Academy Center of the Arts expands its reach with a space designed for connection and community

Photos Courtesy of the ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS

Tucked just below the growing campus of the Academy Center of the Arts, The Music Hall is fast becoming one of the most unique and accessible performance venues in the region. Though small in size—its capacity hovers around 100—the venue offers something big: opportunity.

“It’s a small, intimate venue that puts the artist with the audience,” said Joel Williams, Director of Marketing for the Academy Center of the Arts. “We wanted to create a space that could house upcoming local and regional artists who don’t have to worry about filling 300 or 400 seats—or doing a lot of legwork to get their name out there.”

That accessibility isn’t just for performers. One of the core values of the Academy is being community-focused, and affordability played a major role in the creation of The Music Hall.

“Part of the reason we were able to reopen the Academy’s doors [in 2018] was because the community got behind us,” Williams said. “But the cost of operating an event at one of our larger venues can price some artists or performers out. This provides the same Academy quality on a smaller scale and at a lesser price point.”

The Music Hall comes fully equipped with sound equipment and a full bar, creating a professional performance experience without the pressure or expense of a large venue.

And while it lives up to its name with a focus on live music, the space is intentionally versatile—from R&B to rap to hardcore to theatrical improv.

“You won’t see the same genre over and over,” Williams noted. “A lot of venues in town are often tied to a bar, brewery, or a restaurant, where the music can be more about background atmosphere. Here, people come for the performance itself. It’s a true entertainment venture.”

The setup shifts based on the show. For a jazz performance or cabaret-style event, tables with small lights create a cozy, club-like ambiance. For a high-energy night, the tables are cleared to open the floor for standing room. It’s this adaptability—along with the Academy’s broader programming vision—that allows The Music Hall to bring something fresh to the table each week.

With a goal to host live shows every Friday night, the space is also a launchpad for emerging talent.

“If a show sells out and gains traction, there’s opportunity for them to come back and perform at The Warehouse [the Academy’s 600-capacity space],” said Williams.

“That gives artists a pathway to grow their audience while still staying connected to their roots here in Lynchburg.”

In addition to its performance lineup, The Music Hall is available for rent at an affordable rate. With a built-in PA system, full bar, tables, and flexible layout, it’s an ideal spot for everything from small wedding receptions to retirement parties.

Looking ahead, the team at the Academy hopes to continue using the venue as a platform for growth and inclusion.

“We’ve already had two bands ‘graduate’ from The Music Hall to The Warehouse.

That’s the goal—our venues scale with the artist’s audience. And because we’re community-driven, we want the space to continue being a resource, whether for celebration, creation, or connection.”

The Music Hall is actively seeking local and regional performers to perform in the space! If you are an artist or performer, visit academycenter.org/
music-hall-artist-submissions.

---

Upcoming Music Hall Shows

July 9, 16, 23: 7 PM
Creatures & Cocktails (ongoing series)

July 11: 8 PM
DAT Gold in aJe (feat. Even Back, Doe, Lil Joe)

July 18: 8 PM
The Second Wind Band

July 19: 7 PM
Downtown Comedy Crew

August 1: 7 PM
Broke Theatre Kids:
Live on Stage

August 15: 8 PM
Travis Reigh LIVE
August 22: 8 PM
Jairus Mullen & Taylor Win
“Us and Them”

August 29: 8 PM
An Evening with TJ Lawson

Making a Difference

A local artist uses her skillset to create beautiful works and foster Lynchburg’s growing art scene

By: Christian Shields | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

Tucked away on the third floor of the Bailey Spencer Hardware building on Lynchburg’s main street, the Studio 3 Art Gallery provides patrons with a wide range of artistic expertise, all courtesy of owner JoAnne Becker.

From woodworking to abstract paintings, portrait photography, family history books, and more, Becker has a self-described “compulsion to create things.” This desire to create beauty causes her to try her hand at many different art disciplines with a high level of success. This often leads to unique combinations of photography intertwined in other art forms, such as her custom cigar boxes.

“It’s a good day when I create something interesting,” she said with a smile.

Becker originally moved to Lynchburg from Maine eight years ago. During a conversation with Bailey Spencer owner Michael Pearl five years later, she was offered the chance to rent the third-floor studio space and she jumped at the opportunity.

While Becker places high value on her creations and takes pride in her work, she refuses to hoard these treasures or over price them for her own personal gain. She instead keeps her prices reasonable and also features low cost items to ensure everyone who walks into her studio can take something home if they choose.
“Really the impetus for this is I love what I do, and I want to share that with people,” she said. “It makes people feel good to have their portraits done.
I get satisfaction taking photographs, but it’s also really rewarding to see them go somewhere where people will enjoy them. Whether I give them away or sell them, it’s the same feeling.

