https://www.danvillemuseum.org Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History News Wednesday, 17 May 2023 12:28:47 +0000 HD CMS en daily 1 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/98 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/98 Thursday, 20 October 2022 12:00:00 +0000

This is an important collaborative project between the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the City of Danville’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism and the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. A huge thank you is in order to all involved including Randy West, The Creative Director/Owner of MP Monarch and his crew who helped in the creation of this marketing video that will serve to help promote tourism in Danville and the regions of Southside Virginia.

Share What You Love The "Share What You Love" Video was a collaborative project between the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, the City of Danville, Office of Economic Development & Tourism, and sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation.    It covers the following regions of Southside Virginia: Danville, an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Pittsylvania County, Virginia as well as Caswell County, North Carolina.   Share What You Love Video     Danville: Share What You Love Video   https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/97 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/97 Wednesday, 11 May 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Virginia Tourism Corporation awards local tourism marketing grants The City of Danville’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism and the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History have received grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation for tourism marketing.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Virginia Tourism Corporation awards local tourism marketing grants The City of Danville’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism and the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History have received grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation for tourism marketing. The grants are part of the more than $2.7 million recently announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin for local and regional programs. The Office of Economic Development & Tourism will use a $20,000 grant to create a comprehensive visitor guide promoting tourism assets in Danville and Pittsylvania County. Lisa Meriwether, tourism manager for the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County, said nearly 90 percent of all visitors ultimately decide on a destination because of information provided in a visitor guide. “They (visitor guides) are also effective at lengthening stays,” Meriwether said. “We are grateful to the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) for its support of this project.” She said many tourism partners in the area have overwhelmingly supported the project. Those partners include the River District Association, Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex, Caesars Virginia, and the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. The guide will include information about local and regional attractions, lodging, and food and beverage, as well as highlight the beauty of the city and county. Guides will be placed in state welcome centers and local and regional visitor centers. They will also be made available to local and regional businesses to share with visitors and customers. The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History (DMFAH) received a $10,000 grant for its video project: “Share What You Love – Weaving Together Danville’s History.” The museum will team up with local historical sites, and tour and humanities groups to produce an overview of the city’s architecture and the stories they tell. Elsabe Dixon, DMFAH executive director, said the video project will feature a range of sites, including Green Book civil rights sites, historical churches, tobacco and textile warehouses, Italianate villas and Millionaires’ Row Victorian houses, and the textile mill tenement of the Schoolfield village. “We want to highlight the historical narratives and timelines of our beautiful city and share this information with our community and the many visitors to our destination,” Dixon said. “We are so pleased to have the support of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.” Filming for this project will begin right away. Rita McClenny, VTC president and CEO, said the grants provide an important opportunity for communities to accelerate recovery efforts and continue with their best-in-class marketing initiatives to attract new travelers. “Increased visitation translates directly into revenue generation, underscoring tourism’s important role in stimulating economic growth and expansion,” McClenny said. The VTC Regional Marketing Program aims to help Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) drive overnight visitation and to supplement funding for economically significant special events and festivals in order to increase overnight visitation. The DMO funding is projected to drive more than 125,000 room nights over the next 18 months. More information on the VTC’s Regional Marketing Program can be found at vatc.org.   About Virginia Tourism Corporation Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.   About the City of Danville’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism The office of Economic Development & Tourism is responsible for leading the City of Danville’s tourism efforts by aggressively branding and promoting the city and Pittsylvania County to differentiate it from other regional competitors through advertising, promotions, trade events, and visitor experience initiatives to stimulate economic growth for the region. About the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is Danville’s cultural center for the arts and history. It also serves the outlying communities of Pittsylvania and Caswell County. The museum aims to share the stories of all its collections — art, Civil War and civil rights — and facilitate ways for the local community to share their own stories.   Contact: Elsabé Dixon, Executive DirectorDanville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main Street Danville VA | 24541 O - 434.793.5644 elsabe@danvillemuseum.org Contact: Lisa K. Meriwether, Tourism Manager, City of Danville 427 Patton Street, Suite 203 Danville VA | 24543 O – 434.793.1753 M- 434.770.3882 lisa.meriwether@discoverdanville.com Click here to view News Release   https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/93 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/93 Saturday, 28 March 2020 12:00:00 +0000

