J. S. Bach's "Coffee Cantata"
Join the James River Arts Council on Wednesday, April 22, for an evening of music featuring J. S. Bach's "Coffee Cantata" in an updated English translation by music scholar Hugh MacDonald. Save the date: Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Scottsville Presbyterian Church, Valley and Bird Streets. Click here for more information.
JRAC Photography Group Two Person Exhibit
The James River Arts Council Photography Group invites you to a Two Person Exhibit, opening on March 7, 2009 and running to May 2, 2009. One of our newest , youngest, and definitely exciting members, Nathaniel Kidd, will be showing a set of grand, and detailed landscapes of “Kidd’s Dairy Farm”; including star trails, night exposures, creek and landscape photos, both in black and white and color digital images .
Also showing will be veteran photographer, Chris Hogger. His images are of "People and Places in Prague"; including digital color architectural shots, city-scapes, and some surreptitious candid shots of the local folk.
The show will be hosted by Nature’s Bridge Health Store, 492 Valley Street (US 20), Scottsville, Virginia during normal business hours (10 am. to 6 pm.), Wednesday through Saturday. The official opening of the show will take place from 2 to 5 pm. On Saturday, March 14th, 2009.
Local Author Publishes First Book
In 2004, the James River Arts Council published Riverbanks to Mountaintop, a compilation of local authors. Two stories written by Jim Herndon were included in the book. Jim has now published his first book chronicling his youth in Madison County. The 348-page book provides a unique perspective of rural Virginia in the '50s and '60s. Jack's Shop: Beyond the Front Porch borrows its title from the historic name of the tiny hamlet of Rochelle, his boyhood home. Until the Civil War, the tiny village was named Jack's Shop for a blacksmith who labored there.
The book contains the stories enjoyed by many in the 2004 publication, such as "Ernie, the three legged Dog" and "The Skunk who came to Sunday Lunch." Jim hopes to write several more books about Jack's Shop, his debilitating disease at age 12, and his years of rehabilitation. He is participating in the Virginia Festival of the Book in March 2009. The book can be found at www.jacksshop.com. It is also available at Barnes and Noble and www.amazon.com. You can contact Jim by writing JacksShop@gmail.com.
New Gallery Space Available
Nature's Bridge owner, Sandy Milazzo, has graciously allowed the JRAC Photo Group to hang photos in the store. Currently photographs by Pete Hellmann, Peter Delis and Chris Hogger are on display. We hope to have a schedule soon that highlights an individual photographer on a monthly basis. Please drop by Nature's Bridge on Valley Street to check out the photography and perhaps buy a few of the wonderful items on sale at Nature's Bridge.
JRAC Photography Group Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 14th at 7 pm at our new location: The Scottsville Library at 330 Bird St. Since moving our meetings to the library everyone has had nothing but possitive feedback so we will continue to have our meetings there. Please bring 3 or 4 relatively recent photos for discussion. Photos should be 8 1/2" x 11" to about 11" x 14", unframed, possibly matted for protection. If you have never been to one of our meetings any type of photography is welcome. See you there.
Whipple Singleton Photo Exhibit
Two Photographers, Don Whipple and Richard Singleton, from the James River Council for the Arts Photography Group, to Exhibit at Nature's Bridge in downtown Scottsville. Whipple's work exhibits strong graphics, often with a touch of humor, strong composition and vibrant color, he is a photographic risk taker, challenging us with unusual scenes and places. Singleton, for the first time venturing into color, focuses on panoramic scenes, colorful flower close-ups, and with experimental reflections and refractions. This colorful and exciting exhibit will be up during January and February. Opening is Friday, January 16 from 4-6 pm. You may also visit during normal business hours.
An Evening of Vocal and Guitar Music
The James River Arts Council presents "An Evening of Vocal and Guitar Music" on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 pm at the Scottsville Presbyterian Church. James Madison University Professor of Music Carrie Stevens and Fluvanna County resident Keith Stevens, her associate at the university, will present classical guitar and vocal arrangements as a duo. The program promises something to delight everyone's musical tastes. Click here for more information.
Poetry Workshop Scheduled To Meet Again In The Fall
The poetry workshop ended its fourth six-week session at the end of May. Many of the participants have been involved since the first session in early 2007 but there are new and beginning writers each session as well. Click here for more information.
Nicolas Pellon to Present Piano Recital
The James River Arts Council is pleased to present Nicolas Pellon in a recital at the Scottsville Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
Play Those 'Bones: Mr. Jefferson's Bones at the Presbyterian Church
The trombone quartet Mr. Jefferson's Bones will perform at the Scottsville Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. sponsored by JRAC Click here for more information.
Rhythm On The River - A Ten Year Tradition In Scottsville
Rhythm on the River inaugurated its celebratory tenth season June 1 in Dorrier Park, near the James River bridge, with the rousing music of Sons of Bill and Hackensaw Boys Click here for more information.
The James River Batteau Festival
Celebrate Scottsville history! The Scottsville Batteau Festival will be held on Wednesday, June 18th from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. At one time the batteau was a frequent site on the James and Scottsville was a major stop where goods were traded and sold. Scottsville is a favorite stop for the batteau crews and this year should be no different. There will be crafts, food, games, entertainment and art for sale from JRAC member artists! Visit Scottsville Canal Basin Square where the history of the Batteau is documented along with replica Batteaus for you to inspect. More information can be found at the Batteau Festival website.
May Evening With Young Authors Successful
Tuesday, May 6th was an evening young writers from the Scottsville and Yancey elementary schools will remember for some time. Click here for more information.
Viewpoints 2008 Awards
The turnout for the Viewpoints 2008 reception was tremendous with over 300 people attending. This was probably the best photography show ever. Details and award winners are now available.
Past and Present JRAC Photography Shows
Some images from this year's exhibition and past years Photo Shows are available here
Stolen Moments III
Some images from last years Photo Show are available here as well as a list of the award winners.
Annual Fine Arts Show 2007
Some images from the last Fine Arts Show.
JRAC History
A wonderful article about the history of the JRAC, formerly known as the SCA, can be found here. It appeared in the April 2006 edition of the Scottsville Monthly