Princeton Creative Community Shines in 2nd Annual All Together Arts Week

Artists and arts organizations from all around Mercer County are encouraging the public to join them in celebrating the second annual All Together Arts Week, a showcase and observation of the thriving arts landscape our area is home to. Writers groups, performing arts groups, photographers, painters, musicians, healing artists and many others will share their work and ideas, and the public is encouraged to come out and discover what the creative community has to offer.

A.T.A.W. begins with a Kickoff event on March 27 at The Brushfork Armory. The event is free to the public and will feature performances and activities for all ages from noon to 6 pm. Displays will give information about programs available for those with creative interests and it is an excellent opportunity for students and adults to become connected with an outlet for their exploration.

The rest of the week features a host of events from poetry slams to music concerts to drum circles and a grand finale parade on Saturday, April 3. You can see the complete schedule at www.alltogetherarts.com. The public is encouraged to attend each of the special events that make up All Together Arts Week. Those interested in participating in the parade should meet at Stages Music School in downtown Princeton at 11 am for face painting, sidewalk chalking and more fun activities. The parade begins at 1 pm.

All Together Arts began with an idea during a Create West Virginia summit in 2008. The Mercer County Commission passed a resolution declaring the importance of the arts in our community and the value and potential of cooperation between various arts groups around the county. The resolution also declared one week each spring to be celebrated as A.T.A.W..

Pete Sternloff of Gary Bowling's House of Art and The Bluefield Town Council said, "All Together Arts Week is one of the most important events taking place on an annual basis in Mercer County because it unites our communities with art, written and spoken word, music and performance which are the foundation of developing a true creative community where people will want to live, work and visit. It is essential that those of us who live in Southern WV work together to develop our community."

Maggie Mainland of the newly formed SWV Music Teachers' Alliance said, "Everyone works hard to make money so they can enjoy life. The arts are a primary source of enjoyment. A.T.A.W. reminds us of what is truly important and beautiful in our lives."

All Together Ars Week is presented with assistance from the Mercer County CVB and LLyniuM entertainment. Visit www.alltogetherarts.com for more information or call 304-425-6425.

Participating Organizations

The RiffRaff Arts Collective
Gary Bowling's House of Art
Bluefield Area Arts Center
Summit Players
Appalachian Highlands Music Association
Stages Music School
Ervin Publishing Company
Associated Photography
Princeton Camera Club
Princeton Poetry Project / Holler
The Ink Slingers Writers
The Music Exchange
Frameworks Plus
The Little Opry
The Bronze Look
Brainerd Gallery
Sacred Ground
Chuck Mathena Center
Bluefield Fine Arts Commission
Blue Mountain Performing Arts
Concord University Fine Arts Department
Princeton Public Library
Craft Memorial Library
Windhorse Healing Arts Association
Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival
The Bluestone Review
Mags Music
SWV Music Teachers Alliance
Walk Free Press
Bluefield College
WV Writers Association
Mercer County Schools

COMPLETE SCHEDULE for All Together Arts Week 2010:

SATURDAY, MARCH 27

9 a.m. - The Unique Show Choir Classic @ Bluefield Area Arts Center

10 a.m. - Knitting Club @ Craft Memorial Library - downtown Bluefield

noon - 6 p.m. - A.T.A.W. KICKOFF EVENT @ Brushfork Armory- Bluefield

7 p.m. - Bobby Maynard & Breakdown @ The Little Opry - Glenwood


SUNDAY, MARCH 28

2:00 p.m.- Blues & Gospel Brunch -w- Melissa McKinney- Sisters Coffee House - Princeton


MONDAY, MARCH 29

5 P.M. - Jusiel-Smith Duo, flute & piano recital @ Concord University- Athens

7 p.m. - Spoken Word Open Mic and Writers' Coffee Klatch, featuring the Inkslingers Writers @ Windhorse Healing Arts Center - downtown Bluefield


TUESDAY, MARCH 30

6 p.m.- Art Night @ Princeton Public Library - Princeton


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31

7 p.m. - A Special Night at Gary Bowling's House of Art- Open Mic & Studio Tour- downtown Bluefield


THURSDAY, APRIL 1

3:30- 4:30 p.m. - Reader's Theatre at Craft Memorial Library- downtown Bluefield

6 p.m. - Special Stages Music School Showcase - downtown Princeton

7 p.m. - Peace Meditation @ Sacred Ground Healing & Meditation Center- downtown Princeton


FRIDAY, APRIL 2

7 p.m. - 2nd Annual Poetry Slam hosted by Ervin Publishing Company @ The Ramsey School- downtown Bluefield

9 p.m. - "McDowell County Inspiration" - Featuring the Art of Jamie Powers @ Bluefield Area Arts Center, downtown Bluefield - drum circle and jam session to follow


SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Discover Downtown Princeton!

◆ 10 a.m. - Fenton Family Signing Event @ The Bronze Look
◆ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Art Alive in The Streets, PARADE and Drum Circle (Mercer Street/ Princeton Town Square)
◆ 6 p.m. - An Evening With The RiffRaff concert @ The Room Upstairs

Visit WWW.ALLTOGETHERARTS.COM for Details About These Events!


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Contact Lori McKinney for more information at 304-425-6425.