Art notes: From pets to Darwin

From staff reports
Published: October 2, 2008

Bless our pets
Episcopal bishop the Rt. Rev. Neff Powell and Lynchburg area Episcopal clergy will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 4 at the Old City Cemetery with blessings for creatures great and small.

The Blessing of the Animals is set to begin at 10 a.m. in front of the chapel on the cemetery grounds.

People are welcome to bring their animals or a photograph of their animals for blessing. Organizers ask that animals be in pet carriers or on a leash.

There will be a special blessing offered for service animals.

Sherman, the Lynchburg Fire Department Dalmation, will be on hand. So will the Lynchburg Humane Society with animals for adoption; representatives will accept donations, including cat or dog food.
For more information, call (434) 847-1465.

Artist to speak
Ann van de Graaf will discuss growing up in Africa and its influence on her art Sunday when she speaks at the Lynchburg Art Club.

The art club will host a reception from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at its 1011 Rivermont Ave. space, where its new exhibit, “It’s All About Color,” features the work of three area artists: Faye Burnett, Mary Lou Michaels and Betsy Owen.

Although a short meeting for members is scheduled for 4 p.m., the public is invited — particularly to hear van de Graaf speak. She recently opened a studio gallery, Africa House, on Garfield Avenue.
Refreshments will be served afterward.

Maier event set
The Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College will host a family program Sunday in conjunction with its exhibition, “Water Marks: Selections from the Permanent Collection.” The program, scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m., is for kids ages 4 and older, along with their accompanying adults. They can tour the exhibition at 2 p.m., then take a short hike to a creek behind the museum for water-testing demonstrations (conditions permitting). Randolph College environmental club students will serve as guides. The children will return to the museum for a treasure hunt in the galleries, and to write poetry and to create art inspired by the exhibition and their hike. Participants may wish to submit their poems to be considered for a planned publication, “Water Lines,” a compilation of poems written in response to artwork in the Water Marks exhibition. Pre-registration is required; the cost is $4 for Museum members; $5 for the general public. Call (434) 947-8136.

Phi Beta Kappa explores Darwin
The praises of Charles Darwin will be sung Oct. 13 at the Phi Beta Kappa lecture at Sweet Briar College.

The lecture is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Boxwood Room at the Elston Inn and Conference Center.

Betty Smocovitis, who has a joint appointment as professor of zoology and professor of history at the University of Florida in Gainesville, will deliver the lecture, “‘Singing his Praises:’ Darwin and his Theory in Song and Musical Production.”

The lecture will reflect on Darwin, his theory and its expression in popular culture in general, and American culture in particular.

Smocovitis will play and discuss music as part of her presentation. She said it is designed to introduce a general audience to the life of Darwin, to introduce some new insights on his life and work and to provoke thought about the relationship between science and American popular culture.

The lecture is free and open to all. A reception will follow. Call Linda Fink at (434) 381-6436 or e-mail .