Blog - Academy Center of the Arts

Summer Camps and Classes are Now Online

April 18, 2018 Brittany Griffith

Spend your summer at the Academy Center of the Arts! This year, we’re offering over 40 camps and classes for students of all ages. Try your hand at pottery, drawing, painting, and more! Take the stage in our youth theatre camps, or visit the darkroom to learn about black and white photography. Build your next masterpiece in the pottery studio or decorate the backyard with mosaic pieces. Whatever your interests, the Academy has something for you! Below, we’ve outlined a few of our classes and camps for summer 2018. Our full list of upcoming camps and classes can be found by visiting this link. At the Academy, we pride ourselves on offering some of the most creative summer arts camps and classes. We also pride ourselves on making sure these camps and classes are inclusive by providing scholarships and payment plans to students in need. Did you know that we provide scholarships to 30% of our class and camp participants? Let us help your class and camp fees this summer! Learn more about scholarships by visiting this page, or contact Kelly Posenauer, Director of Education, at (434) 528-3256 for more information. Need […]

2018 National Juried Art Exhibition Announces Winners

April 17, 2018 Brittany Griffith

The Annual National Juried Art Exhibition at the Academy Center of the Arts opened on Friday, April 6, 2018, and includes 82 artists from 17 states. The exhibition encompassed a wide variety, including oil paintings, clay, mixed media paintings and sculpture, wood, fiber, woodcuts, and collage. Over $3000 in cash awards was presented to ten artists. The winners are listed below. Best in Show: $1,000 Bryan Rayner (Charlottesville, VA) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts 2nd Place Award: $700 Teresa Harris (St. Joseph, Missouri) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts 3rd Place Award: $500 Isabelle Martire (Laurel, Maryland) “Power” Sponsored by Cary and Robert Roberts Juror’s Choice Award: $300 Shaun Whiteside (Radford, VA) “Elegy to the Us Republic” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $200 Megan Burak (Berlin, Maryland) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $125 Glen Kessler (North Potomac, MD) “Save Spend” Sponsored by Royal County Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $100 Jill Jensen (Lynchburg, VA) “Lady M” Sponsored by Lynn Shapiro @ JSW Realtors, Inc. Juror’s Choice Award: […]

A New Record for Empty Bowls

April 13, 2018 Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts, Centra, Framatome, and the Bank of the James are proud to announce the success of the tenth annual Empty Bowls event, which raised over $9,000 to benefit the Lynchburg Daily Bread and the community members they serve. Empty Bowls was held on Saturday, March 24, 2018, with a record number of 496 attendees. During Empty Bowls, attendees selected their own beautiful, handmade ceramic bowl, donated by local potters, and enjoyed delicious soup tastings with bread, dessert, and beverages, all donated by local restaurants and individual donors. Over 50 businesses, community organizations and individual donors contributed to the event. In 2017, proceeds from Empty Bowls totaled $7,931.49. This year, we are thrilled to announce that the event raised $9,318.49! “Empty Bowls has become an event that the community looks forward to supporting every year,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director. “We’re very proud to be able to present this check to the Daily Bread, and to support our community members in need.” The donated funds will directly impact the Lynchburg Daily Bread, allowing them to continue to serve meals in our community. “We are so thankful for the tremendous community support of Empty Bowls, led by […]

Annie, Kids Spring Break Camp Takes the Stage with 41 Campers

April 6, 2018 Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts is proud to present the Academy Children’s Theatre spring break production, Annie, Kids on Saturday, April 7, 2018, in the Joy & Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre, 519 Commerce St., at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Annie, Kids features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. The cast of Annie, Kids is made up of 41 cast members, ages 8 to 14, from the Greater Lynchburg area. These talented actors are directed by Lauren Barnes, with assistance from Logan Troyer and Brooke Spencer. Tickets for the family-friendly production of Annie, Kids are $9.00, and are on sale at academycenter.org or in-person […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces August 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 29, 2018 Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES AUGUST 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTIST The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of Framatome, Inc., is excited to announce the final concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will close out the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, August 11, 2018, with headlining artist Wynonna & The Big Noise. Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music and undeniable talent, Wynonna’s rich and commanding voice has sold over 30-million albums worldwide spanning her remarkable 34-year career. As one-half of the legendary mother/daughter duo “The Judds,” Wynonna was once dubbed by Rolling Stone as “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline.” This iconic performer has received over 60 industry awards, with countless charting singles, including 20 No.1 hits such as “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not me,” and “Grandpa, (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days).” Wynonna […]

