The Montgomery Museum of Art & History Hosts Three New Exhibits of Local Artwork and Shares the Photographic Story of a Christiansburg Mail Carrier

The Montgomery Museum is thrilled to announce four exciting new exhibits that celebrate local art and history, offering a rich representation of local cultural heritage and artistic talent.

Andrea Brunais’ vibrant artworks in her show “Riotous Color” are created using soft pastels, which contain higher pigment concentrations compared to oils or acrylics. Brunais’ perception of her chosen world, the majestic mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, significantly contributes to the riotous colors in her work. Brunais moved from Florida to Bluefield, where she was captivated by the plants, animals, and landscapes of Appalachia.

The Backyard Stonecarvers (BYSC) organization will showcase their remarkable sculptural work at an upcoming exhibit at the Montgomery Museum of Art and History. Featured artists include Linda Correll, Terry Warthen, Pam Goff, Judy Franklin, Jennifer Lovejoy, Lisa McNair, Dottie Mae Atkins Neikirk, Hiromi Okumura, Melissa Pilkington, Estill Putney, and Andy Sisson. BYSC beginnings were in Darcy Meeker’s backyard in the 1990s, and they passionately continue their 3rd decade of sharing their tools, expertise, and love for three-dimensional art.

Shifting from stonecarving to ceramic, Debby Freed’s exhibit “Animalia: A Menagerie of Whimsical Hand-built Ceramic Sculptures” displays works fresh from the kiln. Among these delightful creatures is a collection titled “Animals of Assisi,” inspired by the 13th-century friar and patron saint of animals. Freed’s interpretation of these clay animals depicts them nurturing and caring for the young of another species, rather than their own offspring.

For a pictorial history of Christiansburg, visit the “Special Delivery: Scenes of Christiansburg” exhibit in the Museum’s vault. Picture traveling the same route, the same streets, everyday. Over the course of the years and decades traveled along the same route, change is seen abound. Most often taken from the road, the photos of a mail carrier record their routes and routines as well as evolving local history. This is exactly what mail carrier Harold “Sonny” H. Speed, Jr. did over the span of his 31 year career.

The public is invited to join us at the reception for Andrea Brunais: Riotous Color, Backyard Stonecarvers, Debby Freed, and Special Delivery: Scenes of Christiansburg exhibits on Thursday, May 8 from 5 - 7:00 PM! Food and refreshments will be served.