NextThreeDays: Event Display

Opening Reception for "Young Layers: Layers of Me"
Venue: Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Directions: Google Map Link
Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Event Types: Arts & Theatre
Cost: Free

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Description:
The Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech presents the Opening Reception for "Young Layers: Layers of Me" on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

We're excited to host the opening reception for “Young Artists: Layers of Me” celebrating 42 art students from Shawsville Middle School. Guided by art teacher Alysha Bates, these young artists explore identity and self-expression through diverse projects.

The young artists designed mixed-media biography jars filled with likes, dislikes, and personal qualities. Serving as metaphors for their identities, some jars overflow with vibrant elements, while others remain partially empty to symbolize an ongoing journey of self-discovery. Additionally, symbolic profile projects allowed the middle schoolers to practice a steady hand while tracing their silhouettes, which they filled with dreams and memories that demonstrate the ways their experiences shape who they are.

The exhibition also features artwork inspired by beloved works like the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and the “Peanuts” comic strip. After watching Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” – a story about embracing one’s true self – students immersed themselves in the film’s distinctive style, creating charcoal, chalk, and conte drawings highlighting their own personalities through character details and frames. While learning the art of caricature, they depicted themselves as “Peanuts” characters, creating illustrations that included personal elements, such as “safety blankets” symbolizing identities and comforts. Through these diverse artistic expressions, students explored their inner struggles and aspirations, reflecting on who they are in and out of school and who they hope to become.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The exhibit will be on display from Tuesday, January 7, 2025 - Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Travel Tip: The sidewalks on the Virginia Tech side of Turner Street are clear and easy to navigate. If you're coming from the town side, we recommend crossing over for safer footing.

The Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech is located at 330 Turner Street NW in Blacksburg, VA.

To view the event flyer, visit: https://i.postimg.cc/vZm4DFJN/image.png.

For more information, visit: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/01/mac-young-artists-shawsville-middle.html or https://artscenter.vt.edu/exhibitions/young-artists-shawsville-middle.html or https://www.facebook.com/artscenteratvt or https://www.instagram.com/artscenteratvt/ or call 540-231-5300.