144  West Main Street, Marion, Virginia 24354

Appalachian Spirit Gallery, 144 W. Main Street in Marion, Virginia celebrates Caribbean Night at the Second Friday Art Walk on August 13^th from 5 until 8 pm, with Local Characters in Caricature a show by caricature artist Mark Bowman.  The sketches, based on photos taken at the July Art Walk event, depict many of our local legends. Pickin’ on the Porch, a free music acoustic concert featuring two members from No Dreads, a reggae rock band from Virginia Beach begins at five-thirty. Listeners are urged to bring bag chairs or blankets for lawn seating and dress Island style for our urban mountain beach party.

No Dreads is a five piece reggae-rock band that has played venues along the Coast from North Carolina to the beaches of the Jersey shore. They play a wide range of styles and songs, with both covers and originals. Members playing today are Jason Sukle, a Marion native, on bass and Miles Mulkey on rhythm guitar and vocals. Jason Sukle, who studied bass at The Bass Collective in New York City, also has a degree in music production and recording. No Dreads performed in and won the 2009 Battle of the Genres in Virginia Beach taking down 33 other local bands.

Recent work by other gallery artists will also be on display as the gallery welcomes new member Marcy Sayers. The gallery’s exhibit of local talent includes: Ned Johnson, CiCi Brown Vesce, Duane Cregger, William Fields, Avery Cornett, Tracy Thompson, Sylvia Richardson, David Fields, Marilynn Peacock, Terry Hayden, Holly Thomas, and Suzan Sukle.  Paintings range from traditional to impressionist, landscapes to landmarks, oils, acrylics, digital giclée and mixed media. Other work includes jewelry design, fabric art, photography, stained glass, fused glass jewels, mosaics, and “green” handicrafts.  

Appalachian Spirit Artists Association is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization composed of artisans who share jobs to fulfill the group’s mission to celebrate the arts, traditions, lore, and spirit of the Appalachian Mountains and showcase the work of local talent.   Gallery hours run Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. ; other times by appointment or whim. 

 2^nd Fridays “Alive after Five” Art Walk runs from one end of downtown Marion to the other—art, crafts, music, jewelry, special events, exhibits, and more.  The Art Walk begins at Appalachian Spirit Gallery and meanders throughout shops and restaurants to end at the Black Rooster Gallery in the General Francis Marion Hotel.  Art Walk map and entertainment guide is available at downtown businesses and on the web at www.appalachianspiritgallery.com/artwalk.