academy Archives - Academy Center of the Arts

Virginia Artists Featured in VMFA Artmobile Exhibition in Lynchburg

November 20, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

This past weekend, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Artmobile took up temporary residency in our Historic Theatre courtyard. The mobile art museum was free to the public and over 200 visitors viewed the exhibition over the course of the weekend. “It was great partnering with the Academy Center of the Arts to share works by prominent Virginia artists with the people of Lynchburg,” said Sean Kane, VMFA Artmobile staff. “The Artmobile’s debut exhibit, How Far Can Creativity Take You: VMFA Fellowship Artists, focuses on works made by 12 fellows who have achieved acclaim in the art world and are represented in the museum’s permanent collection.” Lynchburg local Lauren Barnes and her daughter visited the artmobile during its stay. “We are huge art lovers and were thrilled to have the VMFA artmobile visit Lynchburg! The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming or knowledgable. Thank you to the Academy for bringing this incredible and free gift to Lynchburg.” Academy Board of Trustees Member Elizabeth Stroud was thrilled for the opportunity to expose her kids to local art. “The VMFA artmobile was a great opportunity to introduce my kids to some truly brilliant Virginia artists,” she said. “My 5 year […]

Academy to Host Mobile Art Exhibition

October 21, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

This November, the Academy is partnering with Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to host the VMFA Artmobile in the courtyard of the Historic Academy Theatre during a weekend of events on our campus. This incredible mobile museum features art from acclaimed artists who all have a connection to Virginia in some way. Artists include Ann Chenoweth, Esther Worden Day, Emmet Gowin, and Benjamin Wigfall, among others. The very first Artmobile opened in 1953 and in just three weeks attracted over 5,000 visitors. Through the years, the traveling exhibit was well received by Virginians in all corners of the state, but unfortunately the program ended in 1994 due to budgetary constraints and concerns about protecting the art on the road. In 2015, the museum was able to resurrect the Artmobile in an 18 wheeler that features a 640 feet temperature controlled display space that comfortably holds the art and visitors. The VMFA on the Road program was created with the mission of reaching as many people in Virginia as possible with stops all over the state. The Academy is the VMFA Artmobile’s second to last stop on their 2019 tour. They will be staying November 15-17. Join […]

Looking Forward to Ain’t Misbehavin’

October 21, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

This coming November, Community Through Theatre will be presenting the 1978 Tony Award winning musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’. This jazzy show won 4 Tony Awards in its prime, including Best Musical, and is a musical celebration of legendary musician, Fats Waller. Joshua Carter will be directing our production, which will be performed in the Warehouse Theater. “I think that this show is a perfect balance of sugar and spice,” he says. “It is a celebration of simpler times and a reminder of what good music sounds like.” This will be the most intimate show yet, with a small cast of 11 actors. Carter’s vision for the staging of the production is to immerse the audience in the Harlem club scene. The audience will be arranged to surround three-fourths of the stage, seated right in the thick of the performance. “I want to bring the Harlem Renaissance to life,” says Carter, “not only to revue the timeless music of the era, but also the stories, lives, and people of that time.” We invite you to join us for this incredible production. Showtimes are at 7:30pm November 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9, and 2:00pm November 2, 3, and 10. […]

Painting Without Brushes

October 14, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

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

September 30, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

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

September 9, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

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

July 24, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

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

April 1, 2019 by 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 by 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.” […]

The Best of Us Celebrates Community

February 6, 2019 by 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 […]