I am so thankful that a local news station reported on the exhibit honoring Camilla Williams at the Danville History and Fine Arts Museum in Danville recently.  View Full Article Courtesy of The Charlotte Gazette

I am so thankful that a local news station reported on the exhibit honoring Camilla Williams at the Danville History and Fine Arts Museum in Danville recently.  View Full Article Courtesy of The Charlotte Gazette https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/95 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/95 Wednesday, 29 January 2020 12:00:00 +0000

Camilla Ella Williams (October 18, 1919 – January 29, 2012) was an American operatic soprano who performed nationally and internationally. After studying with renowned teachers in New York City, she was the first African American to receive a regular contract with a major American opera company, the New York City Opera. She had earlier won honors in vocal competitions and the Marian Anderson Fellowship in 1943-44. View Full Article Courtesy of Black Kudos

Camilla Ella Williams (October 18, 1919 – January 29, 2012) was an American operatic soprano who performed nationally and internationally. After studying with renowned teachers in New York City, she was the first African American to receive a regular contract with a major American opera company, the New York City Opera. She had earlier won honors in vocal competitions and the Marian Anderson Fellowship in 1943-44. View Full Article Courtesy of Black Kudos https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/89 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/89 Sunday, 12 January 2020 12:00:00 +0000

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is honoring a famous Danville icon. The Camilla Williams exhibit opened on Sunday to remember the life of the famous singer. Williams, a Danville native, was the first African-American woman to appear and receive a contract from the New York City Opera with "Madame Butterfly." View Full Article Courtesy of ABC 13 News

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is honoring a famous Danville icon. The Camilla Williams exhibit opened on Sunday to remember the life of the famous singer. Williams, a Danville native, was the first African-American woman to appear and receive a contract from the New York City Opera with "Madame Butterfly." View Full Article Courtesy of ABC 13 News https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/90 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/90 Sunday, 12 January 2020 12:00:00 +0000

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History held a reception for the Camilla Williams exhibit Sunday highlighting the Danville native’s life and her distinguished career as an opera performer. Williams, who was born in Danville in 1919 and died in Bloomington, Indiana, in January 2012, was the first African American woman to appear in a major American opera house, performing the role of Cio-Cio San in “Madame Butterfly.”  View Full Article Courtesy Newsbreak

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History held a reception for the Camilla Williams exhibit Sunday highlighting the Danville native’s life and her distinguished career as an opera performer. Williams, who was born in Danville in 1919 and died in Bloomington, Indiana, in January 2012, was the first African American woman to appear in a major American opera house, performing the role of Cio-Cio San in “Madame Butterfly.”  View Full Article Courtesy Newsbreak https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/88 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/88 Wednesday, 08 January 2020 12:00:00 +0000

On Sunday, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will unveil its newest exhibit, a tribute to Camilla Williams. The Camilla Williams exhibition “highlights the relationship of the famed New York opera diva and her hometown, Danville, while exploring the difficult path to fame in a racially divided South during the civil rights movement.” View Full Article Courtesy of GoDanRiver

On Sunday, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will unveil its newest exhibit, a tribute to Camilla Williams. The Camilla Williams exhibition “highlights the relationship of the famed New York opera diva and her hometown, Danville, while exploring the difficult path to fame in a racially divided South during the civil rights movement.” View Full Article Courtesy of GoDanRiver https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/91 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/91 Wednesday, 08 January 2020 12:00:00 +0000

On Sunday, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will unveil its newest exhibit, a tribute to Camilla Williams. The Camilla Williams exhibition “highlights the relationship of the famed New York opera diva and her hometown, Danville, while exploring the difficult path to fame in a racially divided South during the civil rights movement.” View Full Article Courtesy of Newsbreak

