Arts & Culture

Roanokes art scene

Roanoke’s Art Scene

While Roanoke's gems and restaurants get the most press, it has a vibrant art scene and artist community worth celebrating and supporting.
A Painter, a Poet…& A Partnership

A Painter, a Poet…& A Partnership

She’s a painter. He’s a poet. Together, they create children’s books full of whimsy and wonder. But decades before all that, they were two high school sweethearts, falling in love over postcards scribbled with poetry.
A smiling man with curly graying hair, dark-framed glasses, and a light gray blazer over a blue collared shirt.

Arts & Energy: The Creative Vision of Vibrant Communities

Festivals, galleries, theaters and pop-up performances create spaces where neighbors connect, explore and celebrate the region’s unique culture.
Dark brown bold serif text on a cream background reads "Three New Artists to Watch.

Three New Artists To Watch

Meet three Roanoke artists redefining what it means to create — with bold murals, renewed purpose and strong community ties.
Close-up of a textured, sculpted clay face with pink "ARTS & CULTURE" text overlaid on the left.

Arts & Culture in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Roanoke thrives with creativity, from galleries to live performances. Local artists and musicians shape the city’s soul, bringing bold ideas to life across the valley.
Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival

VBR Life 2025: Arts and Culture

Learn more about the phenomenal arts and culture throughout Virginia's Blue Ridge, including Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke counties, Roanoke City and Salem.
The cast of ‘The Women’ at Showtimers Community Theatre rehearse in advance of the opening of the 2023 show.

Taking the Stage

Dedicated individuals and organizations make Roanoke’s theater scene thrive.
Silhouetted crowd with raised hands at a concert, with red "ARTS + CULTURE" text overlaid.

Arts & Culture in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Roanoke’s arts and culture scene is buzzing with events like art exhibitions, dance and theater performances and live music.
“Al’s work has a wonderful sense of narrative that invokes nostalgia,” says Allen TenBusschen, who teaches painting and drawing at the University of Lynchburg. TenBusschen selected Al Winfield’s “Grand Old Day,” shown here with the artist, for Best in Show at a national juried exhibition at Bedford’s Bower Center for the Arts.

Four New Artists to Watch

Meet four emerging visual artists in the Roanoke region making waves with their unique styles and compelling stories.
Pops of color and cozy furniture pieces make it hard to believe that Motel Studios is housed in a true commercial space.

Conjuring Creativity

A new community-focused art studio has set up shop in downtown Roanoke.

Departments

The Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival attracts about 20,000 visitors annually — a boon to the local economy.
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Bloom Town

Flower farms are finding new ways to keep our community beautiful.

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Ask the Experts: Homes

Local homes experts answer all your questions about decor, maintenance, remodeling and more.

Recreating a Dreamy Blue Kitchen
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Recreating a Dreamy Blue Kitchen

Inspired by a beloved former home, this Old Southwest renovation layers sky-blue cabinetry, warm metallic accents, and tailored updates into