Time Honored: Fine Arts In Rockbridge

Fine Arts in Rockbridge was started in July of 1971 as a summer workshop attended by sixty-eight students and a faculty of thirty.  The Rockbridge Fine Arts Workshop, which has since been renamed Summer FAIR, last summer attracted 240 children.

In keeping with its original intent to provide opportunity for all to experience and participate in the arts, FAIR has founded many of our community arts organizations.  FAIR today includes eleven programs of which you may want to be a part.

Summer FAIR
Students from rising first graders to adults attend courses of the highest quality in the fine arts during July.  Student, faculty and guest performances complement the program.  A theater workshop culminates in performances of a musical.

FAIR in the Schools
Fine Arts in Rockbridge partners with Rockbridge County Schools to send six art instructors to the five county elementary schools.  They offer visual arts and dance to students from kindergarten through fifth grade on a weekly basis.

Rockbridge Choral Society
Area vocalists gather on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in duPont Hall, room 102, Washington and Lee University, to rehearse a rich variety of choral works in preparation for three concerts each season.  Performances may include guest soloists and orchestra.  William McCorkle, artistic director

Rockbridge Youth Chorale
Children and youth gather on Tuesday evenings in three ensembles at 6:15, 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. at duPont Hall, Room 102, Washington and Lee University.  They learn musicality, vocal technique, performance technique and age appropriate repertoire for two formal concerts each season.  The group also performs in schools and for community groups.  Laura de Maria, artistic director

Rockbridge Community Symphony Orchestra
Members from the community comprise three generations of Rockbridge players making music together.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Band Room of Maury River Middle School in preparation for three concerts each season.  Mark Taylor, artistic director

Rockbridge Youth Strings & Junior Ensemble
Students in elementary schools learn to play the violin, viola, and cello in small groups after the school day at a cost much less than private instruction.  Advanced and middle school students meet after school at Maury River Middle School.  Julia Goudimova, artistic director

Goshen Outreach
Goshen area children participate in a summer arts workshop in the remote Goshen Pass area.  The program meets at Goshen Library.

Shenandoah Songs
Music @ Jordan House returns under a new name, Shenandoah Songs, and in a new place, Three Hills Studios, 112 N. Randolph Street.  Artists present four concerts of high-quality folk, jazz, acoustic, traditional and roots music.  Concerts are at 8:00 p.m. with Friday dates in November, January, February and March.  Toni Williams, artistic director 

Writers @ Jordan House
Workshops, literary seminars and readings will continue to use alternative spaces.  The programs are dedicated to providing the community with a venue to support and recognize the written word.  Cynthia Atkins, artistic director

Rockbridge Camera Club
Beginner to advanced photographers meet on the third Tuesday evening of the month.  The purpose of the group is to educate, inform and inspire people with a common interest in photography.  Cathy McElhannon, President

The Dance Project
FAIR broadens contact with the public schools in the area of dance particularly through exposure to children in schools not served by FAIR in the Schools.

Colleen Pendry, executive director, staffs the FAIR office.  Office location is 101 South Main Street, Lexington.  Mailing address is P.O. Box 988, Lexington, Virginia, 24450

Telephone (540) 464-3247 | FAX (540) 464-5013 | EMAIL cpendry@fairva.org
Web site address: www.fairva.org