Our classes and events range from exhibits highlighting work by local artists young and old and providing instruction in various art forms, to just plain fun like music in the park. Most of our exhibits and events are free and open to the public. Classes may require pre-registration and payment.
Join talented local artist Cyndi Maitri for a hands-on session designed for all experience levels—from first-time felters to seasoned creatives.
The Fine Arts Center is now accepting entries for one of our most beloved annual exhibits — Menagerie 2025!
Join us for our annual music and arts festival in Jackson Park on August 9th! Our line-up of musicians is not to be missed. Enjoy a rich arts atmosphere, upbeat tunes, and delicious food from a selection of regional food trucks.
Check back for updates as we finalize the schedule and list of vendors for this year’s event.
Location: Jackson Park, Pulaski (40 1st St NW)
Friday, September 5th, join us for an unforgettable evening of live jazz with the Allegro Trio, featuring Frank Leonetti (flute), Flip Shoemaker (guitar), and Gwen Whitfield (vocals).
Our popular 2D & 3D Needle Felting Class is returning to our Blacksburg location on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Join talented local artist Cyndi Maitri for a hands-on session designed for all experience levels—from first-time felters to seasoned creatives.
The Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley announces a special summer exhibition in collaboration with the Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), a partner of Virginia Tech. This showcase of more than 40 original works by LLI students and instructors presents a vibrant mix of perspectives, media, and personal expression.
Ernie Ross returns by popular demand to offer this class teaching Acrylic painting techniques.
Ernie Ross is an award-winning artist and popular local art teacher. Ernie is known for acrylics and watercolors on canvases, paper, and other media. He has taught acrylic and watercolor classes for 20 years at the Fine Arts Center and elsewhere.
Why do some drawings feel flat while others seem to leap off the page? This hands-on workshop explores techniques for adding texture and depth to landscape drawings using shading, blending, and tools like graphite powder. Participants will work on a small scene featuring trees and water, gaining practical skills that enhance realism in their work.
Join us in Blacksburg on Saturday, May 24 from noon to 5:00 pm for a special meet-the-artist event (complete with artist demonstrations) with local artist Tara Fowlkes.
Are you one of the many people who struggle with rendering an accurate line drawings from a photo? I was one of those people years ago, until I learned about using a grid. In this 2 hour workshop, I will share with you everything I learned to help me create accurate line drawings that translated into becoming a commissioned artist. Come learn how to draw up a grid on your drawing surface, how to enlarge or reduce your image, important tips to prevent problems and much more. You will get to practice drawing using the grid with a photo of your choice.
Join talented local artist Cyndi Maitri for a hands-on session designed for all experience levels—from first-time felters to seasoned creatives.
Join us at the Fine Arts Center's Blacksburg location on Friday, April 19th (2-4 pm), for a special performance by Leslie Brooks!
Leslie Brooks is a songwriter and recording artist whose eclectic vocal style spans soulful ballads, country blues, folk, Americana, and jazz. A seasoned performer and accomplished guitarist, she has traveled the U.S. and abroad, weaving her experiences into heartfelt songs.
American Roots is father/son guitar and vocal harmony duo Fred and Jon Benfield who have performed around the New River Valley for about 30 years. They’ll close out the Fine Arts Center’s First Friday Listening Room 2024-25 season with a performance on Friday, May 2.
Polarity exists all around us—in nature, human emotions, art, and the systems that shape our world. It is the interplay of these opposites that defines our experience. These dichotomies, light and dark, chaos and order, geometric and organic, can create tension, but they also hold the potential for harmony. When we pause to explore these contrasts, we discover connections and opportunities to create something more potent than either element alone.
POLARITY opening reception is on Thursday, April 10 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Center. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar serving wine and beer. The public is invited and artists are encouraged to attend. Join us in exploring this dynamic exhibition!
Try your hand at weaving in this 2 hour class. Learn the basics on a Rigid Heddle Loom, dress the loom, weave and finish with a hem-stitch to make a hanging sampler. All materials included.
Back by popular demand, Scuffletown with Matty Metcalfe will perform at the Fine Arts Center’s First Friday Listening Room on April 4. This high-energy trio consisting performs a unique blend of original music and acoustic roots, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and country with four acclaimed albums along the way.
Join Ann Shawhan, for an afternoon break in the day, socializing over making art, tea and cookies. Ann has a BFA from Florida State University, 1974. She has been predominantly a painter until 3 years ago when she took up making non-traditional mosaics. Choose one of these two sessions to explore the idea of mosaic making with paper and canvas pieces. Materials are supplied but can be supplemented with photos and paper you'd like to bring.
6-Week Class - Thursdays, March 20th to April 24th
Beginner watercolor class teaches the techniques of watercolor painting in a step by step method. In the first class, paint a 4”x 6” winter scene that will be ready to matte and frame. The early lessons focus on watercolor techniques not as much on drawing. Each lesson builds on the first one, adding new elements, sky, mountains, barns or houses, forests, flowers and even figures if you choose.
Meet the artists of the first front window installation at Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley at Blacksburg. Join us Saturday, March 15th from 3-5pm. Come talk with Lauren Cooper and Kaily Schenker about their installation "Spirit of Appalachia.” Light refreshments will be served.
Join Ann Shawhan, for an afternoon break in the day, socializing over making art, tea and cookies. Ann has a BFA from Florida State University, 1974. She has been predominantly a painter until 3 years ago when she took up making non-traditional mosaics. Choose one of these two sessions to explore the idea of mosaic making with paper and canvas pieces. Materials are supplied but can be supplemented with photos and paper you'd like to bring.
Kat Mills is a singer-songwriter, wife, mother, and activist based in the Blue Ridge mountains and known throughout the region for her down-to-earth style and powerful voice. Kat is our featured artist in the March Listening Room at the Fine Arts Center in Pulaski.
Try your hand at weaving in this 2 hour class. Learn the basics on a Rigid Heddle Loom, dress the loom, weave and finish with a hem-stitch to make a hanging sampler. All materials included.
Jessica Yamamoto will guide students on all steps required to create their own twisted tapered candle. No prior experience needed. The class is designed for adults 18 and above. At the end of the class, students will complete their own hand-made candle to take home.
Jessica Yamamoto will guide students on all steps required to create their own tapered candles. No prior experience needed and the class is designed for students ages 10 - 18 years old. At the end of the class, students will complete their own hand-made tapered candle or candles to take home (quantity based on the supplies fee chosen).
Schedule (February 22, 2025):
The Reception will start at noon in the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley.
The Awards Ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Historic Pulaski Theatre.
Following the Awards, Educators may pick up their students’ art.
New at FAC: Collage Nites!
Looking for a relaxed, creative outlet? Join us for Collage Nites, a free monthly event for adults (age 15+) where you can explore art, experiment with supplies, and connect with fellow creatives!
Join us on Thursday, January 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center in Pulaski
🖌️ We’ll provide materials (but feel free to bring your own!)
💬 Meet new people and enjoy a casual night of making art together.
💸 Free to attend, donations are welcome to replenish supplies!
Beginners will learn the basic skills of dry felting while creating a piece of frameable art, approximately 8x12. Choose an image from selections provided by the instructor, or you may bring your own image if you prefer.
Discover the beauty of acrylic painting in this dynamic workshop led by artist Ernie Ross. Designed for all levels, from beginners to intermediate painters, this class will guide you through foundational skills while allowing more experienced students to refine their techniques and receive personalized coaching.
Barry is a Floyd based musician with a gift for generating a great atmosphere and making sure the entire audience has a great time. He describes his music as sentimental and irreverent, delving into a mixture of styles which include Rock, Folk, Pop, Americana, Singer-Songwriter, Alt-Country, and Bluegrass. Drew Willson Drew joins Barry, lending his beautiful instrumentation and harmonies, to make for an unmissable event!
Discover the beauty of acrylic painting in this dynamic workshop led by artist Ernie Ross. Designed for all levels, from beginners to intermediate painters, this class will guide you through foundational skills while allowing more experienced students to refine their techniques and receive personalized coaching.
New at FAC: Collage Nites!
Looking for a relaxed, creative outlet? Join us for Collage Nites, a free monthly event for adults (age 15+) where you can explore art, experiment with supplies, and connect with fellow creatives!
Join us on Thursday, January 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center in Pulaski
🖌️ We’ll provide materials (but feel free to bring your own!)
💬 Meet new people and enjoy a casual night of making art together.
💸 Free to attend, donations are welcome to replenish supplies!
Discover the beauty of acrylic painting in this dynamic workshop led by artist Ernie Ross. Designed for all levels, from beginners to intermediate painters, this class will guide you through foundational skills while allowing more experienced students to refine their techniques and receive personalized coaching.
Beginners will learn the basic skills of dry felting while creating a piece of frameable art, approximately 8x12. Choose an image from selections provided by the instructor, or you may bring your own image if you prefer.
Discover the beauty of acrylic painting in this dynamic workshop led by artist Ernie Ross. Designed for all levels, from beginners to intermediate painters, this class will guide you through foundational skills while allowing more experienced students to refine their techniques and receive personalized coaching.
