BRAA • history

	History
	1949: In the fall, a group of artists on the V.P.I. staff began talking about forming a small art group for the critical discussion of their own work. On January 13, 1950, a community art club was formed for those "interested in increasing the opportunities for enjoyment of the arts in Blacksburg." Among the founders were Dean Carter, Lucy Lee Lancaster, and John Laurent. 1950: The association's first exhibit was a showing of the paintings of Horace Day in February, 1950. Its first show after formal organization was a two-person exhibition held May 7 and 8, 1950, of sculpture by Dean Carter and paintings by John Laurent. An exhibit of VPI student art work was shown May 27-28, the same year. 1952: 'Regional' was added to our name in "1952 when the decision was made to become a chapter of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. By that time the membership had grown and now individuals from nearby towns and counties had joined and were attending meetings." (From Lucy Lee Lancaster's 1970 history - bottom-right) 1953: The VMFA Artmobile program was founded. The Association underwrote and staffed numerous yearly visits to Blacksburg through the program's close in 1994. 1955: The first annual Blacksburg Art Festival was held including an exhibition, a Dutch art auction, concerts, art movies, a Punch and Judy show, lectures and demonstrations.
	1960 Logo designer unknown	1960's Membership Card designer unknown
	1966: The BRAA becomes one of 32 original "Affiliates" of The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 1975: First BRAA art exhibit in a Blacksburg business at the then First National Exchange Bank, now Wachovia Securities. This V.M.F.A. exhibit of works by the Japanese artist Hiroshige was organized by Phyllis Albritton , a bank employee, assisted by the BRAA's Mr.and Mrs. John Murray, Rhoda and Derek Myers.
	1978 Logo designer unknown
	1991: "New River Art" Juried Exhibition was formed by the BRAA in cooperation with the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley. We continue to sponsor the show, which is held every two years. NRA'91 Top Award: enlarge
	1993: "New River Art" Juried Exhibition continued at the Perspective Art Gallery on the Virginia Tech campus, Blacksburg, Virginia. The Juror, Julyen Norman, Executive Director of the 1708 East Main Street Gallery, Richmond, Virginia, selected 43 hanging works and 2 sculptures. NRA'93 Top Award: enlarge
	1995: First web page view functioning page NRA'95 Top Award: enlarge 1996: Community exhibitions (now Galleries) initiated. NRA'97 Top Award: enlarge 1998: IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status became effective. 1999: Temporary shared housing in the Old Town Hall, 141 Jackson Street, was granted by the Blacksburg Town Council, beginning in 2000. NRA'99 Top Award: enlarge
	2000 - Web Site & New Logo enlarge
	2000: Website moved to BlacksburgElectronicVillage.net. Fiftieth Anniversary: Our Best of the Century exhibition.
	2000 Anniversary Logo - L Bloom
	2001: Open Studio established. NRA'01 Best in Show: enlarge 2002: Reclassified as a "Community Partner" by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. "Because Blacksburg was one of the original 32 Affiliates of the Museum, you get first choice on the programs for the coming year before our other, newer partners." Jeffrey Allison, VMFA Coordinator - Statewide Programs. 5/17/02 2002: Website was frames-based, with many pages: enlarge 2002: Old Town Hall entry demolished by a car! Building Repurposed after repairs. BRAA file cabinet (and records) are lost. November 2003: Art Center Project Formalized. NRA'03 Best in Show: enlarge August 2004: Members-ONLY Demos established. 2005 - Eighth Biennial NRA Exhibition, 55th BRAA Anniversary, 10th Web Site Anniversary, 14 Exhibition Galleries in nine community locations. NRA'05 Best in Show: enlarge June, 2005: "exhibition venues" renamed "Galleries." NRA'07 Best in Show: enlarge