On Sunday, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will unveil its newest exhibit, a tribute to Camilla Williams. The Camilla Williams exhibition “highlights the relationship of the famed New York opera diva and her hometown, Danville, while exploring the difficult path to fame in a racially divided South during the civil rights movement.” View Full Article Courtesy of Newsbreak https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/83 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/83 Wednesday, 09 October 2019 02:30:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE DANVILLE ART LEAGUE ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION: Artist's Choice Co-sponsored by the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History Exhibition Dates: Sunday, October 27 – December 20, 2019 DMFAH Location: Schoolfield and Jennings Galleries   Calendar Dates   Exhibition Dates: Sunday, October 27 – December 20, 2019 Call for entry date:  Sunday, September 22, 2019 Drop Off Dates: October 18 and October 19, 2019 from 10am -5pm Jury Dates: (October 20, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm) Install dates: October 21 -26, 2019 Opening Reception Dates: Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 2:30pm – 4:30pm De-install Dates: Saturday, December 21 (from 10 am – 5pm; A late fee of $10 will be charged for all work not picked up on this date)     The Danville Art League (DAL) hosts their Annual Fall juried exhibition, Artist's Choice, at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History beginning October 27, 2019 – December 20, 2019.   This fall’s event is one of DAL’s two major exhibitions each year; and is open to all artists. Historically, professional artists and faculty from throughout the region participate, including Lynchburg, Central and Southside Virginia and North Carolina. The year’s exhibition is similarly expected to draw participants from throughout those same locales and beyond. The Show prospectus is sent to all arts organizations in the region.  Whether a beginner or professional, DAL encourages everyone to enter.   The DAL is pleased to announce the continuation of the categories of photography/digital photography and 3-D (sculpture, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, metal work, et al), accompanying the painting category. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded pending the number of artists in those categories.   The public is invited to join DAL members and participating artists at the opening reception for the DAL’s Annual Exhibition, at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History located at 975 Main Street in Danville, Virginia on Sunday, October 27, 2019, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the show which includes paintings in oils, acrylics and watercolor, as well as photography/digital photography, graphite and charcoal drawings, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and more. The exhibit will be an exciting mix of traditional and innovative techniques and expression.  Award winners will be announced at the reception. Those interested receiving a show prospectus or sponsoring the exhibition should contact Exhibition Chairman Jim Jennings at 434-489-1179 or email jjennings64@gmail.com. Those interested receiving a show prospectus or sponsoring the exhibition should contact Exhibition Chair, Felice McWilliams at 951-415-0312, email fefee.fm30@gmail.com, or pick one up at the Museum.  The dates to drop off entries are October 18 and 19.  The exhibit runs from October 27 through December 20.   About the Danville Museum of Fine Art: About the Danville Art League: The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History has supported DAL since 1980 when the organization was founded to support the arts and the local Danville artists in the community and Pittsylvania County,  as well as Caswell County region.  DAL has provided opportunities for local artists to exhibit their works, offered education opportunities, and promoted visual art events.  DAL now has over 70 members and is always welcoming new artists. DAL invites artists of all ages and genres to join, along with those who support the arts or those who just want to learn more about the arts. How to join the Danville Art League: for more information, find us on Facebook or inquire at DAL, P.O. Box 10202, Danville, VA 24541.  You can also call the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History at, 434- 793-5644 or stop by at 975 Main Street in Danville to pick up a brochure. Sponsorship: The Danville Art League, Inc. wishes to recognize the sponsorship of the Virginia Commission for the Arts as well as the assistance and cooperation of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History for providing facilities for the reception and this exhibition.   Pictured is the 2017 Best in Show winner.(Selected on October 20, 2019 for Press Release) DAL Awards (To be announced on October 27) First Place: Second Place: Third Place:  Anniversary Award:  Winning Awards of Distinction: The People’s Choice Award: Participating artists:   Bio Juror: DAL is honored to announce this year’s judge is Brooke Marcy.  Marcy is currently an Adjunct Professor of Art at University of Lynchburg and the Curator at Riverviews Artspace in Lynchburg, VA. She has also taught at Randolph College and George Mason University. She currently curates the Art to the People project and was guest curator at the Legacy Museum of African American History in 2017. Besides selecting the pieces for the actual exhibition from all works submitted, the juror also selects the awards, including the First Place; Second Place, and the Third Place awards. The Juror also selects the Awards of Distinction and Honorable Mention Awards. Regarding her philosophy about art, Marcy said, “Art does not exist in a vacuum; art can inspire, lend a voice, unite, and motivate.   One of the greatest gifts an artist gives is allowing others to see the world through their eyes.”

