The Nineteenth Annual Depot Artists Association Members’ Show and Sale is presently on exhibit and will continue through January 3, 2009 at the Arts Depot in Abingdon, VA. Seventy-two artists will be exhibiting 130 pieces of their work created in clay, watercolor, oils, acrylics, collages, mixed media, photography, fabrics, stained glass, wood, 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 the late Landon Woody, a longtime painter, one of the founders of Wednesday Morning painters, and ardent supporter of the Arts Depot, who passed away in 2007. 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 6th and December 27th and last about one hour. 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 7th, 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 will also be open from 11 AM until 8 PM on Thursday, December 4th as a part of Abingdon Main Street’s “Mingle and Jingle” Holiday Shopping Day.

The Depot Artist Association is a non-profit volunteer organization that is dedicated to promoting the arts in the community and features the region’s artists. The viewing hours are Thursday thru Saturday, 11 am – 3 pm, or by appointment and is free to the public. The Arts Depot will be closed Thanksgiving Day. For further information about this show and sale or other exhibits and activities of The Arts Depot, call (276) 628-9091 or e-mail: abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.com, or visit our web site at www.abingdonartsdepot.org.