It’s not about the money, it’s about sharing what I do.”

This heart for the community extends beyond Becker’s approach for selling her own products. On Saturdays, she hosts a maker’s market in which local artists of any age can set up a table in her gallery to sell their wares. Rather than seeing other artists as competition, she sees them as fellow craftsmen.

“Art is very personal, so it’s hard for some artists to put their work out there for everyone to see, it definitely was for me,” she said. “I am grateful to be able to help young artists at Studio 3 and watch them gain the confidence and fortitude they need for success.”

This summer, Becker will hold her first solo art show, “Beauty of the Unexpected,” at the Up Front Gallery at the Academy Center of the Arts, with an opening night on June 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will run through July 26.

Explore JoAnne’s paintings and photography at joannebecker.com and connect with Studio 3 Art Gallery on Instagram at @studio3lynchburg.

You can find JoAnne’s custom cigar boxes online at creativecigarboxes.com.

Academy Center of the Arts Unveils Artistica.Shop

By Emily Mook / Photos Courtesy of Artistica.Shop

The Academy Center of the Arts (ACOA) consistently proves that maintaining a rich and longstanding history of serving a particular community while also coming up with innovative ways to increase that community’s visibility is possible—and one of the organization’s newest endeavors, Artistica.Shop, epitomizes this dual ability. Launched in July 2023, this online gallery and art sales website spotlights the work of local artists for audiences near and far and allows the artists to focus on their work rather than on the many logistics associated with selling their work.

“The focus for Artistica is incorporating a way for our organization to support artists with their creative endeavors here by providing them an online platform that connects them with a larger audience,” says Michelline Hall, Chief Programming Officer of ACOA. “With Artistica, the artists don’t have to worry about the overhead of trying to advertise, sell, and ship their work, so they can focus on being creative.”

The Academy’s desire to expand and evolve while still honoring its grassroots-inspired origins led to Artistica’s creation.

“One of the biggest roles of an arts center that distinguishes it from a museum or gallery is that arts centers are reflective of their communities,” she notes. “We kind of walk hand-in-hand with artists from our regions and serve as beacons of support for them. The pandemic taught us how to think outside the box about how we can provide that support, and a 21st century mindset also lends itself to this sort of online presence.”

Whether an artist is just beginning to embark on their career or is already well-established, they are encouraged to submit their work for consideration for inclusion in the Artistica gallery. 

“We want to feature work from and give a platform to emerging artists all the way through very established artists who are already touring in prestigious spaces,” remarks Hall. “Of course, as an artist’s portfolio grows, they may get picked up by larger entities. That’s something we love to see.”

Several ACOA staff members work together to make Artistica the pioneering project it is. The point person for the site is Online Curator and Art Sales Manager, A’Nyeja Adams. Adams and Ted Batt, ACOA’s Director of Visual Arts, work together to select the artwork that will be featured on and set for sale through the site.

“A’Nyeja and Ted work closely to review artist submissions, which are submitted online,” Hall says. “They engage in discussions with artists about their work, and they’re the ones who make the final decisions. Our focus is on artists from Central Virginia and Virginia as a whole, but artists from other areas are welcome to submit their work as well. All mediums are encouraged! We feature oil paintings, pottery, photography, and much more. The key requirement is that the work must be original and created entirely by the artist.”

Hall notes that ACOA’s Assistant Director of Programming, Mele Thompson, and Director of Marketing, Joel Williams, also play integral roles in the development and maintenance of the project. Artistica is sponsored by Moore & Giles.

“It definitely takes a community to keep Artistica running!” Hall exclaims.

Indeed, community is at the heart of all of ACOA’s programs and initiatives, including Artistica. The Academy’s official mission is “cultivating a healthier and more interconnected populace through cultural infrastructure and community-building arts programs.”

“Artistica highlights the cultural infrastructure piece of our mission statement in that it allows us to provide a foundation for artists to be artists and not businesspeople,” states Hall. “They are able to generate sales and income through their work without having to deal with the associated logistics. The gallery also creates a more interconnected populace because we understand how art has the power to bring people together and break down barriers.”

One of the most common barriers is a steep price point, and, as such, the Artistica team strives for more accessible pricing on the website.

“We want art to be accessible to people from all walks of life, and for that reason, the art featured on Artistica represents a wide range of price points,” Hall notes. “We want people to be able to think, ‘Before I go to a random box store for art, I should check Artistica to find something original and support a local artist.’”

