.

The Spectacular Now

Monday, April 17 & Tuesday, April 18* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

In this poignant, witty look at coming of age, a smooth-talking high-school senior falls for a straight-arrow good girl and finds adjusting to more of an adult life more complicated than he expected.

Royal Wedding

Monday, April 24 & Tuesday, April 25* ~ 4:30pm and 7:30pm

Abingdon Cinemall

A sibling dance team is booked to play London at the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s marriage to Prince Philip. The musical is famous for a pair of Fred Astaire solos, one a duet with a coat rack, the other a tap dance across a ceiling.

Theatre Events

Drinking Habits

Thursday, March 9 ~ 7:30pm

Friday, March 10 ~ 7:30pm

Saturday, March 11 ~ 7:30pm

Sunday, March 12 ~ 2:30pm

Keyser-Aday Theatre (VHCC Campus - LRC 125)

In this delightful, fresh comedy, two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent’s doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancees, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves. Admission is free for VHCC Students, Staff & Faculty and $5 for general admission (tickets available at the door).

Keep On the Sunnyside

Friday, April 28 ~ 8pm ~ Free tickets available to VHCC students. They are limited and first come, first serve. Please watch for the ticket-request email in your VHCC email account.

Come celebrate the original musical tale of America’s First Family of Country Music. When A.P. Carter convinces his wife Sara and his sister-in-law Maybelle to record with him at the Bristol Sessions, he has no idea he is about to change his life – and the world – forever. You’ll tap your toes to Carter Family favorites like Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow, Keep On the Sunnyside, Wildwood Flower, and Will the Circle Be Unbroken.