New exhibits opening Jan. 23
Exhibit Opening Reception
5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, Piedmont Arts
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of its new exhibits from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, at the museum. The reception will feature live music by Ann Nichols. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
A gallery talk with American Watercolor Society member artists Kevin Deck of Roanoke, Virginia, and David L. Stickel of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as well as Gail Doyle Smith, will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the galleries.
Exhibits on view:
• American Watercolor Society 158th Traveling Exhibition
• Act II: Paintings by Gail Doyle Smith
• Opening Minds Through Art: Work by King’s Grant Residents
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Sponsored by Olivia and Pres Garrett, Gale and Will Gravely, Charisse and David Hairston, Kathy and Hank Long, Nancy and Henry Moore, Brenda and Joe Williams, Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, Lynwood Artists, Sovah Health, and What’s Your Sign.
Upcoming Events
African American Read-In + Family Day
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, Piedmont Arts
The annual African American Read-In and Family Day will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at Piedmont Arts.
Griot, or storyteller, Fred Motley will entertain with folktales, the Kuumba West African Dance Company will share traditional folklore through song, music, and dance, and Miss Commonwealth 2026 Victoria Howard will make a special appearance. Guests are invited to participate in a public read-aloud. Participants should bring a book, story, or poem by a favorite African American author to share with the group.
Members of Piedmont Arts’ Teen Arts Council will provide a free craft for children, and the Piedmont Arts Guild will give away door prizes. Snacks will be available. This event is free, and all ages are welcome.
Sponsored by Brightspeed and Carter Bank.
Foster Gallery Reception
4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, Piedmont Arts
Join Piedmont Arts and the Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County for a free event celebrating students with work on display in the Foster Gallery from 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Piedmont Arts.
The exhibit will be on display from Jan. 23-Feb. 27. It features work by students attending the following schools:
• Carlisle Middle School
• Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School
• Laurel Park Middle School
• Martinsville Middle School
This event is free and open to exhibiting students, their families, and friends.
Dancing for the Arts 2026
3 p.m., Saturday, March 14, MHS Auditorium
Dancing for the Arts, the fabulous fundraiser for Piedmont Arts, returns to the stage at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 14, at Martinsville High School Auditorium.
In this dazzling, high-energy dance competition, teams of local celebrities and community leaders compete for a cause — supporting the arts! Your votes support your favorite teams and the arts in Martinsville-Henry County.
Admission tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission and $10 for students in grades K-12.
DFTA teams:
• Katie Adkins + Brandon Johnson
• Shan’Tyia Hairston + Maurice Breedlove
• Tiffanie Hairston + Brian Hairston
• Sarah Hodges + Kasey Lucas
• Elizabeth Huerta + Alfredo Huerta
• Margie Price-Savedge + Christopher Janey
• Shatera Robertson + Louis Norton
• Melissa White + Al Herndon
Mike Wiley: A Game Apart
Thursday, March 26, Piedmont Arts
Actor and playwright Mike Wiley will perform “A Game Apart,” a one-person play about baseball legend Jackie Robinson, on Thursday, March 26, at Piedmont Arts. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performance at 7 p.m. in the galleries.
“A Game Apart” offers a powerful lesson of courage through dedication, perseverance, and leadership. The play provides a glimpse into Robinson’s life during the era of segregated locker rooms, whites-only hotels, and restaurants with only a back door for athletes of color to enter. Witness the struggles of a star player who was celebrated on the field but became a second-class citizen when he walked off the diamond.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students in grades K-12.
Classes
Bob Ross Workshop
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5
Yoga in the Galleries (Chair)
10-11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Yoga in the Galleries
10-11 a.m.
Saturday, March 28
Chix with Stix
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Second and fourth Tuesdays
