Art Talk with Donald Towns
7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, Piedmont Arts
Donald Towns will discuss his exhibit, Depicting the Moment, and his work at Disney, where he was involved in the making of “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid.”
A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. The talk will begin at 7 p.m. in the galleries.
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with the number and names of the attendees in your party by Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Teen Arts Council Info Session
5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, Piedmont Arts
Local teens in grades 9-12 are invited to learn more about the museum’s Teen Arts Council at an info session from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, at Piedmont Arts.
This group of dedicated teen artists and art lovers meets monthly for classes, events and more.
For more information, contact Melody Margrave at mmargrave@piedmontarts.org.
Holiday Events
Christmas Tree Lighting
4-6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, Art Garden
Piedmont Arts will kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the Art Garden Christmas tree from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden.
Enjoy holiday music, a visit from Santa, themed crafts and a snack of cookies and hot chocolate. This event is free and open to the public.
Much like the sculptures in the Art Garden, the Christmas tree is a work of art. It is created each year by Ian Hogg using more than 3,000 lights. The tree will be lit at sunset and brighten the Art Garden through New Year’s Day.
Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular
3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, MHS Auditorium
Join Piedmont Arts for its annual production of the Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at Martinsville High School Auditorium.
There’s no better way to lift your spirits than with the music of the season delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Maestro David Stewart Wiley conducts the Holiday Pops with all the magical elements guests have come to expect — high energy, familiar carols and lots of holiday warmth.
Guest soloist LaTetra Lewis will join the symphony for a heartwarming celebration of cherished holiday classics. Lewis is a mezzo-soprano hailed for her rich voice and magnetic stage presence. Randy Brooks, the writer of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” will also join the symphony for a special performance of his hit song.
Tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission and $10 for students in grades K-12.
WIC Passport Program participants receive free general admission tickets to the Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular. To redeem this discount, just show your WIC card at the museum’s welcome desk or at the box office on the night of the event.
Food Drive for Grace Network Food Pantry
Piedmont Arts is collecting donations of nonperishable food and hygiene products for the Grace Network food pantry. Donations may be dropped off at Piedmont Arts from Dec. 2-13.
Altrusa International of Martinsville-Henry County will collect donations in the lobby of Martinsville High School Auditorium during the Holiday Pops Spectacular from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 7.
GivingTuesday
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Dec. 2.
GivingTuesday is a movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity. When you support Piedmont Arts on GivingTuesday — or any day — you help bring quality visual arts, performing arts and arts education programs to Martinsville-Henry County.
Four ways to participate:
1. Donate to the Grace Network food pantry.
2. Donate your money to Piedmont Arts.
3. Donate your time to Piedmont Arts.
4. Become an advocate for Piedmont Arts on social media.
Exhibits
Peace Post
On view through Jan. 10, Piedmont Arts
The stories that permeate our newsfeeds have become increasingly dark. Abuse, discrimination, oppression, violence and war are global problems that all countries and people face. To shine a light on some of the individuals who stand against injustice and advocate for peace, this project asked artists to create a series of digital stamps featuring portraits of these heroes, one for each sovereign nation. The result is a collection of 198 portraits of peace advocates created by more than 100 artists.
Legible Earth: The Fire Tapestries
On view through Jan. 10, Piedmont Arts
Leah Raintree’s work engages the interconnection between humanity, time and the Earth. This exhibit marks the 10th anniversary of the Valley Fire in Northern California, when Raintree’s sister and family lost their home to wildfire. Borrowing from the language of ancient tapestries that survive as storytellers, her intricate line drawings are interwoven with washes of wildfire char. These drawings address the global impacts of wildfire on ecological and human communities.
Depicting the Moment
On view through Jan. 10, Piedmont Arts
Donald Towns is a painter, background animation illustrator and art director. He finds inspiration in a variety of subjects, such as nature, architecture and everyday objects. His experience in the motion picture industry has influenced his painting, giving his work the ethereal appearance of animated movie stills.
Inspired Creations
On view through Jan. 10, Piedmont Arts
The Lynwood Artists Gallery features a selection of “inspired creations” by the group’s members.
Lynwood Artists is an organization for practicing artists in the Martinsville-Henry County area. Its members share a desire to stimulate understanding and enjoyment of fine art, while providing artists with opportunities to exhibit and develop their talents.
Upcoming Events
Preschool in the Galleries
Preschool in the Galleries is a program for pre-K students designed to foster a love of the performing and visual arts at a young age. Performances take place at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and are free to students and schools.
• Wednesday, Nov. 19
• Tuesday, Dec. 9
Reservations are required to attend a performance. To make a reservation for your preschool class, email Programs Coordinator Jennifer Gravely at jgravely@piedmontarts.org.
Foster Gallery Reception
4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, Piedmont Arts
Join Piedmont Arts and the Charity League of Martinsville & Henry County for a special event celebrating students with work on display in the Foster Gallery.
This exhibit features work by students attending the following schools:
• Bassett High School
• Carlisle Upper School
• Magna Vista High School
• Martinsville High 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
• Shatera Robertson + Louis Norton
• Margie Price-Savedge + Christopher Janey
• Melissa White + Al Herndon
Community Partners
Smith River Singers Holiday Concert
7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15, Galilean House
Join Smith River Singers for their annual holiday concert at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15, at the Galilean House of Worship. Admission is free.
Visit Smith River Singers on Facebook for updates on this event.
Classes
Bob Ross Workshop
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Yoga in the Galleries
10-11 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10
Yoga in the Galleries (Chair)
10-11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Chix with Stix
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Second and fourth Tuesdays
