"In the Moment: Artists and Their Work"

Celebrating and elevating our local and regional artists, In the Moment: Artists and Their Work provides an opportunity to meet notable creators of Southwest Virginia—from visual artists to theatre-makers to choreographers—and learn more about their creative processes. This series of 45-minute chats gives an exclusive look inside the homes and studios of the artists—providing a chance to experience their work, ask questions, and discuss how creative luminaries are approaching art in this moment. 

Do you know an artist who would be a perfect candidate for this series? Fill out the artist recommendation form here.

Past Events

Earl White

This session featured Floyd-based fiddler Earl White. A prominent figure rooted in the practice, teaching, and sustaining of American string band traditions, White shares his music and reflects on a lifetime of deep commitment to keep traditions alive. This session is moderated by Margaret Lawrence, Moss Arts Center director of programming.

Martha Olson

This session features Martha Olson, a Blacksburg-based artist whose work is featured in the center's summer 2021 exhibition, Roots, Reeds, and Vines: The Art of Basketry. Olson shares the creative inspirations and techniques that bring her mixed-media vessels to life. This session is moderated by Meggin Hicklin, Moss Arts Center exhibitions program manager.

Brian Counihan and Olchar Lindsann

This session featured two accomplished Roanoke-based artists and educators, Brian Counihan and Olchar Lindsann, as they discussed balancing personal and professional creative work, arts education, and the creative challenges and opportunities presented by our current climate.

Franchell Mack Brown

Virginia fiber/jewelry artist Franchell Mack Brown discussed the evolution of her work and the impact of current events on her creative direction. Brown devises extraordinary creations from crocheted ribbons, industrial ropes, and semiprecious beads. Boundlessly crossing borders, her art is informed by her education in fashion, fine art, goldsmithing, and even welding, which she learned at New River Community College during formative years living in Pulaski. 

Kendall Payne and Keith McCoy of Adaire Theatre in Pulaski, Virginia

Two of the leaders from Adaire Theatre of Pulaski, Virginia—Kendall Payne, the theatre’s producing artistic director, and Keith McCoy, associate artistic director—joined us for discussion about the local theatre. The session was moderated by Jon Catherwood-Ginn, the Moss Arts Center’s associate director of programming, and included a question-and-answer session with attendees.

Rachel Rugh

This Zoom session featured local choreographer and dancer Rachel Rugh, who provided a series of dance demonstrations from the Moss Arts Center's lobby and participated in an interactive discussion moderated by Ruth Waalkes, Moss Arts Center's executive director and Virginia Tech’s associate provost for the arts.

Joe Kelley

In the first Zoom session of the Moss Arts Center’s online series, In the Moment: Artists and Their Work, Joe Kelley, longtime Blacksburg resident and a key artist in our community, joined us from his studio for a discussion about his work and both the challenges and rewards of being an artist. This session was moderated by Margo Crutchfield, Moss Arts Center's curator at large.