The Eighteenth Annual Depot Artists Association Members’ Show and Sale is presently on exhibit and will continue through January 5, 2008 at The Arts Depot in Abingdon, VA. Sixty artists will be exhibiting 109 pieces of their work created in clay, watercolor, oils, acrylics, collages, mixed media, photography, fabrics, stained glass, and much more. 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. This year the award will be honoring Janet Rasnick, a longtime Resident Artist at the Arts Depot, who passed away in October. 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 1st and December 29th. 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 2nd, 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 Arts Depot is a non-profit volunteer organization that is dedicated to promoting the arts in the community and features the region's artists. The Virginia Commission for the Arts provides partial support for these exhibits. The Arts Depot is located in the historic Depot Square area of downtown Abingdon, VA. The gallery and seven working artists studios are open for your viewing pleasure Thursday thru Saturday, 11-3 pm, and 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 our web site at www.abinqdonartsdepot.org.