Happy Birthday, America! Family Day
10 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, Gravely-Lester Art Garden
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday at this fun Family Day. The free, birthday party-themed event will feature fun activities for all ages, including a bounce house, games, DIY party hats, and a red, white, and blue star scratch art craft. Snacks will also be available courtesy of Food Lion on Greensboro Road.
Happy Birthday, America! Family Day offers families a chance to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial through hands-on activities and community fun in a festive outdoor setting.
In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held at Piedmont Arts.
Admission is free.
This event is sponsored by Brightspeed and Carter Bank.
On View
Expressions 2026: America 250
On view through Aug. 14
Offering an innovative and meaningful artistic experience for artists and the community by transforming the milestone of America’s 250th anniversary into a platform for contemporary creative expression.
Admission is free.
Works by Lily Ebrahimi
On view through Aug. 14
Ebrahimi is a student artist with a diverse background in dance and visual arts. Her painting, “The Last of the Cherry Tomatoes,” won the Piedmont Arts Guild Special Student Award in “Expressions 2025” and a silver medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in 2026.
Admission is free.
These exhibits are sponsored by VisitMartinsville, Brightspeed, Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, Lynwood Artists, and What’s Your Sign.
Upcoming Events
‘Expressions’ Artwork Pickup
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15
Artists with work on display in Expressions 2026: America 250 should pick up their work between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. Artists should use the museum’s front entrance when picking up their work.
Piedmont Arts will not assume responsibility for artwork that is left in the gallery after the designated pickup date. Any artwork, including that which has been purchased, will be removed from the premises if unclaimed after 30 days. All work must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit.
If you are unable to pick up your work on the designated date, email Director of Exhibitions and Marketing, Bernadette Moore, at bmoore@piedmontarts.org to arrange an alternative pickup date.
Exhibit Opening Reception
5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of its new exhibits. A gallery talk with “COLLECTive Concerns” curator and artist Reni Gower and Chris Gregson will be held at 6:15 p.m. Music by Joanie McPeak. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
Exhibits on view:
• COLLECTive Concerns: Collage and Assemblage
• Chris Gregson: Novus Ordo Seclorum
• Bull Mountain Arts
RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Admission is free.
These exhibits are sponsored by Katie and Jack Adkins, Lucy Coleman, Olivia and Pres Garrett, Gale and Will Gravely, Melody Margrave, Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, Lynwood Artists, and What’s Your Sign.
Savory September: New York, New York
6:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18
Big city flavors meet small town charm at this New York-themed fundraiser for the arts.
Local chefs will serve up small bites straight from the soul of the city: the corner deli, the late-night slice joint, the ballpark, and the legendary supper clubs of Manhattan. Pair that with custom cocktails and live music by Marie Anderson, and you’ve got yourself a party worth hailing a cab for.
Tickets: Admission is $65 per person and includes food and drinks. 50/50 raffle tickets are $20 each or $100 for six.
News
Student artist discusses work
Student artist Lily Ebrahimi spoke to a crowd of around 50 guests on July 23 at Piedmont Arts.
She discussed her artistic training, the influence her family has had on her art, and her plans for the future.
An accomplished artist and dancer, she has trained at the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, with visual artist Patricia Kapral in Roanoke, Virginia, and with dancer Pedro Szalay, the former director of Southwest Virginia Ballet. She plans to attend William & Mary in the fall to study biology.
An exhibit of Ebrahimi’s work is on view in the museum’s Foster Gallery through Aug. 14. Admission is free.
The talk was held in conjunction with the monthly meeting of the Piedmont Arts Guild. To learn more about the Guild, click here.
Voting is open for the ‘Expressions 2026’ People’s Choice Award
Guests are encouraged to visit the galleries to vote for the “Expressions 2026: America 250” People’s Choice Award before the exhibit closes on Aug. 14. The winner will be announced the following day.
Classes + Camps
Bob Ross Workshop
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
First Thursday of each month
Learn Bob Ross’ famous technique with certified instructor Naomi Hodge-Muse.
Tickets: $75 for members and $85 for nonmembers.
Yoga in the Galleries
6-7 p.m.
Second Tuesday of each month
Enjoy a relaxing traditional or chair yoga session with instructor Ally Snead in the galleries.
Tickets: $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.
Chix with Stix
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Second and fourth Tuesday of each month
Self-guided sessions provide a space to socialize while knitting.
Tickets: Free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
Indigo Shibori Workshop
1-4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Experience the magic of natural indigo dyeing with instructor Jennifer Reis.
Tickets: $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers.
