Spring 2026 Arts Array Brochure

Spring of 2026

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Spring of 2026 Arts Array is a VHCC-sponsored series of concerts, plays, art events, lectures, films, and more!

Cover Art Winner for Arts Array Spring 2026

The winner of the competition for the Arts Array cover design is Alesha Russell!

Who can

ATTEND?

Most of our Arts Array events are free and open to the public.

Please see the individual event to learn if an RVSP is required or if there is an additional cost associated with attendance.

Our

PARTNERS

Barter Theatre Emory & Henry University King University University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Our

Washington County Public Library System William King Museum of Art Virginia Commission for the Arts Virginia Highlands Festival

SPONSORS

If you would like to sponsor the Arts Array program or a specific Arts Array event, contact Debbie McCroskey at (276) 739-2536.

Need more

INFORMATION?

For additional information about the Arts Array please contact:

Marie Porterfield ~ mporterfield@vhcc.edu ~ 276-739-2550 Dr. Ryan Whittington ~ rwhittington@vhcc.edu ~ 276-739-2454

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“I Dream” Visual Art Luminary Student Exhibition Monday, February 2 - Tuesday, February 24 VHCC Art Gallery, LRC

Visit the VHCC Art Gallery in February to see student works of art exploring the concept of “I Dream.” This show is part of the Virginia Community College System’s state-wide student art competition. The VHCC Art Gallery is located in the campus library in the LRC building, which is open during regular business hours.

Ceramic Luminaries Workshop

Friday, February 20 • 10 am - 1 pm Art Lab at William King Museum of Art RSVP Required!

In this workshop, participants will work with templates and slab clay to create a small ceramic wall luminary for a votive candle.

Time permitting, participants may apply color underglaze to “paint” their pottery. Due to constuction, this workshop is locaed in a classroom only accessed by a staircase. This event is presented in partnership with the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art. Space is limited to 15 participants. Contact Marie at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve your spot!

Visual Art Luminary & Poet Laureate Closing Reception, Poetry Reading, & Awards Ceremony Tuesday, February 24 • 2 pm VHCC Art Gallery, LRC

Join us for a poetry reading, closing reception, and awards ceremony for the VHCC Visual Art Luminary and Poet Laureate competition exploring the theme of “I Dream.” First-place winners in each category of visual art and poetry will be chosen to represent VHCC at a state-wide competition and celebration of the arts hosted by the Virginia Community College System. Attend this special event and help us celebrate the hard work and vast imagination of our many talented campus artists and poets!

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Trains

Thursday, February 26 • 7:30 pm Barter Theatre, Smith Stage RSVP Required!

On October 31, 1919, an angry mob in Corbin, Kentucky, drove 200 Black citizens from town on railcars. Thirteen years later, Travis Hampton and his father, Lester, now living in Knoxville, are still dealing with the memories of that night. One night, Travis’ former friend, a white man named Junior Greevy, shows up at their door with a business proposition. Can Junior be trusted? Or does his presence present an even greater threat than before? Don’t miss this world premiere, the first work to be fully developed through Barter’s Black Stories Black Voices Initiative.

Tickets are limited. RSVP to mporterfield@vhcc.edu to request tickets.

VHCC students and Arts Array partners are given preference for reservations.

Trains will be performed in the Barter’s Smith Theatre. Stairs will be required to access seating. Content advisory: intense language and themes of prejudice.

Paint Your Own Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Friday, February 27 • 10 am VHCC Art Studio, LRC-223 RSVP Required!

Join the owners of Wolf Den Games for a Dungeons and Dragons Miniature painting workshop. All supplies are provided, and no previous painting or D&D experience is required. Space is limited.

Participants must RSVP by emailing rwhittington@vhcc.edu in order to attend.

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Stephen Curd Fashion Design Exhibition Monday, March 2 - Wednesday, April 29 VHCC Art Gallery

Visit the VHCC Art Gallery to view the much-adored local artist Stephen Curd’s stunning clothing designs and exquiste handmade items. He has worked for 17 years as a clothing designer and owner of Lavelle Designs, focusing most recently on tailoring custom pieces, including jeans and jackets, handcrafting leather items, like belts and bags, and creating distinctive jewelry. His exhibition features hand-selected works from his collection. The VHCC Art Gallery is located in the campus library in the LRC building, which is open during regular hours.

Pocket Altars Workshop

Friday, March 6 • 10 am - 1 pm 3-D Lab, Art Lab at William King Museum of Art RSVP Required!

