Altavista Y, Arts Council slate artists’ reception for Sunday

From staff reports
Published: June 26, 2008

Art lovers will have a chance Sunday to meet the two artists whose works hang on the walls of the Altavista Area YMCA.

The Y, along with the Altavista Arts Council, will host a reception for painter Kelly Gravely Mattox and photographer Edna Tapscott Anderson from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Athletic Center at the YMCA,
located at 718 Seventh St.

Thanks to support from area residents and patrons, such as the Lane family, the Y is one of Altavista’s premier art spots, and often has shows going up and coming down.

The reception will offer a last chance to see 13 paintings by Mattox, whose work has been hanging for about six weeks.

Although now a Lynchburg resident, the award-winning artist known for her use of vivid colors is no stranger to Altavista. “Kelly lived here for a while, so people know her,” said Steve Jester, the YMCA’s
director.

Anderson’s work will be going up. Jester said the Scottsville resident, who is in her 80s, is known in the region for her involvement in the James River Batteau Festival, as well.

Her photographs, many of which show scenes from the state’s Blue Ridge Mountain area, have been featured in University of Virginia catalogues. Moreover, he said her work is in 18 foreign countries and the Empire State Building.

The reception, which will offer free refreshments, is open to all.