Bridge the Gap for Art Across the Blue Ridge Mountains

Two craft galleries, one on each side of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park, are joining to strengthen shared ties of art and community.

Thanks to a grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, SoLace Studios Fine Handcrafts, Elkton, Virginia and Noon Whistle Pottery, Stanardsville, Virginia are hosting Bridge the Gap for Art with an opening weekend featuring local artists, musicians, wineries and vacation cottages bridging the gap between Rockingham and Greene counties in Virginia.

SoLace Studios began in 2001 as a work space for marbling fiber artist Barb Polin. This creative endeavor evolved into a gallery representing the fine handcrafts of over 250 regional and national craftsmen in a completely restored circa 1920’s building originally
The Kite Drug Co.

During Bridge the Gap for Art weekend, SoLace Studios will feature original works by local artists including watercolors by Janet Wright, rug hooking by Nancy Slye and nuno felting by Johlene Hess.  Also at SoLace, a Bowl of Good of Harrisonburg will provide light gourmet tapas. Brix and Columns Vineyards of McGaheysville will offer a sampling of wine for tasting while enjoying live local music talent.

Curated by potter Holly Horan and sculptor John Pluta, Noon Whistle Pottery is a fine art and craft gallery representing over 200 American artists housed in a 1930’s Chevy dealership building.  At the inaugural Bridge the Gap event, you can meet the Central Virginia Textile Artists who will exhibit tapestry and loomed wall pieces and scarves at Noon Whistle.  Also featured will be the upcycled found object clocks by Allan Young who says, “My clocks are not just time pieces, but storytellers.”  Savories and sweets by Flaming BonBons Catering Co., wine tastings by Kilaurwen Winery and lively Irish traditional music by Dusty Hedgehogs, Dal Riata and other local musicians guarantee a great weekend.  

Bridge the Gap for Art premiers Saturday, April 6, 2019 and Sunday, April 7, 2019
from 10-5pm. 

Located in quaint small Virginia towns, Noon Whistle Pottery in Stanardsville is just a short scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains over Shenandoah National Park from SoLace Studios. In between enjoying gorgeous art, tapas, wine and live local music, explore the backroads between Noon Whistle Pottery in Stanardsville and SoLace Studios Fine Handcrafts in Elkton.

Following the launch party weekend, the guest artist exhibits of Bridge the Gap for Art will continue through May 31.  The spirit of collaboration and cooperation between SoLace Studios and Noon Whistle Pottery to strengthen shared ties of art and community will carry on well beyond May 31 and into the coming years. “Bridge the Gap for Art is a way to support small businesses and to increase awareness for the disappearing skills of creating handcrafted art.” says Holly from Noon Whistle.

A map for a self-guided tour to visit Bridge the Gap’s participating partners will be available.

The participating partners include Brix and Columns Vineyards of McGaheysville,  Kilaurwen Winery of Stanardsville, The Cottages at Chesley Creek Farm in Dyke and Cair Paravel Farm and Lodging of Stanardsville.  Many thanks for the generous support of Greene County Tourism, Rockingham County Tourism and Virginia Tourism Corporation.

www.bridgethegapforart.com 540-298-5222 or 434-985-6500.