About Us
William King Regional Arts Center is the only facility of its kind serving far Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Located in an historic 1913 building - a fully renovated former school - the Arts Center features museum-standard galleries showcasing art of the region and of the world. From the region's most compelling contemporary works to its historical decorative arts to art of the world - often that of non-Western cultures - you'll find it here.
Classes in the visual and performing arts are offered year-round for both children and adults, and school programs are available both on-site and directly in the schools through our outreach program.
The Center also features resident artist studios, an outdoor sculpture garden and museum store, and an historic house museum.
The Arts Center is a Partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and a member of the American Association of Museums, the Virginia Association of Museums and the Southeastern Museums Conference.
Tours
Group Tours: Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more at no charge, but must be scheduled in advance. Contact the Arts Center at 276-628-5005.
Self-Guided Tours: To assist visitors as they tour the museum, printed exhibition guides are located in or near each gallery. Unless otherwise indicated, these materials are free of charge and we invite you to take them home as a memento of your visit - or to share with others who might also like to see the show!
Programs
Exhibitions: An average of 10 exhibitions are mounted each year, showcasing art of the region and of the world. Related programming includes lectures, workshops, receptions and symposia. Most events are offered free of charge.
Arts Education: Classes in the visual and performing arts are offered year-round for both children and adults, and summer art camps are offered each year for ages 4 and up. From basic instruction in drawing, photography, clay or watercolor to more advanced explorations in a variety of media, Arts Center classes are available for a variety of interests and skill levels. Contact the Education Department for a current schedule.
For school audiences, programs are also available both on-site at the Abingdon museum and directly in the schools through our outreach program. Contact the Education Department to inquire about bookings.
The Cultural Heritage Project seeks to document the cultural and artistic legacy of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee from 1780 to 1940, and to foster a full and accurate appreciation of the region's role in American decorative and folk arts. To date, field researchers have identified more than 2,000 objects made by hand in the region, and eight exhibitions have been mounted from that research. Documentation is ongoing. For more information, contact the Arts Center at 276-628-5005 or info@wkrac.org.
Membership: Memberships are available at a variety of levels, from Starving Artist to William King Society. Membership benefits include Arts Center mailings, invitations to members-only events (including Prevue Receptions for new exhibitions), and discounts on class tuitions and museum store purchases. For more information, or to request a membership brochure, contact the Arts Center at info@wkrac.org.
Volunteers: Volunteer opportunities are available in all areas, both at the Arts Center and at the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum. From information desk to museum store, exhibition gallery to student classroom - our "unpaid staff" assist in all areas. To learn more, or to schedule an orientation tour, contact us at info@wkrac.org.
Resident Studio Artists
The Center's resident studio artist program is open to visual artists working in all media. While taking advantage of large, well-lit studios, resident artists provide opportunities for school and public audiences to observe art in process.
Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Weather permitting, view our permanent collection of outdoor sculpture on the museum grounds. Additionally, several pieces are still on view from the Center's most recent outdoor sculpture competition, held biennially, and two other works are here on extended loan. An outdoor sculpture guide is available in the publication display mounts at both the front and back entrances.
Museum Store
The Looking Glass is open during regular Arts Center hours, offering a variety of art and exhibition-related merchandise. Inventory generally includes museum cards and books, jewelry, stained glass, art posters, and a wide selection of children's gift items. The museum's Heritage Products, a new line of reproduction pieces handcrafted by artisans throughout the region, are also available in the museum store. All proceeds above costs benefit Arts Center programs. Members qualify for store discounts.
Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum
Also visit our second site, the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum, located at the corner of Main and
Cummings streets in Abingdon's downtown historic district.
Follow this link to learn more about the Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum.
© 2010 William King Museum