Although Artistica has a wide reach, it simultaneously maintains and highlights local touchpoints by featuring artwork that can be found at the Academy itself or at one of its three satellite locations.

“Among the art featured on Artistica is art that is currently showcased in our physical galleries,” remarks Hall. “In addition to our on-campus gallery, we have three satellite galleries: one at Westminster Canterbury, one at the Virginian, and one at Magnolia Foods. If someone sees a piece of art they love in passing at one of these locations, they can visit Artistica.Shop to learn more about the artist, look at their other work, and make a purchase if they so desire. The reverse is also true: if someone sees one of these pieces they like on the website and wants to view it in person, they can do so. As such, the online gallery allows us to serve our First Friday and other local audiences in a greater way.”

Local performing arts enthusiasts will also notice that a wall in the lobby of the Historic Academy Theatre has been converted into an interactive Artistica.Shop gallery, complete with a touch screen panel and a featured artist display that changes each month.

ACOA hopes to continue to raise awareness of the site and expand its reach and accessibility, and Hall personally hopes to continue to challenge people’s perceptions about what art is and who it’s for.

“Art is truly for everyone,” she says. “I love helping people discover the healing aspects of art and learn that they can communicate things through the arts that are hard to communicate through conversation. And I think it’s beautiful that art can then actually lead to conversations, even about really tough topics.”

In this fast-paced and sometimes isolating world we live in, it’s nice to know that the beginning of some of those meaningful, community-building conversations could be a mere click away.  

The Academy Center of the Arts Continues to Hone their Mission

Photos Courtesy of The Academy Center of the Arts

In its nearly 120-year history, the Academy Center of the Arts has seen highs and lows.

It was once a prominent, glamorous theater that brought in traveling shows, musicals, and performers.

At its lowest point, it was shuttered for six decades before restoration groups fought and fundraised for years to finally renovate the historic landmark back to its former glory.

Dr. Bill Kershner, volunteer archivist at the Academy, said there have been several stages in the life of the theater lasting longer than a century.

The golden age of the Academy began in 1905 and lasted until about 1915, he said.

The Academy opened in February of 1905 and had first and second class touring companies who would come to the Academy after their Broadway shows.

“Lynchburg was an important stop because these touring companies didn’t want to travel without making any money every day. They didn’t want to play for, say, a week in Washington D.C. and then a week in Atlanta, and then lose a couple of days traveling. So they would book these things together,” Kershner said. “So Lynchburg was on that circuit. We had the same shows that everybody read about during this period.”

The Academy also offered cheaper events that were popular with different groups in the community.

“So the Academy always served several different parts of the community,” Kershner said. “It wasn’t just the wealthy folks.”

Aside from the touring companies, the Academy also held concerts and recitals, some of them by internationally famous acts. They even tried wrestling in 1914, and Kershner says he is still wrapping his head around how that was pulled off.

Parts of the Academy burned down on April 20, 1911, and the interior was destroyed. No one knows what caused the fire, but the best guess was it was caused by the furnace, Kershner said.

It was rebuilt and reopened in December of 1912 and the interior was even grander than the original—and it was that version that became the prototype for the restorations in 2015. The next period of the Academy brought in silent films, though the building wasn’t fitted for that type of venue until a third stage was built in 1928 for talking movies.

“For about two years, it does first run films and the Academy is once again on the forefront of entertainment in Lynchburg—but that only lasts a few years, because in 1930 the Paramount, designed as a movie theater, opens across the street, and after that they’re really a second-run theater,” he said.

Most people who remember the Academy from this time will remember viewing the serial films shown on Saturdays.

The theater showed some movies that were about a year or two old, ran serials, and held the occasional vaudeville show until it ultimately closed in 1958 and remained shut for 60 years until it reopened in 2018.

For the first 10 years of its closure, it fell into disrepair until the announcement that the 5th Street bridge would be built right through it in the late 1960s

A group of citizens rallied to secure a historical landmark status in 1969 and got the bridge rerouted, Kershner said, and although that group had hoped to restore it, raising money was difficult, so it continued to sit for another 15 years until the early 1980s when it was bought by Liberty University who had the idea to restore it.

That never happened though.

In the 1990s it was sold to the Friends of the Academy for the low price of about $10, Kershner said, and in 1996 it merged with the Fine Arts Center.

“That’s when the Fine Arts Center was torn down and they raised the money for the Warehouse Theater and the building next door, which became the art galleries,” he said.

It wasn’t for another 20 years when other spaces were being renewed downtown that people saw possibilities for the Academy to be a part of that renovation work. “People saw that downtown was coming back to life,” Kershner said.

