RAAC’s 15th Annual Fall Art Tour impresses
It was a perfect fall weekend in every way — two days of sparkling weather, colorful leaves, abundant art and visitors, and neighbors greeting neighbors in villages and artists’ studios throughout Rappahannock County.
RAAC’s Fall Art Tour committee, led by indefatigable chair Heather Wicke, transformed the recently renovated Washington School auditorium into an impressive gallery that served as a sampler for Tour goers to view art by 39 studios and galleries, including more than 2100 artists, and to plot a selfguided itinerary to their studios and galleries.
Friday night kicked off the Tour with a lively reception for 250 artists and sponsors, several of whom were overheard saying it’s the best party of the year.
“Not only is it a great celebration of the arts in Rappahannock, but we get first dibs on purchasing featured artwork!” said one couple holding a sculpture they had just purchased.
Large banners acknowledged supporters and a special poster paid tribute to Linda Dietel, one of the founders of the Art Tour 15 years ago, who died this fall.
Net proceeds from the Tour are plowed right back into the community in the form of grants from RAAC’s Claudia Mitchell Arts Fund, which to date has given over $200,000 dollars to county artists and organizations.
For the past three years, RAAC has been encouraging young artists in the community by inviting local schools to submit murals for display in the Art Tour gallery. Belle Meade’s “Open a Door to Rappahannock” graced the stage this year, while works by Rappahannock County Elementary and
High Schools and Wakefield Country Day School impressed visitors with their creativity.
Saturday morning welcomed hoards of visitors to Art Tour headquarters to buy their $10 tickets and pick up a map. Then off they went to interact with artists, learn about their techniques and see demos of them working. Sunday also saw a steady stream of Tour-goers.
Not only did artists report record visitors to their studios and galleries — as well as brisk sales — restaurants, service stations and B&Bs were also full.
Said RAAC President Matthew Black, “It seems that every fall a miracle happens as Rappahannock artists and dedicated volunteers come together to celebrate the arts, encourage tourism, and brand the county as an arts destination. What a grand way to inspire art & build community!”
By Monday evening of this week the Washington School auditorium was cleared out, art work picked up, leftovers from Friday night’s reception devoured and a tired but very satisfied group of artists and volunteers closed up shop on the 15th annual Artists of Rappahannock Fall Art Tour.
But they’ll be back again the first weekend of November in 2020 — so mark your calendars!