Description

Lucille Hoback Boggess Outdoor Learning Center and Community Gathering Space

A New Space to Gather, Create and Reflect

We are delighted to announce the completion of a very special project at Bower Center for the Arts: the Lucille Hoback Boggess Outdoor Learning Center and Community Gathering Space. This beautiful, 440-square-foot deck now sits just outside the Center, offering a new place for creativity, education, reflection, and connection.

The idea was sparked by Bower Center Executive Director, Susan Martin, who envisioned an outdoor environment that could expand how we engage with the arts. After working with Grant Writer, Charlotte Farley, Bower Center secured grants from Norfolk Southern and the Weyerhaeuser Foundation to support the overall project. Board member Des Black took the lead, designing and overseeing construction with the help of over 17 volunteers and a few generous passersby who saw the work and stepped in to lend a hand. Over the course of 28 working days and 246 total hours, the team brought this idea to life. On time, under budget, and full of community spirit.

This deck isn't just a physical structure; it's an extension of our mission. Outdoor learning experiences open new doors for creativity. Whether it's drawing inspiration from nature, experimenting with new materials, or simply gathering to share ideas, this is a place to reconnect with the world, others, and us. It will serve as a space for our heARTworks programs, summer camps, youth and adult art classes, and as a welcoming space for community events, casual meetups, and creative exploration. It will also be the new location of our Free Little Art Gallery and Library, providing a perfect perch for creating on the spot.

We are proud to name this space in honor of Lucille Hoback Boggess, a deeply respected Bedford County leader, philanthropist, and advocate. With service to Bedford that began in 1948, Lucille made history in 1967 as the first woman elected to office in Bedford County, becoming the Commissioner of the Revenue, and later serving as the County’s first woman elected to the Board of Supervisors. Known for her wisdom, humility, and leadership, Lucille also played a pivotal role in bringing the National D-Day Memorial to Bedford, believing wholeheartedly that our community’s sacrifices should be forever remembered. Her long and accomplished life has been rooted in service and a fierce love for Bedford, especially when it came to lifting up women and opening doors for future generations.

Thanks to her family’s generous sponsorship, Lucille’s name now graces this space, a living, breathing testament to her enduring impact. As her son John Boggess shared, Lucille is honored to lend her name to a place dedicated to learning, art, and community—and she's quite happy to now have “a perfect perch to keep an eye on the Courthouse.”

We invite you to join us for the official Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, June 28 at 11 AM. We'll celebrate with light refreshments, and you’ll have a chance to explore the new space, meet some of the volunteers, and hear a few words from those who made it possible. Unfortunately, due to mobility issues, Lucille will not be present at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, but her family will be there on her behalf.

This deck was built with purpose, passion, and a whole lot of heart. We can’t wait to see what memories and moments they will hold in the years to come.  If you are interested in supporting the continuation and expansion of this project, or by supporting the overall operations of Bower Center for the Arts, you can contribute in person or online.