Blacksburg Regional Art Association

ART IN OUTREACH!

One of Blacksburg Regional Art Association's purposes is to promote the understanding and appreciation of, and participation in, the visual arts.  Additionally, we want to reach out to our community and provide actual hands-on art experiences.  Our organization's outreach programs vary from painting pet pictures to decorate the Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center, to working with senior citizens by helping them create their own cards and paintings, to creating butterfly paintings as fundraisers for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Montgomery County, to bringing Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' artists to our local high schools, and more.

In 2025, we engaged Doug Hiser (Houston, Texas) to conduct several local events, one of which involved East Montgomery High School's art students in the creation of an 8'x8' mural of an Osprey, which is native to this area. 

                    

Additionally, at the Blacksburg YMCA, Doug did a live painting of Captain Jack, a kestrel falcon from the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center, showcasing their efforts to protect wildlife in our area.

                

In April 2026, BRAA members Ruth Leftko and Jolene Crafton held a workshop at English Meadows as part of our outreach program.  Both the participants and the instructors had a lovely time creating acrylic paintings.

                                         

Let's bring more art opportunities to the New River Valley.  

YOUR DONATION WILL HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN! 

WHO WE ARE

The Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA) is a vibrant community of artists established in 1950, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.  With over 150 members, BRAA comprises painters, sculptors, photographers, and artists of various mediums.  The association aims to make quality art events affordable, attractive, and accessible, encouraging creativity and art exploration.

BRAA offers weekly meetups, monthly meetings, educational workshops, art shows, and promotes local artists.  In 2025, we oversaw a juried biennial exhibition, the New River Art Biennial, which showcased artworks from regional artists.  Additionally, BRAA has partnerships with local businesses to display member artists' work, providing opportunities for sales and exposure.

The Association is organized for the following purposes:

1. To promote the understanding and appreciation of, and participation in, the visual arts.

2. To enhance the cultural life of its members and other residents of Blacksburg and the New River Valley Region and beyond.

Membership is open to all persons in the region and beyond who support and promote the purposes of BRAA.  Membership categories are (a) student, (b) individual, (c) family, and (d) Club 80 (members over 80).

COME AND JOIN US AS TOGETHER WE ART!