Special Events

Upcoming Events

From fundraisers to Creative Conversations to networking nights, PCA offers special events for all arts-interested people in the Charlottesville area.

Visit the PCA Blog – Special Events to learn about upcoming and recent events.

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Creative Conversation Series

Since Fall 2008, PCA’s Creative Conversation Series has provided a community forum for discussion on topics of importance to the arts community. With participation from more than 150 people, the six Creative Conversations to date have addressed issues including arts education practices, marketing Charlottesville as a creative community and a cultural destination, and improving access to the arts for all community members. The insights, ideas, questions and concerns brought forth as a result have been a guiding force for PCA.

October 26, 2009 – From Collaboration to Content: Enhancing Community Arts Education Partnerships

January 13, 2010 – Arts & Economic Development: National Initiatives and Ideas for Charlottesville

April 20, 2010 – PCA’s Arts Access Project: Outcomes and Strategies for the Future

Community members are invited to participate in particular Creative Conversations based on their involvement in relevant topic areas. If you would like to be involved in the upcoming Series, contact info@charlottesvillearts.org.

Arts Access Project: Outcomes and Strategies for the Future, April 20, 2010
Podcast produced by Charlottesville Podcasting Network

Arts & Economic Development: National Initiatives and Ideas for Charlottesville, January 13, 2010
Podcast produced by Charlottesville Podcasting Network

From Collaboration to Content: Enhancing Community Arts Education Partnerships, October 26, 2009
Podcast produced by Charlottesville Podcasting Network

Hear 2008-09 Podcasts

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Art Drinks!

On the second Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:30, PCA hosts an informal gathering of artists, arts organizations, and arts enthusiasts. Starting this year, the Art Drinks location will rotate every few months. Starting in April, Art Drinks is at a brand-new location: Maya Restaurant!

Stop by Art Drinks at Maya on West Main to enjoy lively conversation and networking, as well as drink specials and the chance to win art objects and more in the nightly drawing!

Check out photos from recent Art Drinks gatherings on the PCA Photo Album Flickr page.

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Partner Programs

Working in partnership with other groups, PCA offers additional programs and projects for the Charlottesville-area community:

VSA arts of Charlottesville and Albemarle

Promoting the creative power of people with disabilities is a major goal of Piedmont Council of the Arts, through its partnership with VSA arts of Charlottesville and Albemarle. The ninth annual VSA arts Winter Exhibition opened in January 2009 in the lobby of the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School. This is an annual event and the art works of over 100 talented artists with disabilities are exhibited there through February every year.

Festival of Cultures

The Festival of Cultures is an annual celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity, held in May at Lee Park in Charlottesville. The Festival presents music, dance, storytelling, crafts, food and exhibits by diverse ethnic and cultural groups. PCA helped develop the program in partnership with the Charlottesville City Schools Adult Learning Center English as a Second Language Program. This year’s Festival of Cultures was held on May 9, 2009.

Virginia Festival of the Book

Each year, PCA volunteers organize several events for the Virginia Festival of the Book geared towards youth and families, artists, and citizens with disabilities. Past events have explored topics such as memoirs, storytelling through quilts, and children’s book illustrations. Events are organized in partnership with local entities such as WorkSource Enterprises, ARC of the Piedmont, Post High, Charlottesville Parks and Recreation, Region Ten, and Service Dogs of Virginia.

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Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Awards Celebration

Each year, Piedmont Council of the Arts recognizes The Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Youth Incentive Awards. Winners of this award are high school juniors and seniors selected by their teachers for their outstanding talent and promise in the Arts. Download the 2009 invitation here.

2009 Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Awards

Joey Ballard, Music, Monticello High School
Kelsey Boggs, Performing Arts & Music, Western Albemarle High School
Julia Case, Music, St. Anne’s-Belfield School
Emily Cathcart, Visual Arts, Tandem Friends School
Grace Chiarella, Music, Western Albemarle High School
Malina Dowling, Visual Arts, Albemarle High School
Rebecca Edwards, Performing Arts, Charlottesville High School
Melissa Herrera, Visual Arts & Literary, Murray High School
Clara James, Visual Arts, Monticello High School
Ruth Jampol, Visual Ars, The Covenant School
JT Kelleher, Visual Arts & Music, Miller School
Julia Loman, Visual Arts, Western Albemarle High School
Keenan Mitchell, Music, Renaissance School
Logan Newman, Music, The Covenant School
Leah Paschal, Visual Arts, Charlottesville High School
Anthony Poehailos, Music, Monticello High School
Alyssa Smith, Visual Arts, Albemarle High School
Evan Thompson, Music & Performing Arts, Charlottesville High School
Hannah Velie, Visual Arts, St. Anne’s-Belfield School

To view the list of past Rising Star Award Recipients, visit the Education and Youth page.

The Rising Star Awards is an extension of our former Annual Arts Awards Celebration.

Browse All Arts Awards Winners