William King Museum of Art hosts Women’s 20th Century Quilting, Barter Theatre 90th Anniversary exhibits; more don’t-miss art in Abingdon
ABINGDON, VIRGINIA–APRIL 2023–Just off I-81, only ten minutes north of Bristol, Tennessee, and two hours northeast of Asheville, North Carolina, is Abingdon, Virginia. Easily accessible from many metro areas, this has been described as one of the coolest small towns in the country. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, it combines historic charm and proximity to spectacular outdoor recreation.
Evolving from Black’s Fort, the town was founded in 1778 as a civilized outpost on the Great Road, the wilderness route across the Blue Ridge Mountains to the new frontier, bringing architecture and the arts into Appalachia. Abingdon’s history includes the extraordinary success story of the Barter Theatre, which survived the Great Depression by literally bartering milk for musicals and farm produce for plays, and went on to become the longest continually operating theatre in the country and the designated State Theatre of Virginia.
This year, two engaging art exhibits at the William King Museum of Art show that everything old is new again. (415 Academy Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24212; 276-628-5005) From now through October 22, “Reviving the Thread: Women’s 20th Century Quilting” explores this important regional cultural heritage and how it reflects the dramatic changes of women’s history in 20th century America. Composed of approximately 30 artfully crafted quilts from nearby counties in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, the array of quilts will showcase the changes in style, materials, techniques, and tools that changed between the craft revival of the early 1900s through modern mid-century quilts.
This year marks The Barter Theatre’s 90th anniversary, the Museum is launching a special exhibit in its honor. From May 18 – September 17, 2023, “The Best of Barter” displays the contemporary, the avant-garde, and the downright spectacular constructions created by Barter Theatre designers. Go behind the scenes into the craftsmanship that exists behind every stitch and the thoughtfulness of every movement and pose that an actor takes on stage. Examine the costumes conceived by Barter Theatre’s costume department and discover the sleuths that integrate historical fashion and present-day production. Explore the makings of kinetic props with Barter’s leading prop designers and dive into details of set design with Barter Theatre’s set designers as they prepare for quick scene changes, dance numbers, and heartfelt melodies. The magic of the theater is revealed as viewers learn what goes into the making of a production and the labor-intensive ties that bind each performance.
With six galleries and frequently changing exhibits, the museum is considered the premier visual arts center in the region. It is known for its quality exhibitions ranging from contemporary Appalachian art and evocative Appalachian cultural heritage art, photography and artifacts to fine art from all around the world. It is also home to the Betsy K. White Cultural Heritage Research Archive, which documents the rich decorative arts legacy of the region, work that is reflected in two cultural heritage galleries which celebrate that legacy.
For those who love visual arts, The Arts Depot (314 Depot Square, Abingdon, Virginia 34210; 276-628-9091) is another must-see. The non-profit center includes three large galleries and seven resident artist studios housed in a 19th-century freight station. Visitors love to watch artists showcase their skills in these working studios. Nearby is one of the oldest locally made craft cooperatives in the country, Holston Mountain Artisans, started in 1971. Its artists’ work showcases the best in both traditional and contemporary art and crafts of the region.
Located in the heart of downtown, the beautifully preserved Barter Theatre is a big part of the heart of Abingdon and is the longest continually operating theatre in the country. Opened in 1933 of Depression-era ingenuity, it re-invented itself during the pandemic, making headlines for staging live outdoor performances at Abingdon’s historic drive-in theatre. “Barter at the Moonlite Drive-In” began offering the same quality of performance audiences expected, with a touch of drive-in nostalgia.
For a mix of art and regional culture, visit the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace (1 Heartwood Circle, Abingdon, Virginia 24210; 276-492-2400). Housed in an architecturally breathtaking, soaring glass, wood and stone welcome center, visitors and locals shop among juried collections of artistic works, from clothing, home goods, toys and more. Enjoy old time, bluegrass and gospel music, meet artisans and musicians at events and enjoy the ambience of the café.
If You Go
Abingdon is a Main Street Community, underscoring its commitment to promoting history, culture, vitality and sustainability. Which means it’s a delightfully preserved, warmly welcoming, lively, exciting and photogenic place worth visiting again and again. Stay for a night or more to take in the arts scene, along with the culinary attractions. A four-time winner of the Best Small Town Food Scene in the Country (USA Today, 2019, 2020, 2021), Abingdon offers a unique food scene rooted in mountain traditions and infused with local creativity, from entrees and desserts to carefully-crafted cocktails, wines and beers. This artsy town of 8,000 residents has more restaurants per capita than New York, San Francisco, and even New Orleans, making this destination a foodie’s dream. The Barter Theatre’s performances on two stages are scheduled for taking in several different plays during a visit. www.VisitAbingdonVirginia.com