The Twentieth Annual Depot Artists Association Members’ Show and Sale is presently on exhibit in all three galleries and will continue through January 2, 2010 at The Arts Depot in Abingdon, VA. Eighty artists will be exhibiting 150 pieces of their work created in clay, watercolor, oils, acrylics, collages, mixed media, photography, fabrics, stained glass, and much more. This exhibit kicks off the 20th Anniversary of the Depot Artists Association occurring in 2010. In addition extra artwork and holiday items have been placed throughout the gallery. This is an opportunity to support local artists and to purchase beautiful one-of-a-kind holiday gifts at very reasonable prices. Also this year the Arts Depot is offering gift certificates for your convenience that can be used by the gift recipient for items within the Arts Depot including artist’s studios. While at the show be sure to vote for your favorite artwork. The Arts Depot People’s Choice Award will be presented to the winning artist. Also during the show local artist Ed Chitwood will conduct two special guided 60-minute gallery tours. These tours will begin at 11 am Saturdays, December 5th and December 19th. Ed will discuss the media and techniques used, as well as make observations related to interpretations of some of the paintings. These tours are free, open to the public, and no reservations are necessary.

The Arts Depot Holiday Open House will be Sunday, December 6th, from 1 to 4 pm. The artists will be in their studios during this time and welcome you to visit and see them at work creating their pieces of artwork. Refreshments will be served throughout the day. During the early part of the afternoon, the Virginia Highlands Community College Madrigal Singers, led by Beth Smith, will be performing and during the later part the melodic sounds of Sandra Parker strumming her harp will fill the gallery to add to your enjoyment as you view the art on display and browse through the many items for purchase.

The Depot Artists Association is a non-profit volunteer organization that operates the Arts Depot and is dedicated to promoting the arts in the community and features the region’s artists. The Arts Depot is located in the historic Depot Square area of downtown Abingdon, VA. The gallery and artists studios are open for your viewing pleasure Thursday and Friday 11-3 and Saturday, 10-4 pm, or by appointment. There is no admission charge. For further information, please contact the Arts Depot at (276) 628-9091, or e-mail at abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.com, or visit their web site at www.abingdonartsdepot.org. The Association is supported in part by grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.