Blog - Academy Center of the Arts

2019 National Juried Art Exhibition Announces Winners

April 11, 2019 Emily Byrd

The Annual National Juried Art Exhibition at the Academy Center of the Arts opened on Friday, April 5, 2019, and includes 49 artists from 12 states. The exhibition encompassed a wide variety, including oil paintings, clay, mixed media paintings, sculpture, wood, fiber, printmaking, digital prints, and collage. Over $3000 in cash awards was presented to eleven artists. The winners are listed below. Best in Show: $1,000 Shaun Whiteside (Radford, VA) Body of Work Sponsored by Cary and Robert Roberts 2nd Place Award: $700 Kaitlyn Houston (Floyd, VA) “To the Left,” and “To the Right” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts 3rd Place Award: $500 Katherine March (Staunton, VA) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $300 Brian Rayner (Charlottesville, VA) “Line of Sight” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $200 Michael Twery (Lynchburg, VA) “Eye of the Storm” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $150 Kevin Chadwick (Lynchburg, VA) “Cora and the Serpent” Sponsored by Troy Deacon and Ted Delaney Juror’s Choice Award: $125 Deliece Blanchard (Lynchburg, VA) “Goshen Wild Flowers” Sponsored by Royal […]

Jim Ackley Announced as New Director of Community Through Theatre

April 1, 2019 Morgan Yeatts

by Morgan Yeatts Here at the Academy Center of the Arts, we love involving the community in our mission to provide quality arts, culture, and entertainment. One of the ways we accomplish this goal is through our Community Through Theatre program. Today, we’re sharing more about the new and exciting changes to the program and how Community Through Theatre will be structured in the future. The Community Through Theatre program will be restructured to be comprised of 2 year volunteer commitment positions. There will be a committee responsible for choosing theatrical productions, directors, and artistic teams for the productions. There will also be a Director of Community Through Theatre position, whose responsibilities will include leading the committee in these decisions and working directly with the Academy staff to budget and plan the two annual productions. The Academy is proud to announce that the first Director of Community Through Theatre will be Jim Ackley. Jim led the theatre program at E.C. Glass High School for 32 years, directing over 150 productions during his time there. He brings extensive knowledge and expertise in theatre arts to the position. He was also recognized in 2013 with the […]

The Mavericks Brings Lynchburg Native to the Academy

March 20, 2019 Morgan Yeatts

by Morgan Yeatts This Friday, MaxxMusic and Midwood Entertainment presents legendary band The Mavericks who will bring their unique blend of country and Latin rock to the Historic Academy of Music Theatre stage. The Academy was thrilled to discover that the band’s saxophonist, Max Abrams, is one of Lynchburg’s own. Abrams joined the band for their reunion tour in 2011 and has been a member ever since. “It’s been a dream come true to tour the world playing saxophone with great musicians,” he says. Performing in the newly renovated Historic Theatre is especially exciting for Abrams. “It’s been a work in progress my whole life and I’m thrilled it’s up and running. Everyone says it’s a perfect theatre!” Abrams says that growing up in Lynchburg played a role in his musical career. His band director in middle school and saxophone teacher fueled his passion for his art. “It would take several pages to list all of the Lynchburg musicians that were positive role models for me growing up.” he says. “Even though I live in Nashville now, I hope I can still be a positive mentor for kids interested in the arts in Lynchburg.” […]

‘Follies’ Searching for Pit Orchestra Instrumentalists

March 18, 2019 Brittany Griffith

Community Through Theatre is seeking Pit Orchestra Instrumentalists for the upcoming Spring Production of Follies. All interested parties should contact Randall Speer, rspeer@randolphcollege.edu. Available Parts: Flute: up to 4 players (2 double at piccolo) Oboe/English horn: 1 player B-flat clarinet: up to 5 players (1 doubles at E-flat clarinet; 1 doubles at bass clarinet) Bassoon: 1 player Alto Sax: up to 2 players Tenor Sax: up to 2 players Bari Sax: 1 player French Horn: 1 player Trumpet: up to 3 players Trombone: up to 3 players Guitar (acoustic): 1 player Violin: up to 6 players Viola: up to 2 players Cello: up to 2 players Bass (acoustic): 1 player Percussion: up to 2 players Keyboard: 1 player Performances: Friday, May 10, 2019: 7:30 PM Saturday, May 11, 2019: 7:30 PM Sunday, May 12, 2019: 2:00 PM Friday, May 17, 2019: 7:30 PM Saturday, May 18, 2019: 7:30 PM Sunday, May 19, 2019: 2:00 PM

11th Annual Empty Bowls Event Aims to Raise $10,000 for Lynchburg Daily Bread

March 1, 2019 Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts has announced the 11th annual Empty Bowls event to benefit the Lynchburg Daily Bread on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 10:30am – 1:30pm in the Warehouse Theatre, 519 Commerce Street. Empty Bowls is a national program recognized and participated in across the country, in efforts to raise fund and spread awareness of the fight against hunger in our local community. With the purchase of a ticket, patrons have the ability to select their own handmade ceramic bowl, created by local potters, and enjoy soup tastings, bread, a dessert, and a drink, all donated by area restaurants and individual donors. To date, over 40 volunteers and local potters have crafted more than 325 bowls for the event. “It is inspiring to see so many potters from our community volunteer their time and talents to benefit the Daily Bread,” said Ted Batt, Director of Visual Arts. “Many of the potters are students or teachers at the Academy, while others are involved elsewhere in the community. “It is my hope that with so many potters, we can achieve our goal of 500 bowls and contribute an even larger amount to the Daily Bread […]