In this workshop, participants will use simple stitching to create personalized pocket altars. A pocket altar, or pocket shrine, is a small fabric “booklet” which houses charms, embroidery, small photos, art, and other ephemera of significance. It may be kept for spiritual purposes, personal reflection, goals and manifesting, memoralizing a loved one, or another special reason. When the altar is not in use, it folds to a small, discrete size, making it easy to store and transport. Due to construction, this workshop is located in a classroom only accessed by a staircase. This event is presented in partnership with the Art Lab at the William King Museum of Art. Space is limited to 15 participants. Contact Marie at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve your spot!

Fear & Trembling: The Art of Storytelling in Fantasy and Horror Tuesday, March 17 • 2 pm VHCC Library, LRC

Dr. Jenn Krause from Emory and Henry University will lead a workshop on analyzing and understanding the horror and fantasy genres in literature and film.

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Appalachian Dulcimer Building Workshop First Workshop: Friday, March 20 • 10 am Follow-Up Workshop: Friday, March 27 • 10 am LRC-225 RSVP Required!

Local artist and expert Roxanne McDaniel will guide participants through building an Appalachian Dulcimer from a kit on March 20.

Participants will return the next Friday to finish their creations and learn to play a few simple folk tunes from the region, just in time for International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on March 29.

Spaces are limited, so participants must RSVP by emailing rwhittington@vhcc.edu in order to attend.

“The Heron’s Journey” with Storyteller Adam Booth

Signature Event

Thursday, March 26 • 2 pm Keyser-Aday Theatre, LRC *Photo credit: Maria and Alex Benjamin

“The Heron’s Journey” is a performance art piece combining spoken storytelling, quilting, paper sculpture, and intentional movement to share an allegory filled with magic, challenges to opposition, and transformation.

Meet the title character Lake in various forms of self-discovery on his journey from boy to heron, where he learns about authority, rejection, finding home, and acceptance. Audience members have found themselves deep within the story echoing themes such as immigration, orientation, ability, spiritual freedom, and self-awareness. While some children have enjoyed this program, it is most suitable for mature teenagers through adults because of the themes mentioned above.

The presentation includes visual and physical contributions from quilter Amy Pabst, printmaker Sarah Brown, and movement specialist Toneta Akers-Toler.

This signature event is free of charge thanks to the generous support of the VHCC Arts Array program and in partnership with the Virginia Highlands Festival. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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The Three Musketeers

Thursday, April 2 • 7:30 pm Barter Theatre, Gilliam Stage RSVP Required!

This witty and action-packed adventure follows the friendships of young D’Artagnan and his band of swashbuckling Musketeers as they fight to protect the ones they love from the evil Cardinal Richelieu.

It’s a story of double crossings, kidnappings, and carefully guarded secrets, complete with lavish sword fights and sweeping romance, set in a time when love and honor ruled the world. This 8-person version has been especially adapted for Barter’s Resident Acting Company.

Tickets are limited. RSVP to mporterfield@vhcc.edu to request tickets.

VHCC students and Arts Array partners are given preference for reservations.

VHCC Student Art Exhibition Saturday, April 4 - Thursday, April 30 The Arts Depot

Visit the Arts Depot in Abingdon to see an exhibition of VHCC student art made during the 2025 -2026 academic year. Works include examples from courses in drawing, painting, graphic design, two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design, and time-based art.

This event is free and open to the public during the regular business hours of the Arts Depot.

Indigo Shibori Workshop with Stephen Curd Friday, April 10 • 11 am - 1 pm VHCC Art Studio, LRC-223 RSVP Required!

Join beloved local artist and fashion designer Stephen Curd for a workshop exploring Indigo Shibori, a Japanese fabric dyeing technique. In the workshop, participants will learn about the chemistry of indigo dye. Next attendees will practice folding and twisting techniques to create two unique cotton items: a tote bag and a scarf. No prior experience is necessary.

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Contact Marie at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve your spot!

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Echoes of Reverie and Light Saturday, April 11 • 7 pm ETSU Martin Center for the Arts Ticket Required!

The VHCC Concert Choir will join Symphony of the Mountains and Voices of the Mountains to sing Morten Lauridsen’s fivemovement requiem Lux Aeterna. Other music on the concert includes Grieg’s Morning Mood and Schumann’s deeply expressive Cello Concerto in A Minor featuring cellist Eliana Yang.

Students and children receive free tickets at the door.

Adult tickets are $51.47.

D&D 101

Tuesday, April 14 • 2 pm VHCC Library, LRC

Join our friend Dillon from the library to learn the basics of Dungeons & Dragons, create your own character, and walk away ready for an adventure! In the first part of the workshop, our resident expert, Dillon, will demystify what D&D is, what it isn’t, and how the game actually works. The second half of the workshop will focus on character creation. We’ll explore what makes a compelling player character and walk through the fundamental choices involved, including ancestry (species), class (archetype), and the personality or story elements that bring the character to life.