Apply for the ACOA Street Team

March 26, 2018 Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts is looking for a few volunteers to join our street team, starting this March! If you love the programs that we bring to Downtown Lynchburg – whether it be theatre, classes, art shows, camps, or concerts – and want to help support, the ACOA Street Team is the way to do it! What’s the job? Street team members will: Hang posters at various locations around town Hand out flyers and handbills at colleges, downtown Lynchburg locations, and special events (tickets provided to events) Represent the academy at area festivals (tickets provided) Spread the word via social media about upcoming events, performances, and other cool happenings at the Academy For your help, you’ll receive: A free ACOA T-shirt An ACOA Street Team sticker Two free tickets to the events you’re helping us promote Street Team Requirements: Be 18 years old or older Have access to reliable transportation Have a flexible schedule with ability to assist with one project every two months Must LOVE talking to people and spreading the word on ACOA events and happenings Interested? Apply for the ACOA Street Team today!

Academy Center of the Arts Announces July 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 22, 2018 Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES JULY 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTISTS The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of Centra Health, is excited to announce the third concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will continue the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, July 14, 2018, with headlining artists The Spin Doctors and Arrested Development. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Spin Doctors’ landmark debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, the band’s four original members, front man Barron, guitarist Eric Schenkman, bassist Mark White, and drummer Aaron Comess, can still appreciate the uncanny, enduring musical rapport that’s allowed them to maintain the upbeat energy and restless creativity that first endeared them to their fiercely devoted fan base. “When you get the four of us in one room, things just start to happen,” Schenkman asserts. “It instantly feels like the old days. The […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces June 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 15, 2018 Brittany Griffith

Naughty by nature big daddy kane lynchburg

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES JUNE 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTISTS The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of the Academy’s Restoration Partners, announce the second concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will continue the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, June 9, 2018, with headlining artists Naughty By Nature and Big Daddy Kane. The Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-album selling, New Jersey super-group, Naughty By Nature, has a twenty-year track record of creating the hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. Their music has smashed through mainstream barriers all while remaining true to the sound, message and grit of the hood. And now, these three kings of the Hip-Hop anthem have formally claimed their titles with the 20th Anniversary album, Anthem Inc. “We wouldn’t have reunited if we didn’t think we could give people that authentic Naughty feeling,” says the […]

Open Auditions for ‘Ragtime, the Musical’

March 12, 2018 Brittany Griffith

Ragtime the musical auditions lynchburg, academy lynchburg

The Academy Center of the Arts’ Community Through Theatre organization is hosting open auditions for their summer production of ‘Ragtime, the Musical‘, directed by Joshua Carter. Synopsis of ‘Ragtime, the Musical’: Something is stirring at the turn of the 20th century. An African American musician, aristocratic housewife, and Jewish immigrant’s worlds collide as each of them pursue the American dream. Adult Open Audition Dates: Thursday, March 15th from 6:30pm – 9:00pm Friday, March 16th from 6:30pm – 9:00pm Youth Open Auditions Dates: Saturday, March 17th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm **All youth should arrive at 2:00pm All auditions will be held at the Academy Center of the Arts’ warehouse theatre, 519 Commerce St., in the Lippard Room, found on the lower level of the building. Available roles: Mother: A housewife who suddenly seeks something more than the walls of her home on the hill. (30’s) Father: Mother’s proud and well-o husband. (30-40) Little Boy: Father and Mother’s son who sees the world explode at the turn of the 20th Century. (8-12) Younger Brother: Mother’s impressionable younger brother who seeks a sense of purpose. (20’s) Kathleen: Mother’s maid. Grandfather: Mother’s father. (60’s 70’s) People of New […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces April 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 8, 2018 Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES FIRST HEADLINER OF THE 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT SERIES The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of BWX Technologies, Inc., announces the first headlining artist of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will kick off the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series with headlining artist Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, along with the Secret Sisters on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Hot off the heels of his tour with Chris Stapleton, Stuart and his band will head to Lynchburg, VA as a stop on the Way Out West tour, performing music from his album, Way Out West, one of MOJO’s “Best Americana Albums of 2017.” The Secret Sisters, recently announced headliner of the 2018 Red Wing Roots Musical Festival and Grammy-nominee, will open for Marty Stuart. Leah Blevins, a nashville native, will open the show. The Academy Center of the Arts has set out to make […]

CONTACT US: