Bower Center for the Arts is a hub for artistic and creative activities. Whether you are interested in viewing artwork in the gallery, attending events and concerts, or just taking a class that helps you explore your creative side, we have a little bit of everything for everyone.

Photo credit: John Wilcher

Update on the Outdoor Learning Center and Community Gathering Space

Des and his crew have been working tirelessly on our new Outdoor Learning Center and Gathering Space. Framing and joists have been approved by the inspector. Decking and rails have been orderd and are set to arrive this weekend. Volunteers plan to work on both Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9:00am. Anyone who would like to help is welcome to join!

When completed, this 440 sqare foot deck will serve multiple purposes: a safe place for participants in our summer youth camps, an outdoor space to work with folks in our heARTworks programming, an additional location for classes, a place to step outside for a breath of fresh air during a Bower concert or event, or simply a place for the folks in the community to relax with a cup of coffee or lunch.

We hope to complete the entire project by the end of May, with a ribbon cutting and ceremony sometime in June.

Now on Exhibit

Our galleries are full of artwork created by the high school students of Bedford County Public Schools. Stop by and see how talented these aritsts are. The reception and awards presentation for this show will be tonight, Friday, April 25 at 5:00pm. The event is open to the public, and gallery admission is always free of charge.

Up Next in the Galleries

Opening on May 6, we will host a dual exhibit in our galleries.

The Braaten Gallery will feature the works of Kaye Lipscomb in her exhibit titled "Inside/Out." Lipscomb was awarded Best in Show in our National Juried Paper Arts Exhibition in 2022.

In the Terrace Gallery, we will have the exhibit "Limited Edition." These works were completed by artists who are members of the Bower Center family. This includes studio artists, staff members, Bower Center instructors, board members, and committee members .

A reception for these exhibits will be held on Friday, June 13 at 5:00pm. It is open to the public. As always, admission to are galleries are free!

Bower Summer Camps:
Registration is now open for all five of our morning summer camps and Art Explorer afternoons!

Each summer, Bower Center for the Arts offers an array of arts-based camps for the youth in our community led by Bower teachers and artists. This year, we have 5 different morning camps based on artistic/creative themes. Camps are each a week long and run Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-1 pm. Each week-long camp is $175.

New this year, thanks to a grant from Centra and the Al Stroobants Foundation, we are offering a new afternoon opportunity, Art Explorers. These community-oriented camps include walking field trips and collaborative projects with partners such as Bedford Public Library, Bedford Parks and Recreation, and Wharton Gardens. Each week features a different community partner and unique collaborative project. Each session runs Monday through Friday from 1-4pm, and the cost is $75.

Campers can sign up for just the morning, just the afternoon, or both for a full day of Bower fun!

Limited scholarships are available. If you are interested in "sending a kid to camp" and wish to sponsor a child's camp experience, please reach out to Executive Director, Susan Martin at s.martin@bowercenter.org.

Calls for Artists

Are you a fiber artist? This may be the exhibition for you!

Last call! Final entry deadline is April 29.

Early bird registration has just opened for the 13th Annual National Juried Exhibit. The deadline for our Early Bird registration is July 12, 2025.

Classes and Workshops

Fabulous Nuno-Felt Scarves

One-Day Workshop: May 9
9am - 4pm
Instructor: Dawn Edwards

Clay Works: Adult Hand-Building and Wheel-Throwing

Tuesdays, May 27 - July 1
6pm - 8pm
Instructor: Thomas Kilian

The Clay Craft Intensive: Form, Function, and Finish

5 Day Intensive Workshop, July 14-18
6pm-8pm
Instructor: Thomas Kilian

Have the training, but are looking for the space, time, supplies, and guidance to work on sharpening your skills? Dotti and Thomas host an array of Open Studios in mosaics and clay for artists to work here at Bower Center for the Arts. Check the course schedule for available Open Studio times.