Despite the feeling that the year has just begun, we’re already almost 25% of the way through 2023, and April begins this Saturday! Though Mother Nature may bring April showers, there’s already plenty of Spring programming in bloom at The Academy. Let’s take a look at April’s Art Offerings:
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Events
Saturday, April 1: Two for One: A Musical Celebration of Symphony and Opera
Don't miss the Two for One event where two of Central Virginia’s largest performing groups will join forces for one spectacular evening! First, Peter Leonard will lead the Lynchburg Symphony in famous melodies from Carmen and more. Then, the fun increases as David Glover leads the LSO and Opera on the James in Puccini’s hilarious Gianni Schicchi, featuring the beloved aria, O mio babbino caro.
Sunday, April 2: Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
On Sunday afternoon, join the Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra for a lively performance of both classical and popular favorites. The highlight of the concert will be 2023 Concerto Competition Winner Jenna Ng, who will perform the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 15. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the stars of tomorrow!
Friday, April 7: First Friday at The Academy
The Academy Center of the Arts is proud to present a new gallery exhibition each month featured in our Academy Galleries. For the month of April, The Patricia Harrington Gallery Building will feature The Academy Center of the Arts' Annual National Juried Art Exhibition featuring 67 Artists from 19 States. The Exhibition will be juried by Hiromi Okumura from Virginia Tech, who will give out over $3500 in Cash Awards sponsored by Select Bank. The gallery opens on First Friday, April 7, from 5 - 8 PM. The opening will feature live music from Nia Kenye.
Friday, April 7 & Saturday, April 8: Dusty's All Star Circus
The circus is in town! Well, they will be next weekend. Dusty's All Star Circus will be taking over the Warehouse Theatre for 5 performances in 2 days! Dusty's promises fun for the whole family, and even offers free children's tickets when you buy an adult ticket online, as well as family saver passes.
Saturday, April 8: Birth in Color RVA Presents a Community Screening of Birthing Justice
Join Birth in Color RVA for a FREE community screening of documentary Birthing Justice, featuring a beautiful introduction to the evening with the Taratibu Youth Association African Dance Troupe. BIRTHING JUSTICE is a feature-length documentary whose purpose is two-fold: to discuss issues fueling the maternal health crisis within the African American community and to advocate for best practices to enhance birthing equity for all women, especially Black women.
Friday, April 14 & Saturday, April 15: Junie B. Jones Jr. The Musical
Academy Youth Theatre actors ages 8-14 present: Junie. B Jones Jr. The Musical. Featuring many lovable characters and fun-filled songs, Junie B. Jones JR. will capture your audiences’ and Broadway Junior performers’ hearts — just as the books captivated an entire generation of students.
Tuesday, April 18: Stomp
Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and more fill the stage with energizing beats at STOMP: the inventive and invigorating stage show that’s dance, music, and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm. Though this show is still 3 weeks away, you'll want to grab those tickets ASAP as there are less than 20% of tickets still remaining.
Thursday, April 20: Samia & Christian Lee Hutson
Live music is back in the Warehouse Theatre! In April's installation of the Warehouse Concert Series, catch Nashville-via-NYC singer-songwriter Samia with opener Christian Lee Hutson. Samia's latest album, Honey earned 4.5 stars from UK's DIY Mag, and she was featured as Consequence of Sound's January CoSign. Since the album's January release, Samia has been touring the country to rave reviews. You won't want to miss this gig!
Friday, April 21: Earth Day - Youth Juried Art Show Reception
The Academy Center of the Arts is proud to host this year's Earth Day Juried Youth Art Show featuring art from local Elementary and Middle School artists. The reception celebrating these young artists, as well as the presentation of the awards, will take place the evening of Friday, April 21, the day before Earth Day, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in the BWXT Youth Gallery inside the Joy & Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre.
Friday, April 21: Earth Day - Youth Juried Art Show Reception
Join Zineville for their second-ever Zine & Art Fair this Earth Day at the Academy Center of the Arts. Stop by from 12:00 to 5:00 PM to peruse wares from 40+ vendors, grab some snacks, and even learn to make your own Zines with the Academy in Motion bus! Vendors will be located inside the Historic Theatre lobby on all floors, as well as in the court yard. This is a Free event, and no tickets are required.
Monday, April 24: Casablanca
With iconic titles that span decades, the Timeless Classics Film Series has something for everyone. Take a seat in our plush theatre chairs and enjoy a classic film projected on the BIG screen in the Historic Academy Theatre one Monday per month at 2:00 pm. This month, catch the 1942 film Casablanca and an enjoy popcorn and a drink for only $2. Plus, join Dr. WIlliam Kershner before the film for a guided tour of the Historic Academy Theatre.
Thursday, April 27: Potted Potter
THE UNAUTHORIZED HARRY EXPERIENCE – A PARODY BY DAN AND JEFF
Playing to sold-out houses all over the world, the Olivier Award-nominated Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books with 360 characters into seventy hilarious minutes with only 2 actors! Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will make you roar with laughter. Perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed)!
Saturday, April 29: Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Presents Conversations with Thomas Jefferson and Martha Jefferson
Step back in time to experience a conversation between Thomas Jefferson and his beloved wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson. Join Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest at the Academy Center of the Arts for an exclusive presentation of Conversations presented by actors Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson and Nicole Brown as Martha Jefferson.
Sunday, April 30: Jefferson Choral Society Presents Jesus, Son of Our Father
Don't miss the Lyncburg premiere of Jesus, Son of Our Father, an oratorio based on the Gospel of John. The production is scored for a 35-piece orchestra, and features baritone soloist Philip Bouknight in the starring role of Jesus and tenor Jeff Prillaman. Virginia composer Aaron Garber and librettist Richard Bansemer, a retired Lutheran pastor and former Bishop of the Virginia Synod, collaborated to create this classically-styled religious work.
Weekly Classes
Tweens & Teens Youth Watercolor: Magical Creatures
Supplies IncludedAdult Watercolor: Beginner & Beyond
Supplies IncludedRecycled Art: #Trash2Treasure
Supplies Included, but bring things to recycle!Intermediate Painting with Oils
Supplies Not Included, Bring Your OwnWednesday Watercolor
Writing Your Short Screenplay
Figure Drawing Workshop
Supplies Not Included, Bring Your OwnKenny Weinfurtner teaches The Figure Drawing Workshop for any artist wishing to improve drawing skills or to become more figurative in their art. While working with a live model you’ll study: 1) gesture – to express action, appearance, proportion & space, 2) perspective – to enhance the figure’s 3 dimensional aspect, 3) canon of the figure – for correct anatomy, and 4) musculature & skeletal studies – to understand what’s below the surface.
One-Time Classes
Pottery Night Out!
Supplies IncludedGo ahead and get a little dirty on Friday night! Couples, singles, and friends are welcome to join us at The Academy Center of the Arts Pottery Studio for an evening of fun and wheel throwing. Have something to remember your special pottery night for many years! Pre-registration is required.
Family Saturday Clay Day
Supplies IncludedAcademy Paint & Sip: April Showers
Supplies & Glass of Wine
IncludedInstructor Crystal George will take you step-by-step on an easy-to-learn painting experience. Suitable for beginner and advanced painters alike! No painting experience required.
Line Pet Portrait in Watercolor + Ink
Supplies Included, but bring pet photosInstructor Lauren Harris will teach you to simplify your favorite furry friend into one continuous line + design the background with modern blocks of color. You’ll use ink + watercolor on quality watercolor paper.
Musical Theatre Audition Workshop
Bring your ready-to-perform audition piece 
Join Brynn Scozzari for a musical theatre masterclass! A vocal masterclass is similar to a voice lesson, in which you will perform a well-rehearsed (and memorized) piece in front of Brynn, a voice specialist, and an audience. Together, we will work through various techniques: mechanics and acting to enhance and progress your capabilities! Each student will receive approximately 15 min of instruction, so it is important to arrive warmed up and ready to sing!
In the Galleries
The Patricia Harrington Gallery Building
April 7 – 29, 2023 | 600 Main St.
This Month: The Academy Center of the Arts National Juried Art Exhibit featuring 67 artists from 19 states. Opening First Friday, April 7, from 5 – 8 PM. From April 8 onward, stop by from 12 -5 PM on weekdays (M-F), or on Saturdays by appointment with Ted Batt, [email protected].
The BWXT Youth Gallery
April 10 – 29 | 519 Commerce St.
This month in The BXWT Youth Gallery is the Earth Day – Youth Juried Art Show. Stop by 12 – 5 PM on weekdays (M-F), or on Saturdays by appointment with Ted Batt, [email protected].
Magnolia Foods
April 5 – 29 | 2476 Rivermont Ave.
The Virginian Hotel
Feb 17 – May 12 | 712 Church St.
Westminster Canterbury
Mar 24 – May 19 | 501 V.E.S. Rd.
Academy in Motion
April 6, 2023 – LCS Financial Freedom Workshops at Heritage High School from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
April 10, 2023 – Campbell County Public Library at Timbrook Branch from 11:00 AM- 1:00PM
April 11, 2023 – Campbell County Public Library at Brookneal Branch from 11:00 AM- 1:00PM
April 12, 2023 – Lynchburg Public Library at Lynchburg Public Library Main Branch from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
April 13, 2023 – Campbell County Public Library at Altavista Branch from 11:00 AM- 1:00PM
April 13, 2023 – LCS Financial Freedom Workshops at Heritage High School from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
April 14, 2023 – Campbell County Public Library at Rustburg Branch from 11:00 AM- 1:00PM
April 22, 2023 – Garden Gnome Zine & Art Fair at Academy Center of the Arts from 12:00 PM- 5:00PM