Meet the Artist Reception for Student Art Exhibition Saturday, April 18 • 2 pm - 4pm The Arts Depot

Enjoy art, snacks, and conversation at the Meet the Artists Reception for the VHCC Student Art Exhibition at the Arts Depot in Abingdon.

The annual VHCC Student Art Exhibition at the Arts Depot celebrates the culmination of a year of hard work and dedication by the students enrolled in art courses at VHCC. Please join us to support our vibrant VHCC emerging artists! This event is free and open to the public.

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Old Time String Band Concert Monday, April 20 • 7 pm Keyser-Aday Theatre, LRC

Join us for a pleasant evening of music featuring the wonderful VHCC Old-Time String Band under the direction of Mary Munsey. Students and community members form this band of music enthusiasts who are enrolled in the VHCC Old-Time String Band course, which has been offered on our campus each spring since 2012.

Accordion Books Workshop

Friday, April 24 • 10 am - 1 pm Art Lab at William King Museum of Art RSVP Required!

In this workshop, participants will create a sewing-free hard-cover accordion book. Participants will learn simple folding, cutting, and gluing techniques, work with decorative papers, and explore ways to embellish and personalize their creations. This workshop will take place in a stairs-free, ground-level classroom, accessible from the Museum’s alleyway.

This event is presented in partnership with the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art. Space is limited to 15 participants. Contact Marie at mporterfield@vhcc.edu to reserve your spot!

The Gift to Sing: VHCC Concert Choir Spring Concert Tuesday, April 28 • 7 pm Keyser-Aday Theatre, LRC

VHCC Concert Choir will be joined by King University’s King Chorale for an exciting collaborative concert featuring an array of joyous and introspective music by Marques L. A. Garrett, Josephine Poelinitz, Gwyneth Walker, Morten Lauridsen, and more!

You won’t want to miss the stunning music by these wonderful musicians.

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Stateline Wind Symphony Concert

Tuesday, April 28 • 7:15 pm Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Join us for a delightful spring concert featuring the Stateline Wind Symphony, whose philosophy is to play music and have fun doing it! Stateline Wind Symphony concerts are presented free of charge as part of a mission to serve local citizens with good symphonic music at no cost; however, donations are appreciated. VHCC is proud of our students and alumni who participate in this fun local group. Co-conductors are Scott Lambert and Mark Collins.

Alesha Russell Art Exhibition May 2026 - August 2026 VHCC Art Gallery, LRC

Visit the campus gallery during the summer semester to view works of art made by one of our stunningly talented VHCC community artists, Alesha Russell. Followers of the arts at VHCC will recognize this multi-talented artist from her solos in the choir and her excellent performances in the campus plays. Her paintings are wonderfully delightful, as demonstrated by her winning cover design of jellyfish featured on the Spring 2026 Arts Array Brochure.

The VHCC Art Gallery is located in the campus library in the LRC building, which is open during regular business hours.

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What is Arts Array?

Arts Array is a VHCC-sponsored series of arts events that offers a diverse range of cultural experiences to both students and the wider community.

Here’s a summary of key aspects: • Variety: The program encompasses a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines, including musical concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, and more.

• Accessibility: All Arts Array events are free and open to students, their families, and the public, making them accessible to a broad audience.

• Community Enrichment: The program aims to enrich the lives of community members by providing opportunities to engage with and appreciate various forms of art.

Essentially, Arts Array serves as a vital platform for promoting artistic expression and fostering a vibrant cultural environment within the VHCC community and beyond.

Want to support our mission?

Community support expands our ability to provide valuable cultural experiences like the ones offered by the VHCC Arts Array series.

As a Business or Individual Sponsor, you will help the VHCC Arts Array Program with our mission to provide students and the people in our community opportunities to experience, enjoy, and support the visual, musical, film, and performing arts that can help bring us all together. Specifically, these include: • Facilitating a series of musical concerts featuring outstanding performers • Providing opportunities to visit art exhibits, artist talks, and places of artistic interest • Hosting various theatre events both on and off campus • Screening independent, foreign and award-winning films

Please support the Arts Array Program Series by becoming a sponsor or making a donation here: www.vhcc.edu/arts-array-sponsorship

www.vhcc.edu/artsarray

VHCC is an equal opportunity/open access institution.

Si necesita ayuda en espanol, marque el numero 276-739-2559.