from the desk of the Jacksonville Center team

Dear Artists, Members and Friends of The Jacksonville Center,

A spectacular thunderstorm is rolling through our area now. It is the type that scares the dogs, makes the lights flicker, sends vibrations through the building from the thunderclaps and tricks the eyes into thinking nighttime has arrived. It is another reminder that Spring has arrived. Ed Dolinger is teaching a class, Sculpture 101-Plaster, and some very soaked students are arriving.

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GALLERY RECEIVES "2007 BEST OF THE CITY AWARD"

We are proud to share the news that City Magazine readers sent in their ballots for a January poll to name The Jacksonville Center for the Arts as one of the three best art galleries in the Roanoke region. The poll asked readers to name the finest in area arts, culture, events and more. This is the first year the Center has received a Best of the City Award. The other top galleries named were The Market Gallery in Roanoke and the Riverviews Art Space in Lynchburg . This honor is a testament not only to the hard work of the gallery committee volunteers and staff but also quality of our exhibitors’ work.

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CHANGE IN CENTER HOURS

Starting on Sunday, April 1, the Center will be open again on Sundays, 12-5pm. Monday to Friday, the Center will resume normal business hours, 9am-5pm. Saturday hours will be 10am-5pm.

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UPCOMING CLASSES

Celebrate spring by unleashing your creativity. Learn a new craft in upcoming classes at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts - no experience necessary. The Jacksonville Center will continue to offer classes in clay, glass, blacksmithing and studio arts into the summer and fall.

Sculpture 101 - Soapstone with Chris Shackelford. Wednesdays, April 18, 25 and May 2; 6-8pm. Learn the basics of rock selection, carving and finishing processes.

A mosaic Demonstration with Carter Holliday will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 10am-3pm. Watch how mosaics are made. This demonstration is followed by a hands-on workshop August 31-September 2.

Glass Mobiles with Tammy Parks will be taught on Saturday, April 21 from 10am-3pm. Make your own one-of-a-kind mobile by using wire, solder and glass. Learn the intricate art of balance.

Papermaking for Teachers with Lee Chichester will be taught on Saturday, April 21 from 10am-3pm. Learn how easy it is to make paper with students. Class includes minimum requirements for classroom papermaking.

Seating is limited. Classes are filled on a first come first serve basis.

Take advantage of our “Fourth Friend Free” discount and get out of the house with family and friends. Everyone can save 25% on class tuition this way.

A full listing and descriptions of course offerings can be found online at www.jacksonvillecenter.org. Catalogs are also available by request at the Center or contact the Center at 745-2784 or by email to info@jacksonvillecenter.org.

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VIP VISIT – VIRGINIA COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS

Last Thursday, March 22, the Jacksonville Center hosted a visit from Foster Billingsley, the Associate Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, (VCA). The Center arranged for Foster to tour The June Bug Center, Old Church Gallery and The Country Store and meet with representatives of these organizations as well as Lydeana Martin, the County's Economic and Community Development Director. Foster commented that this visit was one of the most productive visits to an area during his time with the VCA. Foster was able to point out specific funding opportunities for local arts organizations, schools, the town and the county and provide materials to pursue those opportunities. Members of the Center’s staff and board met with Foster to discuss grant opportunities and we found it to be very helpful. Foster was very complimentary about the quality of the Jacksonville Center ’s programs, how well-run our organization was and the dedication of our volunteers, board and staff. Foster said that he plans to use some of his vacation time this year to take a class or two here.

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STAFF CHANGES

Kate Garland has resigned from her current position as Hospitality and Volunteer Coordinator. We are very fortunate that she will continue to work here at least once a month as an on-call staff member. Kate first visited Floyd during the grand opening weekend after the barn renovation was substantially completed. What she experienced at The Center that weekend left such an impression that Kate made Floyd her home. Kate joined the Center as a volunteer after the renovations were complete in 2003, then became an Experience Works staff member before being hired by the Center in January of 2006. Many of you who have visited the Center during the weekends have encountered Kate's friendly and informative welcome when coming in the front door. Kate's position will be filled by another Experience Works alumnus, Jeri Dewey, who was our former gallery/retail shop coordinator. You can keep in touch with Kate through her email address at The Center: kate@jacksonvillecenter.org.

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LAST WEEKEND FOR PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

The well-received photography exhibit, Not Just a Pretty Picture, will close this Saturday, March 31. Don't miss the chance to view this exhibit if you haven't already seen it. This exhibit was so popular that there have been folks making a special trip to the Center to see the exhibit again before it closes.

Exhibitors, please plan to pick up your work as soon as possible beginning this Sunday, April 1. The Gallery Committee plans to start installing the next exhibit on Monday afternoon and it really helps them if you can take your work right off the wall.

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UPCOMING EXHBIT – THIRD ANNUAL INSTRUCTORS’ EXHIBIT

Our next exhibit, the Third Annual Instructors’ Exhibit which features the work of instructors teaching courses this year, will run April 6 through May 26.

Mark your calendars for the “Meet the Artists” reception on April 14, 6-8pm.

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STUDIOS FOR RENT

We currently have a large studio at the Center that is available for rent now. (This is the former studio of photographer Doug Thompson.) We encourage people to “think outside the box” for potential uses of this space. We would like to see this space used in a way that is open and engaging for our visitors, provides for working artists demonstrations and offers unique, local artwork. A fiber arts presence would be a welcome addition to the Center in this space. The space would also be suitable for a collaborative effort by several artists. Come talk with us with about your ideas!

This studio is 208 square feet with 5 windows. Two windows face the interior hallway and three face the outside. This studio comes with track lighting and air conditioning. Rent is $375 a month.

There are also two additional studios now available, which are suitable as workspaces or as galleries.

1. One 145 sq ft studio with single window overlooking Buffalo Mountain . Rent is $250 a month. This has a sink hook up and floor drain.

2. A similar 145 sq ft studio, also $250 a month, with a sink hook up and floor drain.

All studios come with the bonus of a supportive, creative environment where Center staff will open and close your studio and provide promotional and sales support (including credit card sales) during business hours. Staff can accept deliveries or hold packages for pickup. Free Wi-Fi connection, four color printing services, downstairs kitchen access and basic utilities are included. Access to large multi-use space can be provided depending on availability. Free business classes offered by the Center, pending sufficient enrollment, are available to those renting studios at the Center. The Center also offers a strong informational and referral network that is particularly valuable to those who are new to Floyd.

For more information, please call 745-2784 and ask to speak to John McEnhill.

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Have a wonderful weekend!

The Jacksonville Center Team