https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/82 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/82 Saturday, 24 August 2019 10:00:00 +0000

The String Theory Project is presented by the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History (DMFAH) in collaboration with the Blue Ridge Institute Museum at Ferrum College, local musicians and luthiers.   Location: The Schoolfield Gallery, DMFAH, 975 Main Street, Danville, VA 24541 (434) 793-5644 Dates:  August 24-October 20 The public is invited to the opening reception Saturday, August 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.  Welcome and remarks at 6:00 p.m. Music provided by Dos Guitars ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:  THE STRING THEORY PROJECT An exhibition of rare and unusual stringed instruments, exploring the work of both builders and musicians, 19th century to the present    This exhibition offers a curatorial platform from the perspective of Dr. Larry Wilburn, former Interim Director of the Museum.  Of particular interest is the Blue Ridge collection from Ferrum College which features “home-made” instruments from counties in Southern and Southwestern Virginia.  There are also examples of recently built instruments, showing new techniques, exotic woods and unusual designs from regional builders. Also featured are performances by local musicians who will interact with Museum visitors, explaining styles of music and their instruments.  Among those scheduled to appear are Jeff Liverman, luthier and guitarist/singer (September 14), Larry Wilburn, playing classical guitar (September 28) and Kinney Rorrer and friends (October 12).  All performances will be from 2-4 p.m. in the Schoolfield gallery, on the Museum’s lower level.  As a special tribute, Tony Rice, renowned guitarist inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, will be inducted into the DMFAH’s Hall of Fame, 2 p.m. October 12. One marvelous aspect with local ties is the Kinney Rorrer collection of artifacts from the string bands popular at the textile mills in the Danville region.  Many of the mill workers relocated their families from the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, bringing their music and instruments with them.  The collection pays tribute to these musicians who were the forerunners of bluegrass. Curator: Dr. Larry Wilburn Curator Bio: A native of Richmond, Larry Wilburn has lived in Danville with his wife, Joyce, for more than 50 years.  A lifelong educator, he has taught in the Danville Public Schools, as a teaching assistant at UNC-Chapel Hill and at Averett University from 1986 to 2012, when he retired.  In addition to teaching French and Spanish, his administrative assignments at Averett included Registrar, Director of Study Abroad and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences.  He earned a B.A degree in French from the University of Richmond, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees (French Language and Literature) from UNC-Chapel Hill and, a B.A. degree in Music: Classical Guitar Performance from Averett in 2003.  He has served three-year terms on the Museum Board and the Danville Concert Association Board.  His hobbies include painting classes, playing guitar and bass, reading and travel abroad.  Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Ariel Hundley, curator of the Blue Ridge Institute Museum; Kinney Rorrer for his collection of photos and records of mill worker musicians; Jeff Liverman, director of the Floyd Art Center, in Floyd Virginia; Larry Wilburn; Museum staff including Wenn Harold, C.B. Maddox, Annie Chappelle.  We gratefully thank those individuals who loaned their instruments for this exhibit: Gayle Barts, Phil Baughman, Mira Becher, Bonnie Brumfield, Dave Corp, Cesar Guanzon, Hutch Hutcheson, Jeff Liverman, Mark Percario, Kinney Rorrer, Jay Shelton, Tom Townsend, and Joyce Wilburn. We also thank the Danville Museum exhibition fund donors and the Helen S.  and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust. The Danville Museum of Fines Arts and History is Danville, Virginia’s center for self-expression and stories of the self through the study and creation of fine arts and history.  The Museum’s mission is to promote art and history in the Dan River Region through rotating gallery exhibitions, permanent Civil War and Civil Rights exhibits, local history installations, an events auditorium and a children’s “See & Do” room.  Programs include an annual story-telling festival, concerts, guided tours, an Historical Halloween cemetery tour and other educational and cultural events.  Located on Millionaires Row in Danville, Virginia, the Museum is housed in the historic home of Major William T. Sutherlin. https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/81 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/81 Saturday, 10 August 2019 02:00:00 +0000

