Home - Bower Center for the Arts

Our Mission

To make visual and performing arts available to the region; to become a creative force and an educational resource for the community; and to harness the economic vitality of the arts.

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Our programs foster creative expression, reflect and expand community interest, and encourage citizens to gather, connect, learn new skills, and gain confidence through the process of making and enjoying art. We offer classes for all ages, exhibits for you to enter & view, live performances for your enjoyment and special community events. Shop for that piece of art to brighten your space, visit our studio artists, and host your next personal or professional event in one of our beautiful spaces. It's all here for you!

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This supportive creative community welcomes and awaits you: what will you create? Check out our upcoming classes, exhibits, performances, events and more!

New Standard Bluegrass on November 18th

ALWAYS A SELL OUT CROWD! Doors open at 5:30pm

New Standard brings together a variety of styles and influences ranging from traditional artists to contemporary bluegrass and gospel artists. The band was founded in October, 2011 by Zach Brown, Spencer Blankenship, and Mason Thomas - all students at Virginia Tech at the time. One month later, Stewart Scales was asked to be a part of the band as the bass player and the band began performing at local restaurants in the Blacksburg area.

In the following years, the group played more festivals such as Sedalia, and has performed at the Harvester in Rocky Mount on two occasions, once as a solo act and another opening for the Lost & Found. Zach Gilmer & Jason Wheeler have played banjo with the group in the past. Robert Overstreet was added on banjo in 2018, and the band continues to expand its performance horizons up and down the Blue Ridge today. In late 2019, the group wrote several new songs to be featured on a 2021 release entitled 'One More Tear' which was recorded and mastered at Hambone Productions in Lynchburg, VA.

Watch New Standard Bluegrass performing at the Bower Center in 2019

https://youtu.be/jnwjrPDW4HA

Mistletoe Makers Market on November 25th!

Celebrate Small Business Saturday and shop local handmade goods at Bower Center for the Arts! With over twenty-five exhibitors from around the region, you are sure to find the perfect holiday gifts! Free gift wrapping will be available.

This event will also include concessions, chances to win door prizes, free face painting, caricatures with Kyle Edgell, selfies with Santa & Mrs. Clause and art activity stations for families!

Admission is $2/adult at the door or a donation of art supplies for the Bower Center's Little Free Art Gallery! Children 12 and under are free.

Artisan vendor spots are now full, however a few hallway tables are still available! Items must be handcrafted or repurposed. Register by clicking the button on this page. Please contact us if you'd like to be placed on a cancellation list for a vendor spot or discuss possible outside setup options. Email Susan Martin at s.martin@bowercenter.org.

Sponsorship and Volunteer Opportunities Available for the the event! Review the Sponsorship Levels HERE or contact Susan Martin at s.martin@bowercenter.org for more information regarding sponsorship opportunities.

Volunteers Needed! Please visit the volunteer sign up HERE!

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Learn more about what's going on at Bower Center or find a fun art activity for the family. Be sure to check out our Happenings at the Bower and opportunities for you and the family to get creative here or at home!