Create a Lasting Work of Art at Piedmont Arts’ Art Garden Family Day

Create a permanent part of Piedmont Arts’ new R.P. Gravely-A.J. Lester Art Garden at Art Garden Family Day on Saturday, April 22. 

All ages are invited to join the museum from 11 am – 1 pm for a free Family Day, where guests will help artist Beryl Solla install mosaic tile murals on the gateway sign that welcomes guests into the Art Garden.

“Many members of the community helped create tiles for this project at Salt Marsh Family Day in February,” said Director of Marketing, Communications and Design Bernadette Moore. “Now, everyone has the chance to help make these tiles part of a larger piece of art – a piece that is truly crafted by the community. 

Small groups will work with Solla throughout the event to complete four tile murals that represent the four seasons.

“Each mural will have a different theme that relates not only to the seasons, but to Virginia and Martinsville-Henry County,” said Moore. “There will be a dogwood, a butterfly, a pumpkin and a cardinal. All themes that are easily recognizable and that resonate with the community.”

Solla is chairman of the Art Department at Piedmont Virginia Community College. She received a BA from Florida International University and an MFA from the University of Miami – Florida. She has completed many public art projects in Virginia and has worked with students in Martinsville-Henry County on several in-school murals, as part of Piedmont Arts’ Educational Outreach Program. 

Art Garden Family Day is held in conjunction with Virginia Museum of Natural History’s Earth Day Festival in J. Frank Wilson Park. Join VMNH from 10 am – 3 pm for free games, crafts and activities.