The Movement: Danville Civil Rights Exhibition was featured by WBTM Radio. Please enjoy the online interview.   

  https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/87 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/87 Friday, 09 August 2019 12:00:00 +0000

"The Movement: Danville's Civil Rights Exhibit" highlights Danville's Civil Rights Movement. The museum will hold an opening reception starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday to honor Emma Edmunds, the historian who donated the exhibit to the museum. View Full Article Courtesy of ABC 13 NEWS

"The Movement: Danville's Civil Rights Exhibit" highlights Danville's Civil Rights Movement. The museum will hold an opening reception starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday to honor Emma Edmunds, the historian who donated the exhibit to the museum. View Full Article Courtesy of ABC 13 NEWS https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/86 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/86 Monday, 29 July 2019 12:00:00 +0000

There’s now a replica of part of a 1960s lunch counter at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. There’s also a replica of a voting booth from that era, as well as photos and information about participants in Danville’s civil rights movement. View Full Article Courtesy of GoDanRiver

There’s now a replica of part of a 1960s lunch counter at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. There’s also a replica of a voting booth from that era, as well as photos and information about participants in Danville’s civil rights movement. View Full Article Courtesy of GoDanRiver https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/80 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/80 Tuesday, 04 June 2019 12:00:00 +0000

We are excited to announce our NEW EXHIBIT very soon!!!

The Movement: Danville's Civil Rights is now on display at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History.      https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/79 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/79 Thursday, 08 November 2018 12:00:00 +0000

ART SMART is a program that helps students understand the basic forms, shape, and color to art and how to produce their own art. They learn by experimenting with colors, shapes, and ideas to form their own unique perspective on their piece of art. Teachers follow the SOL's for Virginia schools and Common Core for North Carolina schools. The students learn from actually experimenting with the forms and colors.  Please call (434) 793-5644 or email wenn@danvillemuseum.org to reserve a spot for your students and school. Grant funding is available. Also ask about our funding for transportation. We look forward to hearing from you! https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/96 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/96 Sunday, 18 January 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will offer free admission Friday, June 19, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth and in recognition of the tragic event at the Charleston AME Church. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. View Full Article Courtesy of the Star Tribune

Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History will offer free admission Friday, June 19, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth and in recognition of the tragic event at the Charleston AME Church. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. View Full Article Courtesy of the Star Tribune https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/92 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/92 Saturday, 25 February 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The late Camilla Ella Williams, renowned as the first black woman to sing with a major U.S. opera company, returned home to rest in Danville on Saturday. View Full Article Courtesy of The News and Advance

The late Camilla Ella Williams, renowned as the first black woman to sing with a major U.S. opera company, returned home to rest in Danville on Saturday. View Full Article Courtesy of The News and Advance https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/94 https://www.danvillemuseum.org/news/details/ID/94 Tuesday, 14 February 2012 12:00:00 +0000

We still have Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, Denyce Graves, and Barbara Hendricks, to name a few of the most famous African American opera divas of today, but there were great ones before these who paved the way. Before Marian Anderson there was Camilla Williams. View Full Article Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library

We still have Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, Denyce Graves, and Barbara Hendricks, to name a few of the most famous African American opera divas of today, but there were great ones before these who paved the way. Before Marian Anderson there was Camilla Williams. View Full Article Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library