Too Many Experiences to Count

Recently I returned from a trip south. My wonderful experiences were too many to count, but I will mention a few that were memorable. In Abingdon, VA., aside from seeing “The Big Fish” at Barter Theatre, the Arts Depot was fortunate enough to be hosting the 5th annual Women Painters of the Southeast, a juried exhibition featuring 160 works by leading representational artists. I was there when they were mounting the show, and I was privileged to view the works of artists from twelve southern states. (The show closes April 30th.) The winner of “Best of Show” will garner a five thousand dollar prize. DF Reed’s work of docked boats and reflecting waters was memorable, as were the works of Nancy Brittle, Kathie Odom, Haden Pickel, Hope Reis, Donna Kilbourne, and many others.
Of particular interest to me, however, is the Arts Depot itself. Celebrating 26 years “of artists and community working together,” the Arts Depot presents six shows each year.  Artists from all over the US are eligible to submit proposals (a $25.00 proposal fee is required).  The proposals are juried in June and winning artists are scheduled for exhibition the following year. If you are a serious artist, and interested in this, contact:
Lisa May @ [email protected]
      Another unforgettable experience was the U. of NC School of Arts Spring Concerto Competition.  We listened to eight different performances—among which were “Concerto for Violin & Orchestra in D. Minor (Sibelius), “Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (Liebermann), a “Soprano & Saxophone Concerto” (Mackey) a “Cello Concerto (Lalo), the “Piano Concerto # 1 in G. Minor, Op. 15 (Mendelssohn) and the winning concerto, “Piano Concerto in G Major (Ravel) played by Owen Dodd. 
     I speak of these experiences a highlights, but the meal our daughter and her family gave us at the Bistro B & Wine Bar a little restaurant tucked off of Main Street in Kernersville—in “the Heart of the Triad”  --was almost magical. Inspired by Old World cuisines of Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy and France, the menu also featured palate pleasers with distinct South American and Caribbean accents. “Chef/Proprietor Timothy A. Bocholis has paid his dues in the industry, working with 4 "James Beard Award Winning Chefs."  
       Traveling South, we saw flowering dogwood and magnolia trees and azaleas in profusion. Amid the stresses of modern culture, life gives us experiences that feed the soul. We  accept them as gifts from the gods.