A Benefit Art Show and Silent Auction for the Farmville-Prince Edward County Community Library will be held at the library at 1303 West Third Street in Farmville from November 19 through December 17. This show, sponsored by Central Virginia Arts, is designed to raise funds for the library.

The new library, housed in a 19,000 square foot building (four times the space in the old library), is affiliated with the Central Virginia Regional Library. The building, planned for expansion, was dedicated on April 9, 2010.

When asked where the funds provided by the Silent Auction would be spent, Librarian Peggy Epperson said that there are a number of needs to help the library staff operate more efficiently. The number one priority is “acquiring equipment to establish a second check-out station.” At the present time there is only one station.

This art show is open not only to CVA artist's members but also to all artists who are interested in exhibiting their work and contributing to a good cause. There is no age restriction on the artwork. Non-artists who have artwork they own but no longer use in their home or work place are encouraged to donate their work.

Donors/artists should contact Tom Dennison, CVA Exhibits Chairman, (telephone 434-392-6804 or email tdennison@embarqmail.com) by Friday, November 12. The work should be dropped off at the library on Saturday, November 13, between 10 am and noon. The show is open for viewing between November 19 and December 17.

An opening reception for the public to meet the artists and begin the bidding will be Friday, November 19, between 6 and 8 pm. Pianists Terri and James Kidd will provide music during this reception. Throughout the show, bidders will be able to update their bids. Another reception, the Grande Finale of the Silent Auction, will be Friday, December 17, from 6 to 8 pm. Charles Kinzer and Stanley Smith will provide music during this reception. The bidding will end at 7 pm and the winning bidders will receive their art works.

Dennison suggests that area artists “go through your art and select a piece or two you are wilting to donate.” He also suggests “your donation needs to be 100%.” Each piece needs to be “framed and wired for hanging” or “stable and durable for table display.”

Award-winning artist Nancy Lockwood of Farmville is one of the many local artists who have answered the call of Ursula Burgess, president of CVA, for the area artists to donate one of their art works to the Benefit Art Show. Lockwood, who has already selected and framed the 16″x20″ painting that she will donate, challenges all artists in the area, both CVA members and independent artists, to join her in this worthwhile project. Lockwood's watercolor was inspired by the title of the fourth novel of Thomas Hardy, “Far from the Madding Crowd.”

Ursula Burgess, CVA president, invites all area artists to join Nancy and the members of CVA by donating one of their art works to the Benefit Art Show: “We need your unique art! This is a great opportunity to exhibit your artwork and donate to a good cause.” To art collectors she says, “This exhibit is a wonderful opportunity to buy great art from many well-known Virginia artists for unbelievable prices.”

CVA is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.