such a great little stop while camping in the area on a rainy afternoon. This center is home to…read more250+ consignment artists and offers classes! They have a gallery open to the public and display a wide variety of crafts and art mediums.

Don't miss this hidden gem! I highly recommend a stop at this regional arts and crafts shop and…read moreclass center in Clifton Forge, VA. They represent more than 260 artists from all over the Alleghany Highlands area (Southwest Virginia and parts of West Virginia). The friendly, volunteer staff were helpful and excited to share information about the handmade treasures found here. I was surprised by the variety of artwork and I want to highlight a few types that I loved: painting (realism, abstract, impressionistic, expressionistic, etc.) wood working (turned wood, live edge, sculpture, table ware, and decorative), jewelry making (custom designs in both traditional and modern versions), crafting (quilts, basket weaving, sewing, etc.), and photography (black and white, artistic, realistic styles and subjects such as nature, landscapes and local sites such as the Washington and Lee campus). Also, for the first time, I saw fly fishing lures displayed along with other crafts. Perfect, and well-deserved! I found this store after glimpsing the main sign on route 64. After you get off the exit (24 I believe), just follow signs into old town (historic) Clifton Forge and continue to Ridgeway Street. Note: this non-profit center appears to be located in a former retail space, so it is not a stand alone building, it is located in a row of shops (near Cafe Museo). Look for the Cafe Museo sign which is easy to spot. There is plenty of street parking. This place is a real treat and I wish I had more time to take one of their classes, add the walking tour of old town, and stop at one of the lunch spots nearby. I visited after a morning hike at Douthat State Park, but this shop is also easily accessible to visitors from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Goshen, Warm Springs, Lexington, Covington, or anyone passing through to Beckley or the the New River Gorge National Park or Gauley River National Recreation Area. Before the next holiday or family celebration, consider a thoughtful, handmade gift from this unique shop and support local artists in the area.

The City of Roanoke is rich in the Arts. Today I decided to go visit this very unique Art Gallery…read morein that it's a Coop Gallery. The members get to exhibit their artwork there, and when it's sold, get to keep higher percentage of the sale than if they sold it through a regular Gallery. If you're an Art buyer or collector, you also win because you don't have to deal with a middleman and so the prices of the artworks are more reasonable. This Gallery is located on Campbell Ave, in front of the Center in the Square, in one of the most desired storefront areas in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. It has a reasonable size long space where different Art medium are exhibited such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, and some creative mediums, just to name a few. I had an opportunity to meet with some of the artists who are members and have their work exhibited there and they were so friendly and welcoming, talking to me about the Gallery and answering all my questions. I love art. Took several electives in Art History while in College. My most prestigious painting that I have ever had was an oil painting by Mary K. Trotter, an American artist who studied in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts before moving to Paris. I bought it at an Art Gallery in Beacon Hill, Boston, and even had to put it in lay away to be able to afford it. This Gallery is the perfect place for those who love art to purchase their first artwork to exhibit in the living room of their home, or maybe even to begin their own Art collection. If you're an artist, either full time, or part-time, you can consider joining this Coop Gallery and selling some of your art. Whatever you do, I would highly recommend that you visit this Gallery and view the wonderful artworks exhibited there.

Absolutely love this gallery. Such a variety of art and artists. must go and visit !!read more

This gallery is the exact representation of the catagory. Cream of the crop comes to mind. Great…read moreflow within the space, only a few artists displayed at a time...with several of their works well positioned and perfectly lit. The quiet reverence for 'true art' is overwhelming as the gallery manager stands quietly 'at your service' but not 'in your face'. The experience of slowly walking through this true gallery is so refreshing and a great place to find your center and open your eyes.

From the owner: Fine Art, paintings, sculpture, photography, internationally knownread more

The Little Gallery is located in the corner of Market St and Kirk Ave, in the heart of Downtown…read moreRoanoke. It is a fine arts gallery and boutique that always is on the lookout for the finest quality and selection of original paintings, sculptures, art glass, jewelry, and specialty gifts by local and regional artists. Since I moved to Roanoke, I have always been very impressed by the quality of works they carry. The gallery has two large well lit display windows up front and is located in a prime location downtown. People going to or coming from restaurants in the area or other places like the Mill Mountain Theatre oftentimes pass by it on the way to their destination and are amazed by the artworks they see in the windows, just like I am. When I went to visit the gallery this Wednesday afternoon, a very friendly and knowledgeable lady greeted and welcomed me and explained to me the story of how they were able to get this key location to move their gallery to. I told her how important art has always been in my life and in the lives of many in our community. This is an ideal place for local and regional artists to introduce their artwork. They can do so by making an appointment to introduce themselves to the Art Gallery Manager and showing their portfolio and some of their artworks. It is also a wonderful place for members of our community and visitors passing y to acquire beautiful artworks to decorate their homes or to expand their art collection. I remember the joy it gave me when, while living in Boston, I visited an Art Gallery and acquired my most valuable painting by the American Artist who also lived in Paris, Mary K. Trotter. I highly recommend this Gallery to all living in or visiting Roanoke. Stop by and view the artwork they have at the moment. Enjoy doing so and who knows, you might find that special piece of art that you can take home with you and that will bring you joy throughout the years as well as all those who visit and admire it.

Extraordinary art and textiles/jewelry! The LOCAL artists are wonderfully talented and creative!…read more The prices are within my budget, too! The lamps I've only seen in Alexandria, so seeing them in downtown Roanoke is such a pleasure! Owners have such panache and are so genuinely happy to see us! A must to enrich the beauty of your dwelling or your business! Do go!

This eclectic, lovely bistro has recently opened in Bedford. With it's clean white and black…read morefurnishings and art displayed from their accompanying gallery, it's a comfortable, chic spot in the heart of town in the shadow of the courthouse. I enjoyed an appetizer of Mushroom Wontons, Peanut Slaw, and Hot Pepper Ponzu. The wontons were paper-thin, made in-house by Chef Nora. A well-balanced bite to start the meal. For my main course I selected Parmesan Pork Schnitzel, Baby Greens, Mustard Spaetzle with a grilled lemon. Chef Thomas provided wonderfully thin pork cutlets. The very fine, super crisp parmesan breading provided a perfect crunch to offset the tender pork. The Mustard Spaetzle was tender and flavorful, though I would have appreciated a more generous portion to go along with the pork serving. Service was quick, and the wait staff was attentive and pleasant. With an ever-rotating menu, I look forward to returning often to see what the kitchen staff has created for me. They are currently operating in a soft-opening, so be prepared for the occassional hiccup as they catch their bearings and move into an established routine. I did not experience any issues during this visit, though.

My husband and I stopped in the Electric Co yesterday. It was very spur of the moment but I wanted…read moreto show him the handmade leather man bags in the lower market area. Every little vignette held a treasure that I would love to take home with me. Handmade jewelry, metal works, also pottery and antiques. We hadn't had lunch so we decided to try the Bistro on the upper level where the art gallery is located. When we walked in I was overwhelmed by the thought and care that it had taken to create this beautiful space. I immediately thought of friends I'd like to bring here. You can grab a glass of wine or beer and wander through the gallery or sit and have a meal. We sat at the bar and ordered the delicious Wonton appetizer and then I had the Shrimp and Grits cake entree. My husband had the Turkey Ruben. The food matched the atmosphere of the restaurant. Delicious!! This will be my go to when I want to entertain guests or just have a relaxing evening or afternoon. I also think it would be a wonderful spot to host a party.

I had a hard time getting to this place, my GPS took me down a rabbit hole, but eventually I got…read morethere. And it was worth it, I ordered a cup of delicious coffee and 4 scones the best I ever had! Highly recommend it, great atmosphere and gallery! Very clean and great service!

Wonderful art displayed beautifully. Delicious high quality food in lovely Warm Springs VA!read more

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection." Michelangelo…read more I've always appreciated art and the importance that it plays in people's lives. The Sidewalk Art Show takes place annually on the streets surrounding the Taubman Museum of Art in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Virginia. It is hosted by the Taubman museum itself, whose mission is to bring people and art together for discovery, learning, and enjoyment. The Sidewalk Art Show is one of Virginia's most oldest and anticipated outdoor art shows. It is held annually usually on a Saturday and Sunday around the end of the month of May. This year 2025 was the 67th year it takes place. It was held on Saturday and Sunday, May 31st and June 1st from 10am - 5pm. The exhibition from mostly regional artists included original paintings, prints, jewelry, watercolors, etchings, mixed media, fine art photographs, fine crafts, and sculpture. It is always free and open to the public, and a premier destination for art aficionados and ideal for fine art shopping. Over a period of two days it is estimated that the show will have 10,000 attendees. It is also an annual fundraiser to help raise funds for the Taubman Museum of Art programing to the community. The Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show also offers a variety of awards to participating artists, including cash prizes and merit awards, to recognize the best artwork. The show also features awards specifically recognizing the achievements of artists in particular media and through memorial awards. The most coveted award being The Best in Show Award with a cash prize of $1,200 plus the use of the image for the following year. After some years now of living in Roanoke, Virginia and being fascinated by driving by the art show, and seeing all the white tents lined up along Salem Ave, and crowds of people walking by, enthusiastically viewing and enjoying, and some evening purchasing some of their most valued, precious artworks from the show, I finally decided to schedule some time out of my busy schedule to attend the show and experience for myself one of the Star City's most prestigious and beloved yearly events. Being my first time attending this event, I would describe it in one sentence as: The experience of a lifetime! I invite the readers of this review to view my photographs and video clip from the event and see for yourselves first-hand what's it all about. Oftentimes when we visit art galleries or museums we get to see beautiful original artworks by famous and up-and-coming artists, but rarely do we get to meet the artists themselves and interact with them, asking them questions about their early beginnings, their creative process, the figment of their imagination. Here I was able to do so and discover very interesting personalities behind the artworks themselves. And I was fascinated with what I found. Very loving individuals who bring out their souls through the expression in their artworks. Creativity gives all a meaning in life. And for many artists the process of creativity is the process of living, of discovering themselves and the best that they can create and thus be. I highly recommend all those reading this review to attend one of the future Sidewalk Art Shows in Roanoke, Virginia, and to visit the Taubman Museum of Art while you're here. I can assure you you'll have the experience of a lifetime.