ArtoberFest: Tri-Cities arts and culture showcase in historic Petersburg

Kristi K. Higgins, The Progress-Index
·2 min read

PETERSBURG — You're invited to ArtoberFest at the Appomattox Iron Works in Old Towne. The festival is part of artoberVA, a month-long celebration of arts and culture presented by CultureWorks.

ArtoberFest features local live music, a variety of performances, live work by visual artists, art activities for children, an art auction, a mural unveiling and much more.

Stage performances include Appomattox Regional Governor School's Dragon Scales vocal ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, First Friday Freedom spoken word artists presented by K. Moss & Associates, music by U & I Plus Latin Band, My Son the Doctor, Dr. Weldon Hill & Friends and a DJ set from Omar Faison of Southern Housepitality.

Mural by Itzel Ortiz aka SOL in Old Towne Petersburg in the Appomattox Iron Works complex.
Mural by Itzel Ortiz aka SOL in Old Towne Petersburg in the Appomattox Iron Works complex.

Local artists Itzel Ortiz, Hue Lightbody, Monica Padilla, David Bartlett, Mark Pehanich, Dolly Holmes, Aimee Joyaux, Barry Roebuck, Brent Fagg, Chase Beasley, Dathan Meme and Randus Ayres will be working live on 4x8 pieces throughout the day. Their completed painted panels will be available for auction starting at 7 p.m. The proceeds directly support the artists and a new three-story tall mural by Navid Rahman in Old Towne Petersburg.

There will be on-site t-shirt screen printing by Inkbug with shirts for sale featuring the new Navid Rahman mural design "Happy Birthday, Petersburg." Artist Lisa Mistry will also unveil her new mural at the Appomattox Iron Works.

Art, craft and food vendors will be present. Local craft beer as well as standard domestic cans will be available for purchase along with multiple food options.

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Performing arts lineup:

  • Dragon Scales and Chamber Orchestra [Choral/Orchestral/Tri-Cities Region] 2 - 3 p.m.

  • First Friday Freedom [Spoken Word/Hopewell] 3 - 4 p.m.

  • U & I Plus Latin Band [Latin/Petersburg/Tri-Cities Region] 4 - 5 p.m.

  • My Son the Doctor [Balkan Mediterranean/University of Richmond] 5 - 6:15 p.m.

  • Dr. Weldon Hill & Friends [Jazz/VSU/Petersburg] 6:30 - 8 p.m.

  • DJ Omar Faison [Afro-House/VSU/Petersburg] 8 - 9 p.m.

ArtoberFest is on Saturday, October 22 from 2-9 p.m. at 30 W. Old Street. The event with free admission presented by Main Street Petersburg, Old Towne Builders and CultureWorks aims to showcase the regional arts and culture scene and ensures a fun experience for the entire family. Donations are encouraged for this community event.

For more information or if you are interested in becoming a vendor, contact Daniel Jones at daniel@richmondcultureworks.org.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg hosts ArtoberFest: Tri-Cities arts and culture showcase