On Saturday Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. presented the annual Art at the Market event. This popular annual Art show and sidewalk exposition of unique works featured abstract acrylics, collage, flowers, wood, still life, photography, and metal work.
The show began at 9 am and accompanied the annual Breakfast at the Farmers Market with live music provided by Ragtop.
Robin Scully Boucher served as the Judge for the show this year. Boucher earned her B.A. from Christopher Newport University in Fine and Performing Arts, and her M.F.A. in Visual Art from Radford University. A philosophy rich in community outreach and social activism have shaped Robin’s experiences as a visual artist, curator, and arts educator. These experiences include teaching art to all age levels with formal teaching positions in public schools and university settings being a large part of Robin’s experience base. Robin has won awards for her artwork, presented papers and workshops on her teaching methods, and had her nature essays broadcast on National Public Radio. She is currently the Art Program Director at Virginia Tech’s Student Engagement and Campus Life where she curates exhibits for Perspective Gallery in Squires Student Center and oversees the Art Reach program, which provides Art Pop Up events on campus and around the community.
Mish Mish provided a fabulous fun arts activity using a brand new product called Easy Marble.
Children were invited to bring along their own small object to marble or create a “Pet Rock” with the materials provided! Sidewalk chalk was also provided allowing participants to release their inner artist and decorate the street.
Art at the Market was presented by Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. with sponsoring support from The Community Arts Information Office, the Moss Arts Center, Dr.’s Jacobs & Diaz, Main Street Inn, Matrix Gallery, Fringe Benefit, Mish Mish, the National Bank of Blacksburg & the Town of Blacksburg.
Art at the Market has achieved Virginia Green status, with our recycling, efforts to reduce packaging, encouraging mass-transit and more.
Prizes were awarded in two categories as follows- 2 Dimensional and 3 Dimensional works.
2D category
1st- Sally Mook
2nd- Douglas Cave
3rd- Kerri Farley
Honorable mention – Robi Carroll Sallee
3D category
1st- Charity Hall
2nd- Anne Armistead
3rd- Nikki Pynn
Honorable mention – Chris & Kathy Myers
Winners received ribbons and checks for the following amount- 1st Place- $100, 2nd Place- $75, 3rd Place- $50 and Honorable Mention- Ribbon only.
