By: Annie O’Neill EDITORIAL INTERN
Twelve artists from across Montana will gather in Virginia City this weekend for the return of the Virginia City Arts Festival, a three-day celebration featuring art shows, a live “Quick Finish” session, music and food for all ages.
Once a hub for creativity during Montana’s mining era, festival organizers are making an effort to “bring the arts back to Virginia City,” festival organizer Erin Leonard said.
The festival is hosted by Virginia City Arts and runs Sept. 18-20 at the town’s Community Center. The organization is tied to the Virginia City Schoolhouse, which once housed Montana Territory’s first public school. The schoolhouse sat vacant for years before the Virginia City Schoolhouse Foundation began restoring the building, with plans to turn it into a year-round arts education center. In the meantime, organizers say the festival is part of an ongoing effort to keep building arts programming for local makers.
The weekend opens Friday with a gala from 5 to 8 p.m. The art show follows Saturday and Sunday, both from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with original work for sale alongside food, drinks and live music.
Saturday evening brings a “Quick Finish” session from 7 to 9 p.m., when artists complete pieces live before guests. Proceeds benefit Virginia City Arts.
“The Quick Finish is really exciting and incredible if you have a love for the arts,” Leonard said. “The variety and level of talent is incredible.”
Tickets and a full schedule are available at virginiacityarts.com.
