Carilion Hospital Group supports local artists with purchase from Appalachian Arts Center

Published on February 21st, 2020

Last modified February 21st, 2020 11:29 am

Appalachian Arts Center is thrilled to announce that Carilion Hospital Group has purchased $14,725 worth of local art for two of its newest facilities.106 pieces of artwork by 33 local artists will soon be gracing the walls of clinics in Galax and Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Arts Center, a part of Southwest Virginia Community College, has enjoyed a strong relationship with Tina Martinez, one of Carilion’s art buyers for many years. This most recent purchase, however, is the largest single sale the Center has made since opening its doors to the community in late February of 2006.

“We were doing a happy dance for sure!” says director, Sarah Romeo about the sale, facilitated by Courtney Jenelle, Deb Linkous and herself over 4 very busy hours. “It is always an exciting time for us and our artists when Tina calls and asks to come to visit from Roanoke. She usually gives about a weeks’ notice, and then we kick into high gear letting our local artists know to bring additional pieces in for her to select from. Things get a bit chaotic in those 3 or 4 days between the time she calls and when she arrives, as large paintings, quilts, drawings, photographs, drawings, and mixed media artworks are brought into our already full galleries. When Tina arrives, the Center is lined floor to ceiling with art for her to consider, and she also likes to poke around in the back storage areas to see what may be hiding there! We are extremely grateful to Tina for her continued advocacy of local art and artists. She could easily choose to decorate the walls of these new clinics with mass-produced art, at a fraction of the cost; hire a company to find original art from all over the USA; or purchase from the Blacksburg, Roanoke area. Instead, she has consistently purchased from Appalachian Arts Center, always remarking on how incredibly talented the artists from this area are, and appreciating the eclectic range of styles and a wide variety of mediums represented by the Center’s more than 200 artists living within a 100-mile radius of the Center. Tina’s commitment to buying original, local art is admirable, and we feel blessed to have her strong support. It is our hope that more businesses closer to home will follow her lead, and consider making a purchase of local, original art in 2020”, says Sarah. “Our friendly staff is always ready to help find the perfect piece for any space, at any price point. We encourage business owners to make an appointment to come in to see what we have to offer!”

The following artists had artwork purchased in the latest sale: Mary Talbott, Susan Patrice Cook, Kathy Wides, Richard Lindamood, Stacy Pugh, Sarah Bowling, Barbara Oakes, Patti Hertzog, Linda Weatherly Shroyer, Kat Van Royen, Mary Talbott, Don Elmes, Walter Shroyer, Barbara Hale, Kim Cordle, Brenda Ratliff, Duane Wolford, Jean Condon, Pam Robbins, Cindy Gillespie, Carolyn Dameron, Sydnei Tatum, Patsy Ingle Phillips, DairelBobbitte, Sylvia Richardson, Anita McGraw, Aleta Cortes, Ellen Elmes, Amber Hurley, Penny Hagerman, Julie Powell, Neva Garrett, Mary Denson. Please help us extend our happiest congratulations to these hardworkingand talented artists in our community!

Appalachian Arts Center is located in the Old Archie Helton General Store, on RT. 19, 2.5 miles south of Claypool Hill. Regular business hours are:Tuesday-Friday: 12-6pm, and Saturday: 10am–6pm. Please contact Sarah Romeo at 276-596-9188 if you are a business owner wanting to make an impact in our community and on our local economy by choosing to purchase art created right here at home. “Our dream is to see at least one piece of local art in every business in Tazewell County, says Sarah. “There are so many benefits to prioritizing locally produced goods, not the least of which is community connectedness. We love that our Arts Center is located in an old general store, and nearly every day we hear fond memories and stories from folks who shopped here before big-box corporate stores effectively put the small-town entrepreneur out of business. We are heartened to see so many #livelocal and #lovewhereyoulive campaigns cropping up all over the USA, and encourage people to join in!”

http://www.appalachianartscenter.org/