Upcoming April BMCF Events
The Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation welcomes the community to experience the following events that are free and open to the public. Contact (540) 443-1601 with any questions.
Remarkable Trees of Virginia with Jeff Kirwan: Thursday, April 9
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: 5:30pm
Arbor Day is coming soon, and in celebration, we will host Jeff Kirwan on April 9 for a presentation about his beautiful book, Remarkable Trees of Virginia (reprint coming soon).
As The University of Virginia Press states, “this stunning collaboration between the noted garden writer Nancy Ross Hugo and the photographer Robert Llewellyn showcases the fruits of an effort begun in 2004 to research, locate, and photograph Virginia’s most remarkable trees. Four years later, more than one thousand trees had been officially nominated to the project, and many others were suggested for possible inclusion. The results, presented in this elegant, four-color volume, are astounding. Hugo and Kirwan, the project coordinators, have selected a sample of trees and “tree places” that illustrate the enormous variety, startling beauty, and fascinating history of Virginia’s trees.”
Jeff Kirwan is a retired Extension Specialist and forestry professor at Virginia Tech. For many years, he led statewide programs for 4-H youth, the Virginia Big Tree Program and founded the Master Naturalist Program.
Exhibit Opening at Five Downtown Galleries: Tolerance Poster Project: Friday, April 10
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: 4-6pm with opening remarks at 4pm
The Tolerance Project is a traveling poster show initiative, a bold enterprise founded and curated by artist-activist Mirko Ilić. The show features posters by prominent artists from around the world whose only direction is to illustrate the word “tolerance” in their native language.
This April, galleries and businesses throughout Blacksburg will unite to display Tolerance posters from many of these designers. The XYZ Art Gallery will also feature work by Graphic Design students in Meaghan Dee’s Advanced Typography class. Each gallery features unique works, so please join us in visiting all locations. BMCF is proud to host founder Mirko Ilić on the opening night. He will give opening remarks at the Alexander Black House at 4:00.
The gallery crawl on April 10 includes BMCF’s gallery at the Alexander Black House, Bird Block Studios, Miller off Main, The Lyric Theatre, and XYZ Art Gallery. Show runs April 1 – April 30 at BMCF.
The Past, Present, and Future of Rail in Montgomery County with Bruce Harper and Ray Smoot
Date: Thursday, April 16
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: 5:30pm
Join us on April 16 for a presentation by Bruce Harper and Ray Smoot on railroad history in Blacksburg and the surrounding county. Bruce Harper will discuss how the rail served troops during the Civil War, helped with coal transport, connected remote communities to Virginia Tech, and how it was converted from rail to trail. In addition to our rich train history, we will get an update from Ray Smoot on the thirteen-year initiative to bring passenger rail service back to our community.
Market Jam at the Museum, Saturday, April 11
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: Second Saturdays, January to May | 2-4pm
The museum is proud to be a cold-weather venue for the Market Square Jam. We’ve got plenty of room in our gallery for players and guests, so come pick a tune or just sit back and listen.
Artist Talk with Savannah Penven
Date: Saturday, April 18
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: 12-1pm
We are excited to welcome Savannah Penven for an artist talk exploring her creative practice and the development of her solo exhibition on display now at the Main Street Inn.
Spring Uke Jam with Ash Devine
Date: Saturday, April 25
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: 2-4pm
Celebrate spring with us for another fun uke-led jam! All stringed instruments, singers, and observers are welcome. Request song charts at bookashdevine@gmail.com
Pulling Threads Movie Screening
Date: Thursday, April 30
Place: The Alexander Black House | 204 Draper Road SW, Blacksburg
Time: 7pm
Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher or community member, you won’t want to miss this special film screening opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflection, woven through powerful threads of personal stories, self-determination and authentic portrayals of disability. Hosted in collaboration with the I’m Determined Center at James Madison University.
*This film portrays the realities of teenage and young adult life and the challenges and tensions that can arise within relationships. Families are encouraged to consider the maturity of its themes for younger viewers.
Movie starts at 7:30pm, but you are encouraged to come at 7:00pm for snacks and refreshments.
RSVP is required at our website for this FREE screening. The event is capped at 50. If full, please email info@blacksburghistory.org to be added to a waitlist.
