by Morgan Yeatts Currently on display in the back room of the Ann White Academy Gallery is a collection that is perhaps one of the most unique features yet. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Lavely Miller-Kershman is an artist who pushes the norms of painting technique in an extraordinary way; she paints with her fingers. “I began painting with my fingers when I ran out of brushes in college and didn’t have enough money to replace them,” she says. “Luckily for me, I found painting with a finger to be easier than using a brush. Basically anything is possible; a finger really isn’t that much different from a brush when it really comes down to it.” Lavely has been painting since childhood and can’t remember a time when she wasn’t a painter. Her father’s side of the family is strewn with artists, so it was natural for her to follow the fold. “I guess I have a genetic inclination towards artistic expression and also I grew up in a household where that sort of thing was valued and appreciated.” Lavely believes that the quality of a piece is not found in the materials used, but in […]
Host and Creator of This American Life Speaks in Lynchburg
Ira Glass is visiting the Academy Center of the Arts for a special, one-night appearance that you won’t want to miss! The host and creator of the public radio program This American Life will be sharing personal stories of Americans, what inspires him to create, and lessons he’s learned through his successes and failures. This unique and thought-provoking stage show, Seven Things I’ve Learned, is presented through audio clips, music, and video as Ira mixes stories live onstage. Glass began his career in radio as a 19 year old intern at National Public Radio’s network headquarters. He began This American Life in 1995, growing the show to now have 2.2 million weekly listeners and air on over 500 public radio stations. This American Life takes journalism to a different level by gathering stories every week and weaving them into a show that is both funny and complex. With over 600 episodes, the show also has two spin-off podcast shows, Serial and S-Town. In 2007, Showtime produced a TV version of This American Life, which won three Emmys. This event will take place Saturday, October 12th at 7:30pm in the Historic Academy Theatre. Click here to purchase […]
2019 National Juried Photography Exhibition Winners
The Annual National Juried Photography Exhibition at the Academy Center of the Arts opened on Friday, September 6, 2019, and the winners have been chosen! Over $3000 in cash awards was presented to the ten photographers listed below. Best in Show: $1000 awarded to James O. Phelps for “Emancipation Park” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts 2nd Place Award: $600 awarded to Joel Coleman for “Natsukashii” Sponsored by Cary and Robert Roberts 3rd Place Award: $400 awarded to Melanie Franz for “What Have We Become” Sponsored by Jamerson-Lewis Construction Juror’s Choice Award: $300 awarded to Jessica Jackman for “Isle of Wight Culture” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $250 awarded to Michelle Sons for “A Brief Dreamy Kind of Delight” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $200 awarded to Chris Walker for “Jordan and Andrew, Sauk Centre, Minnesota” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $200 awarded to Alan Raasch for “Progress” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $150 awarded to Sandra Chen […]
Providing Access to the Arts
by Morgan Yeatts Here at the Academy, our mission is to serve the community through arts and culture. One of the means by which we accomplish our mission is through providing art classes to all members of our community. Recently, our staff was able to provide assistance to two visually impaired students in our adult pottery class. Our Potter Basics and Beyond class is Kim Rickmon’s first ever art class experience, however she hopes to take more in the future. Her instructor, Kim, has altered her instruction in the necessary ways to assist Rickman’s experience in the class. “Kim does several things to help me out.” Rickmon says. “She describes what I need to do and if that doesn’t work, she will make something that I can touch and try to recreate myself. She has also held my hands to show me how to work the clay in certain ways.” Rickmon finds working with clay a relaxing and rewarding experience. “I’m generally proud of the things I make. It’s nice to have something that’s just my own, and pottery makes me feel as though I have that.” Victoria Hauck has experience with painting classes, […]
Jim Ackley Announced as New Director of Community Through Theatre
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
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.” […]
The Best of Us Celebrates Community
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 […]
Meet the Staff: Tabitha Abbott
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 […]
Meet the Staff: Tyler Herron
by Morgan Yeatts Tyler Herron knew from a young age that lighting design was the career he wanted to pursue. He remembers telling his parents that, someday, he was going to be a lighting designer for a mega church. Growing up, he gained experience working with the lighting design crew at the church he attended in Hope, Arkansas, and at the age of 12, was invited to go on tour with David Phelps, Christian southern gospel singer, and work with his lighting team. Tyler attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, with the intended major of theatre with an emphasis in technical theatre. Part way through his degree, he got a job at as lighting designer for a mega church in Little Rock, bringing his youthful predictions to fruition. When he got the opportunity, he left school to work there full time, and stayed for over 5 years, gaining invaluable experience through hands on work. A time came when Tyler felt that he needed a change, a new challenge, so he began applying for lighting design jobs all over the nation. “I needed to find someone who would take a chance on me,” he said. Although he had […]
Lynchstock Music Festival 2018
by Morgan Yeatts The Academy Center of the Arts is proud to be presenting the sixth annual Lynchstock Music Festival! Since its beginning, Lynchstock has been one of the most attended and loved events in Lynchburg. This year, the festival will be held in the fall rather than the spring, on the 20th of October, a Lynchstock Music Festival first. It’s the perfect opportunity to break out the flannels and kick the fall vibes into high gear! This year’s lineup is one of the best yet, with headliners COIN and Dr. Dog. There will be a wide variety of artists representing numerous genres, including many of Lynchburg’s own talented bands and artists. A few Lynchstock veterans, Joel Robert Kaiser and Vacation Manor, will also be returning to their hometown for this exciting day of music and community. Other artists include The Dundies, Oceanic, L.A. Dies, Apple Butter Soul, Tony Camm and the Funk Allstars, and many others! For those of you who have attended Lynchstock in the past, you already know what goes down at this amazing event, from the performances, food trucks, local vendors, spoken word poetry, and inspiring vibe. However, if you’re a newcomer to […]