The Best of Us Celebrates Community

February 6, 2019 Morgan Yeatts

Written by: Morgan Yeatts For two years now, the Academy Center of the Arts has partnered with Alpha Phi Alpha, the first African American greek fraternity, to present The Best of Us, an awards ceremony dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the Black community, organizations, and individuals who have made contributions in the Lynchburg area. This year, over 330 people attended the ceremony, which was held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, in the Joy & Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre. The numerous awards included Best Businesswoman, Best Businessman, Best Barbershop, and three Lifetime Achievement awards. “There are a lot of people in our community who are honored, but don’t get recognition,” says Evan Smith, Director of Community Outreach here at the Academy. “I think it’s important to be able to recognize people who have made great contributions to our community.” Members of the community who were awarded include Ethel Reeves, who received the Mary Kinkle Award for Best Educator, musician Lew Taylor, winner of the Entertainer of the Year award, and Lynchburg Police Officer, Tereika Grooms, who won the Millenial of the Year award. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement awards were Fletcher Hubbard, Mary Payne, and Willie […]

Academy to Hold Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Follies’

February 4, 2019 Brittany Griffith

Academy Center of the Arts, Historic Academy Theatre

Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org For Immediate Release: 1/29/2019 ACADEMY TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S FOLLIES The Academy Center of the Arts is excited to announce that the first Community Through Theatre production in its recently opened Historic Academy Theatre will be Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical, Follies. Scheduled to be performed in 2019 on May 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, the rarely-produced play is considered to be one of Sondheim’s greatest shows. The Academy has assembled an experienced creative team to lead this project. Former EC Glass Theatre teacher Jim Ackley will direct the show. Randall Speer, Music Department chair at Randolph College, will be Music Director. Stephen Sondheim’s Follies will be choreographed by Rena Lindevaldsen, and Tyler Herron, the Technical Director for the Academy, will be the Scenic and Lighting Designer. Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s Follies will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2019 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm and Tuesday, February 19, 2019, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm in the Academy’s Warehouse Theatre, 519 Commerce St. Auditions will include singing, reading, and a dance combination. Auditions will be open to all actors of varying ages […]

Czech Violinist Ivan Zenaty to Perform at the Academy

January 11, 2019 Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts and Forte Chamber Music are proud to announce that Ivan Zenaty, “the most important Czech violinist of this time,” will take the Academy Center of the Arts’ Historic Academy Theatre stage, 524 Main St., in performance on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at 7:30pm. The program includes works from Vivaldi and Beethoven. Ivan Zenaty reaches a broad public without abandoning the world of classical music for even a moment. Besides the technical perfection one would expect, he is also appreciated for his taste, style and a captivatingly beautiful tone. With his exceptional wealth of repertoire including more than 50 violin concertos, he is a favored guest artist with many international orchestras. Known for his versatility, his engagements also include solo recitals and chamber music collaborations. The springboard to his international career came as a result of being a prize winner in the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition followed immediately by debut engagements with the Moscow and Czech Philharmonic. Other successes include First Prize at the Prague Spring Competition, as well as being a chosen laureate of the UNESCO International Rostrum of Young Performers. In the subsequent years following his victories, Zenaty made his orchestral […]

Over 600 Lynchburg Area Music Students Gain Access to Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

November 26, 2018 Brittany Griffith

Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org OVER 600 LYNCHBURG AREA MUSIC STUDENTS GAIN ACCESS TO THE JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA The Academy Center of the Arts’ staff and board are proud to share that over 600 local middle and high school music students will travel to the newly restored Historic Academy of Music Theatre on Thursday, December 13, 2018, to experience the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Big Band Holidays sound check with Wynton Marsalis. The sound check event will begin at 4:30pm in the Historic Theatre prior to the 7:30pm performance that evening. A question and answer portion will also be held between the students and musicians on stage prior to the concluding the event. “Youth outreach is really important to Wynton Marsalis,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. “When arranging their visit, it was the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra who offered up this opportunity and it was something we jumped at. We loved the notion that not only would adult audiences benefit from this world-class artist but also area youth.” The Academy Center of the Arts is dedicated to […]

Meet the Staff: Tabitha Abbott

November 16, 2018 Morgan Yeatts

by Morgan Yeatts As a Lynchburg native, Tabitha knows just how far downtown Lynchburg has come through the years. Before coming to the Academy Center of the Arts (ACOA), she worked at Amazement Square, eventually becoming their event planner, and then their Operations Director. Later, an event coordinator position was created for her at United Way. She has also worked with the Downtown Lynchburg Association to plan Get Downtown. Needless to say, Tabitha knows how to get things done. “Event planning is being really organized and creative; it’s something I kind of fell into that I love.” Tabitha met Dorie Smiley, former Operations Director of the ACOA, through the Downtown Lynchburg Association, of which Dorie is Vice President. As Dorie was in the process of stepping down from her role at the ACOA, preparing for retirement, Tabitha applied for the job and started in October of 2017. Although she isn’t planning events as much as she used to, Tabitha loves her position here at the Academy. “My position lends itself to be a part of everyone’s department and being a part of it in such a wide reaching way is really cool and special. It […]

CONTACT US: