Year in Review FY 2025
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5/7/25 9:10 AM
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LETTER From the Executive Director Dear Friends and Supporters, This past year has been remarkable, and I am grateful for the support and dedication of our Board of Trustees, remarkable staff, and truly engaged donors and volunteers. Last August, 2024, we broke ground on a new wing to house the Worrell Collection of Wildlife Art, as well as beginning extensive renovations to our 20-acre campus and its roads, parking and other infrastructure. It has been the largest capital gift and initiative this museum has ever undertaken and promises to move the museum forward as a major cultural asset for the entire region. Scheduled to open June 2026, the new wing has, at this writing, gone from a dream to a steel structure about to be clad in its outer layer of custom-made bricks. Throughout fiscal year 2024-25, our skilled and talented staff curated exhibits, provided lectures, and taught art classes to all ages. Visitors enjoyed exhibitions that included local 20th century ceramics, original Art Nouveau posters, carbon pencil drawings of large animals, memories of Italy in pencil, and the history of the guitar from medieval times to present...just to name a few. Adult classes expanded to provide cutting-edge instruction of a wide range of topics in the museum’s Art Lab, and the youth education department continued their delivery directly to schools across the region using art for object-based learning, as well as continuing our much-loved summer Art Camp. Our Board of Trustees, under the leadership of its president, George Whitley, excelled in its own support and in building community support. Due to their commitment and dedication, our William King Society is growing in numbers and becoming the museum’s true Standard Bearers of Support, and our two annual fundraisers, Mistletoe Market and Dining...fit for a king, are now more successful than ever. In the new year, we look forward to the continued leadership of our board, the excellent work of our talented staff, and the partnership of foundations, community, and friends, all of which are making our dream a reality. William King Museum of Art is, indeed……. On the Verge of Something Wonderful! -Betsy K. White, Executive Director
B O A R D O F Leslie Brewer Bundy T R U S T E E S Alison Rose Marie Burriss George Whitley, President Susan Mole, Vice President Charles Goolsby, Secretary Shana Carrico, Treasurer
Rita Copenhaver David Dalton Richard M. Davidson Martin Dotterweich
Andrew Dracopoli Brent J. Dyson Evelyn Goldston Jane Harter Ashley Hembree Rick Humphreys Ben Jennings Jerry Jones
Mary Trent Jones Brad Kreps Emily Lee Margaret Linford Greg McMillan Karen Vann Shannon Worrell
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CAMPUS EXPANSION On August 20, 2024 we broke ground on a major new wing to house the Worrell Collection of Wildlife Art. The collection is comprised of approximately 170 original wildlife paintings and sculptures and is one of the most significant of its kind in the US. Collected by Gene and Anne Worrell over more than 25 years, the collection is being moved from its Charlottesville home to a dedicated, new wing at WKMA. The project includes a world-class gallery for the Worrell Collection, a welcome gallery dedicated to regional artwork, storage for the museum’s art collection, an accessible new entrance, a lobby, a café, and a sculpture garden. The design team of Schulhof Rashidi Architects and Wolf Josey Landscape Architects was selected in 2022 with the goal of transforming the museum’s 20acre site into an arts campus and community park. The building’s materials celebrate the crafts of the region and the museum’s heritage collection. The façade of the building is made of brick, with portions glazed in colors reminiscent of regional pottery and bricklaying patterns inspired by quilt designs. The design team’s vision for the WKMA campus will include sculpture placed in native plant and pollinator gardens. Visitors will have a truly immersive outdoor experience. The native planting palette references regionally specific plant communities, strengthening WKMA’s connection to its natural setting.
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Year in Review
EXHIBITS We welcomed almost 5000 visitors from all across America, as well as Scotland & Japan. We held 7 Members, Lenders, and Special Guests Receptions to celebrate the opening of new exhibits, from photography to painting to ceramics. In conjunction with the Virginia Highlands Festival, we hosted the 8th Annual Plein Air Abingdon Grand Finale Exhibit Reception with all proceeds from art sold going to disaster relief. WKMA Members were treated to 5 Members’ Morning events where they had the opportunity to learn more about the exhibits from the artists and curators.
We held 5 family friendly Tours at Four/Tours at Two where adults and kids had the opportunity to experience a curator led tour, demonstrations, and a special activity. We also held public tours, an event at Sweetbay Brewing, and On the Terrace events to celebrate our exhibits.
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R OTAT I N G E X H I B I TS
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5000 V I S I TO R S
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Year in Review
YOUTH EDUCATION 13,929 children experienced the joy of art through our Youth Education programs. These programs include VanGogh Outreach, Heritage Express, tours, art camps, classes, and after school activities. Our VanGogh Outreach spread the love of art to 10,625 second and third graders across Southwest Virginia. Our Heritage Express program is a museum experience tailored to fourth graders that immerses students in the history of the Great Road and the early pioneering spirit that brought settlers to the mountains. We also offered weekly classes on our campus for homeschool students.
13,292 TOTAL STUDENTS
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The theme for Art Camp 2025 was Then and Now, Near and Far. Students learned about unique World Culture related themes ranging from local Appalachian handcrafting traditions to Art History focused-projects from cultures around the world.
My daughter loved art camp! The hours were great for working families. Pickup and dropoff was easy and safe. Most importantly she had fun! She enjoyed the many different art activities and loved getting outside time. Art Camp is a great option for a summer activity and we are already looking forward to next year. - Megan Templeton, mom of Art Camp student
Art Camp was so fun. It was relaxing, educational and most importantly we had the chance to let our creativity run true. I love the pottery. It was so relaxing because I could shape the clay into anything. I made lots of new friends. I hope to do it again next year. -Carly, Art Camp student, age 10
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Year in Review
ART LAB Art Lab had an enrollment of 177 students. We offered 24 classes to the adult public. We also offered teen summer camp with themes that included Halloween in July and Ancient Art.
177
STUDENTS ATTENDED CLASSES
We hosted 9 guest instructors across teen camp and adult classes including Charles Vess, Jason Flack, Lynn Earnest, Beka Addison, Morgan Ford, Briana Fillers,Tracy Ratliff, Eric Drummund Smith, Angelique Frayley. We collaborated with artist Donna Bird to host 9 figure drawing sessions. We continued our partnership with Virgina Highlands Community College by providing 6 Arts Array studio art workshops and teaching 2 for-credit courses in our Digital Lab.
When my daughter and I come to the museum, it feels like stepping into possibility. We get to make things together, sometimes beautifully, sometimes messily, and always with curiosity. The art we see sparks questions about process and form, while the art we make helps us to discover surprising sides of ourselvesand of each other. What I love most is that it's never just about the two of us; it's about feeling connected to a larger community that values creativity, learning, and joy in the journey. -Karalee Greenwald, student
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Since my retirement, I’ve taken several ceramic classes at the WKMA’s Art Lab and have thoroughly enjoyed the experiences. The classes are affordable, the Art Lab is a wonderful creative space, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the instructors are knowledgeable, professional and inspire the creative process.The Art Lab is the only one of its kind in the immediate area and is conveniently located and the renovations will enhance not only the beauty of the campus but make it more accessible as well. -Rita Rust, student
We served the community with facility rentals including APEC who hosted artist Elizabeth Vega and her work at the intersection of art and activism. My students in the Professional Arts Engagement class benefited tremendously from their experiences with the WKMA/ Art Lab Curators, Director, and Education staff. The workshops provided them with direct exposure to professional practices and enhanced their confidence in pursuing creative work and careers. In our printmaking class, the WKMA workshops were highly effective, offering hands-on instruction with excellent guidance and opening new possibilities for the students. The experiences inspired my students to experiment further in their artistic practices. I deeply appreciate WKMA’s role in supporting emerging artists, established artists, and educators by providing such meaningful opportunities for growth. -Charles Goolsby, Professor Emeritus, Emory & Henry College
Art Lab provided 10 mini exhibits which included shows by resident artists, educational exhibits, and student exhibits.
10 MINI EXHIBITS
Director of Higher Education Laken Bridges learned about creative placemaking through the Creative Placemaking Summit in Montgomery, Alabama. We provided 7 enrichment field trips to area high schools and served 11 public school teachers with an in-service session. We hosted Arrowmont School of Craft, a program that serves up to 300 elementary and middle school students. Art Lab shared our love of art at the Art Struck Festival in Johnson City, Tennessee.
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Year in Review
FUNDRAISERS 25 th Annual Mistletoe Market This year’s Mistletoe Market was a huge success! We celebrated the 25 th anniversary of the market with a Silver Bells Gala & Silent Auction. As usual, we held a Champagne Brunch catered by Your Grate Escape and a Family Day with a special visit from Santa. We welcomed vendors who filled 85 booths with local art, holiday items, jewelry, clothes, crafts, décor, and more. 3030 people enjoyed shopping at the 2024 Mistletoe Market. We would like to thank our sponsors! Platinum sponsors: Food City and The Bank of Marion. Silver Sponsor: Stateline Wealth Advisors. Gala sponsors: Viking Cruises and Cary Street Partners. Gala hosts: Marvin and Marcia Gilliam.
Dining... Fit for a King This series of dining events offers unique culinary experiences organized by William King Museum of Art and hosted individually by members of the community. This series of dining events offers unique culinary experiences ranging from “Brunch on the Front Porch” to “Summer Social at Middle Fork Barn”. We would like to thank all of our event hosts who made this fundraiser possible, as well as our sponsors, Food City and Blue Ridge Beverage.
3030 MISTLETOE MARKET SHOPPERS
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Year in Review
Year in Review
RESIDENT ARTISTS
ADDITIONAL EXHIBIT
William King Museum of Art hosted resident artists throughout the year. These talented artists are engaged in contemporary artistic research and/or production and are actively involved with the museum’s educational mission.
In 2002, the William King Museum of Art developed a collection of O. Winston Link photographs focused on the Norfolk and Western project and the last days of steam operation on the N&W Railway in the late 1950s. This rare photography collection captures the last steam train on the Virginia Creeper rail line.
13 RESIDENT ARTISTS
William King/ Art Lab has been an inspiring interactive supportive engaging environment for me as a studio artist. I'm grateful for classes and print services and collaborative moments of critical thinking, observation and shared technical skill. Staff and residents create a community for deep kindness, respectful support, and professional developments. -Margaret Gregg, Resident Artist (pictured above in her studio)
This exhibit is a partnership between the William King Museum of Art and the Town of Abingdon. It is located at the head of the Creeper Trail at Abingdon’s tourism annex, the Findlay House.
Unaudited
FINANCIAL REPORTS WKMA is committed to sharing not only our yearly success stories with you, but also providing financial transparency. We remain focused on using our resources to promote art and education in our community. We are grateful to everyone who has supported our mission this year!
Income/Expenses by Department
Exhibitions
Development
Income
Youth Ed
Expenses
Art Lab
G&A
Unaudited
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Income by Department Art Lab: $131,118.74 11% Exhibitions: $160,454.06 13% Development: $681,409.03 56% G&A : $1,556.86 0% Youth Ed: $246,393.77 20%
Expenses by Department Art Lab: $157,617.96 12% Exhibitions: $473,508.79 13% Development: $185,745.07 17% G&A : $152,981.49 11% Youth Ed: $367,734.82 28%
EXHIBITS William King Museum of Art is a dynamic gallery and gathering space in the vibrant arts and cultural community of Abingdon, Va. Exhibits range from contemporary art made right here in Appalachia to fine art from all around the world. WKMA is also home to the Betsy K. White Cultural Heritage Research Archive. This collection includes some of the most detailed records in existence of our region’s rich decorative arts legacy! Our two cultural heritage galleries reflect this research and celebrate this tradition. The Worrell Collection of Wildlife Art opens in 2026!
EDUCATION Discover new art, find inspiration, and ignite your imagination with William King Museum of Art’s youth and family programs. Learn the power of art to open up windows to new worlds, new ideas, and infinite possibilities. Join us in our Art Lab for teens through adults. A hub for learning where artists, makers, students, educators, and the public can connect, exchange knowledge, explore ideas, and hone their skills.
CONTACT William King Museum of Art williamkingmuseum.org | 276-628-5005 415 Academy Drive Abingdon, VA