In 2015 they began seriously raising money and were successful, which was around the time that CEO Geoff Kershner—Bill Kershner’s son—took over.

“So that was pretty gratifying to us that it was while Geoff was executive director that it actually happened,” he said.

By December 2018, the historic theater was back open after a $30 million restoration project.

Nearly 50 years after community members were able to begin fundraising efforts for the Academy and save it from demolition, the beloved historic space was able to live on with the same mission it’s had all along of serving citizens from all backgrounds.

That inclusivity is an important piece of Chief Programming Officer Michelline Hall’s job, who said the mission of the new Academy is to have arts be accessible for all people in the community.

“A part of that is having camps and classes that people can attend and participate in and then another piece is providing financial support for people who can’t afford it,” she said.

New to the Academy that was not a part of its original function is the art galleries and educational classes that the community now has an opportunity to be a part of.

It recently has begun offering Academy in Motion, a mobile arts program that seeks to impact members of the Lynchburg community by providing arts access to groups and individuals with barriers that would otherwise prevent exposure to the arts on their physical campus.

Hall said the bus goes to the YMCA, adult day care centers, and schools to bring programming straight to participants.

She said it also has a partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension on an initiative called Plates and Paints, which is a food and nutrition program. The program works with people digitally to make a healthy plate of food in a way that is diverse in color just like a paint palette would be.

The Academy is also open for school field trips and offers students to take a class, see a performance or the art galleries, or learn the history of the building.

“That’s the programmatic aspect of being intentional about how often we’re creating those moments where we’re able to tie in that educational and cultural component because a lot of these kids, just by expanding their horizons, you never know what they may decide they can do,” Hall said.

Hall said the Academy is going to invest in the best acts and artists that it can bring in, but wants to make sure that it’s bringing everyone to the table to enjoy it.

“I don’t know how many doors were opened just from people seeing something or experiencing something or hearing someone that inspired them and allowed them to go down a certain path,” Hall said. “I’m not anticipating that kids that come in here to all become amazing visual artists, but maybe they feel like they can do something else in their lives that they thought they wouldn’t be able to do.”

That’s a beautiful thing about the arts. The arts are cross-cultural, Hall said, and reach across all demographics.

“Good music touches everyone,” she said. “It doesn’t have a zip code, it doesn’t have a salary cap or limit. There are certain things about the arts that just unify all of us together.

And we’re trying to constantly be the catalyst for that.”

From day camps to outdoor events, check out these 13 family-friendly ideas.

Academy Center of the Arts
Calling all actors and artists (and their awesome parents): The Academy is hosting six youth theatre camps in addition to a summer full of art and pottery camps. Paint a masterpiece, throw on the pottery wheel, act in a play, animate a story, and more in our summer camps! Visit academycenter.org or call (434) 846-8499 to learn more and register.

---

Endstation Theatre Company
Looking to shake things up this summer? Endstation Theatre Company brings the best of live professional theatre to Lynchburg. Hosted on the Randolph College campus, their productions are chosen specifically for the Central Virginia audience by drawing on the interests, stories, and landscape of our area. Their 2018 season includes the rockin’ musical “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” an outdoor adaptation of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” and the drama-heavy play “Br’er Cotton” set right here in Lynchburg. Tickets available now at EndstationTheatre.org

---

Amazement Square
Amazement Square is an award-winning, interactive and family-friendly museum located in historic Riverfront Lynchburg. The museum’s 4 floors of multidisciplinary interactive exhibits are designed for guests of all ages. Whether you are into science, the arts, music, building or pretend play, there is something for all to do and learn! If you have little kids, the museum has exhibitions for kids 5 & under and 3 & under, where you can explore the world of the farmland and the seas. The museum’s Paint Box, where guests can paint the walls to their heart’s desire; James River Gallery, where they can create a rainstorm over downtown Lynchburg; and its new innovative and inquisitive learning Makerspace Lab have become a landmark and destination for visitors to Lynchburg! For more information visit amazementsquare.org or call 434-845-1888.

---

James River Day School
Summer fun is just around the corner! Take advantage of the many summer camps James River Day School has to offer. Your child will have a great time (and still learn a bit)!

There are camps for children coming into kindergarten through students going into 9th grade. Kids can get outdoors for hiking adventures and searching for geocaches. There’s even a camp-out at the school! With games and pizza!

Kids can create art, including objects made with a 3D printer. Or, they can make their own percussion instruments and learn playing techniques. Want to learn a bit of Spanish? James River has that, too! Kids from all over come to camps at James River Day School and have tons of fun. Sign up at jrds.school/summer-camps.

