Cooperative Living July 2021 - 34

Rural Living | by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
Out and About
at the Art Show
Bath County event is a 'go' for July
A
re you weary of staying home,
having nowhere to go, even
if you could? Have I got a
solution for you!
How about a day or a weekend trip
to Hot Springs, and a visit to the Bath
County Art Show? This is a stupendous
show with hundreds of works of
paintings, sculptures, mixed media
and photography, all spread out for
you inside Valley Elementary School's
cafetorium and classrooms. The show is
in its 56th year, and, really, it seems to
get better all the time. It might be one
of the largest art shows in Virginia.
Well, except for last year, when
for the first time ever, it had to be
canceled. But then, wasn't
everything canceled last year?
This year, it's back on, from July
17 through July 25. The show
features artists from across Virginia,
and beyond our borders. It's open
every day from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
I can look around my house and
enjoy several pieces I bought there
through the years. My very favorite is
in my bedroom. It's a painting I might
have commissioned; it shouts to my
Caribbean soul.
I remember when I spotted it,
when it was on an easel far across the
spacious room. If I knocked you aside
racing toward it, I apologize. I did not
want to see anyone stick a red " sold "
sticker on it before I got there.
No worries, though. Really, how
many folks in our gorgeous mountains
and bucolic farm settings are hankering
for a painting of two blue macaws,
kissing in a banana tree, with a
lavender background?
It had everything I love: tropical
birds, banana trees and lots of lavender.
I did not care what it cost, it would be
mine! I was selling real estate at the
time, so price was really no object.
32 | Cooperative Living | July 2021
(Sure, there are some paintings and
sculptures I could never hope to
afford, but there are those priced for
the regular working person, too).
Once, I found a stunning
photograph, framed in driftwood, of
a rainbow trout that actually looked
like a watercolor. I don't know how this
feat was accomplished, but I loved the
effect. Sadly, it had a " sold " sticker on
it. I was dejected, until I noticed the
photographer's name. Hey, I went to
school with Ann Stinnett; we were
friends. I called her and almost before
I knew it, she had prepared and sent
me my very own piece. We both
laughed when we discovered
that it was another friend who
had bought the one at the
art show.
In case you're an artist, you
should know this is a non-juried show.
What that means is, it is open to all.
So, why not give it a go? You can find
all the particulars and register to enter
at the Bath County Arts Association
website at bathcountyarts.org.
There's so much to see and do in
Bath County. You may want to make
your trip last longer than a single day.
In that case, visit discoverbath.com,
to find lodging and dining and
recreational opportunities. We've
got lots to choose from.
One final note about the Bath
County Art Show: If you find a piece
of art you simply can't live without,
buy it. But, you won't be able to take
it home until the show ends at noon,
Sunday, July 25. Look at it this way:
It's a great excuse to come back to
beautiful Bath County. 
Order Margo's book, " A Party of One. "
Call 540-468-2147, Mon.-Thurs., 9-5,
or email therecorderoffice@gmail.com.
co-opliving.com
WherezIt?
Look for the CL logo, like the one here, in
the pages of each issue of Cooperative Living.
Submit the page number where you found
it along with your name, email and phone
number to WherezIt, c/o Cooperative Living,
P.O. Box 2340, Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340 or
go online at co-opliving.com under " Contests. "
Deadline is July 20. The winner will receive
a $25 Amazon email gift card.
The CL in the May issue
was hidden on page 7.
Beth McHenry of Parksley, Va.,
is our WherezIt winner.
Congratulations, Beth!
WhatzIt?
Each issue, we will publish a photo of a familiar
but unidentified object. Submit your best
guess along with your name, email and phone
number to WhatzIt?, c/o Cooperative Living,
P.O. Box 2340, Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340
or guess online at co-opliving.com under
" Contests. " Deadline is July 20. Correct
entries will be placed in a drawing for a
$25 Amazon email gift card.
DO YOU
KNOW WHAT
THIS IS?
The May WhatzIt was a crocus.
Frances Richardson of Elberon, Va.,
is our $25 email gift card winner.
Congratulations, Frances!
http://www.co-opliving.com http://www.co-opliving.com http://www.bathcountyarts.org http://www.discoverbath.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2021

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