---

Lynchburg Hillcats Baseball
There’s no better way to spend a summer night than at Lynchburg City Stadium cheering on the Hillcats. The team plays 23 home games throughout May and June, highlighted by several exceptional promotions and giveaways. May 4th is Star Wars Night, along with a Southpaw bobblehead giveaway. Greatefully Dead Christmas Night is on May 19th, presented by My Guitar Shop and Speakertree Records, featuring a pre-game cover band performance, and post-game fireworks presented by Woodforest National Bank. The Hillcats will wear Gratefully Dead Christmas-themed jerseys which will be auctioned off during the game. June 22nd is Jurassic at the Park Night, and fans will receive a Francisco Mejia bobblehead. For tickets and more information visit Lynchburg-Hillcats.com, call (434) 528-1144 or visit the Hillcats Box Office.

---

Lynchburg City Parks & Recreation
Bring your family, friends, a blanket or chair, and join Lynchburg Parks & Recreation for the third Movies in the Park Summer Season! This summer, we’re hosting four Movies in the Park, where families and friends can catch a free flick under the stars. Screening times start at 8:00pm for each movie. Visit www.lynchburgparksandrec.com for updates and more information.

---

Lynchburg Museum System
The Lynchburg Museum System is gearing up for some summer fun! Join us for Teacher Recertification Camp June 25-29, Discover Lynchburg Summer Camp for Kids July 9-13, and Afternoon Painting at the Point on August 11th. Please go to Lynchburgmuseum.org to find out more information pertaining to these amazing programs!

---

National D-Day Memorial
A 1940s HOMEFRONT FESTIVAL
When the teacher asks what they did this summer, your kids will be able to say, “Traveled back in time!” The National D-Day Memorial presents “A 1940s Homefront Festival” on Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. –3 p.m. Kids get in free during the ever-popular family event.

World War II veterans will tell their real-life tales from the front lines. Living historians, dressed in full costume, show what life was like at home and at war. Visitors can hold history in their hands as actual artifacts will be on display. Jive and swing to the music of the day. The annual festival is held rain or shine on Memorial grounds. The National D-Day Memorial is located at 3 Overlord Circle, just off U.S. 460 in Bedford.

---

Patrick Henry’s Red Hill
The beauty of Red Hill and the landscape surrounding it is virtually unchanged from the days when Patrick Henry lived here. The peacefulness in this place Henry called the “garden spot of the world” flourishes.

July 4th at Red Hill is a day full of living history, music, patriotism and fireworks! Events begin at 3:00PM, fireworks at dusk. Open year-round. www.redhill.org

---

Putt-Putt Fun Center of Lynchburg
Get ready for unforgettable summer memories without leaving town! Putt-Putt Fun Center Lynchburg offers affordable, daily fun for a staycation you can enjoy all summer long. With laser tag, bumper cars, an arcade, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and Putt-Putt Golf, you can sizzle in the sun or beat the heat with our array of outdoor and indoor activities! 8105 Timberlake Road. (434) 237-PUTT. www.puttputt.com/lynchburg

---

Sluggo’s Sundae Drive
Serving premium, hand-crafted ice cream made fresh several times each week, this family home turned homemade ice cream parlor is open year-round. Indoor seating is complemented by front porch and yard seating when warm enough. Established in 2014, Sluggo’s Sundae Drive has set the Lynchburg area standard with 5 star ratings and customer proclaimed “best ever ice cream.” 177 Elon Road, Madison Heights. www.facebook.com/Sluggos.sundae.drive

---

Thomas Road Baptist Church
Attention Parents! Don’t miss out on an incredible summer opportunity for your kids at Camp Hydaway! Join us for a fun-filled week of exciting activities, crazy party nights and theme days, new friendships, and awesome worship and Bible study. Camp is a unique place for children to experience and know the love of Jesus Christ. Register today at camphydaway.com

---

YMCA
For more than 160 years, the YMCA of Central Virginia has been listening to and responding to our community’s needs. Through innovative programming and initiatives, we are developing youth, working to prevent chronic disease, and building a healthier community.

We offer a wide range of programs for the whole family. Swim lessons, child care, youth sports, chronic disease prevention, travel opportunities and classes for active adults, and wellness programs focus on creating a better community for all.

The Y connects people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with the tools and resources they need to reach their full potential. Three convenient locations and donor-supported financial assistance ensure everyone has access to vital life-changing opportunities at the Y. For more information visit ymcacva.org or call Jamerson YMCA (434) 582-1900, Downtown YMCA (434) 847-5597, YMCA Express (434) 455-5996.