BCAA & The BEAR
Events
Current Exhibit
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Current Exhibit •
A Second Look, 2026
Right now at The BEAR, you can experience a special exhibit featuring select pieces from the 2026 Bath County Art Show. If you missed the show or just want another chance to soak in this year's incredible artwork, this is your opportunity. The exhibit also includes a heartfelt dedication section honoring Perlista Henry, celebrating her contributions to our arts community. Stop by and see these wonderful works in person, we would love to have you visit.
Workshop | “From Spaghetti Westerns to Cell Phones” - Photography Workshop with Danny Cardwell
Participants should bring their smartphones!
FREE – Registration is appreciated
Speaker Series | “Neither Are Crows”: A Poetry Reading by Terry Rae Hall
A Poetry Reading by Terry Rae Hall
$10 | Includes light refreshments
Collaboration | Moving Mountains Dance Classes at The BEAR
Moving Mountains Dance Classes are coming to the BEAR in September.
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 9/10
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Living Arts Gathering Events - MYTHIC EXPLORATION AND THE EMBODIED STORY
These workshops are designed to build on one another, with the themes and discoveries of Mythic Exploration informing the afternoon's Embodied Story experience. Participants are welcome to attend both workshops or choose the one that speaks most to them.
BEAR Country Store | September
Artisan Vendors, hands-on crafts, and Pickin' At The BEAR
A Saturday for the whole family
FREE Entrance
Community Event | Pickin' at The BEAR September
An open genre acoustic jam for musicians and singers of any level!
FREE
Workshop | "Word, Image, Sound: the Pieces that Make a Poem" with Terry Rae Hall
In this workshop, participants will use the ingredients of word, image, and sound to create three poems. Please bring (or have access to electronically) a photograph with you in it.
FREE
Collaboration | Moving Mountains Dance Classes at The BEAR 9/15
Moving Mountains Dance Classes are coming to the BEAR in September.
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 9/17
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Community Event | Football Spirit Crafts at The BEAR
Come enjoy a lovely afternoon creating football spirit Crafts
FREE | Limited Sitting
Collaboration | Moving Mountains Dance Classes at The BEAR 9/22
Moving Mountains Dance Classes are coming to the BEAR in September.
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 9/24
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Workshop | Making Traditional Hex Signs
In this hands-on, all-ages workshop, you'll learn the history behind hex signs and create your own to take home.
Lord of the Rings Reading Group | The Fellowship of the Ring
Calling all Tolkien fans!
September: The Fellowship of the Ring
FREE - Register Now
Workshop | Poetry Slam Workshop with Noelle Corley
Join us for this workshop instructed by Noelle Corley
FREE
Lord of the Rings Reading Group | The Two Towers
Calling all Tolkien fans!
October: The Two Towers
FREE - Register Now
Lord of the Rings Reading Group | Return of The King
Calling all Tolkien fans!
Return of The King
FREE - Register Now
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 9/3
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Lord of the Rings Reading Group
Calling all Tolkien fans! Our Lord of the Rings Reading Group kicks off Tuesday, September 1st
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 8/30
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 8/27
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Community Event | Gallery Game Night: Mah Jong, Chess, Backgammon, Puzzles, Yahtzee, Cards - Free
Come enjoy a lovely evening at the BEAR Gallery and your favorite classic games.
Mah Jong, Chess, Backgammon, Puzzles, Yahtzee, and Cards
FREE | Limited Sitting | Cash Bar
Workshop | Mahjong for Beginners 8/26
Learn how to play Mahjong!
$30 per person (includes all materials)
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 8/23
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Workshop | Sip n’ Paint at The BEAR with Abigail Dufour
Sip, paint, and let your creativity flow with Abigail Dufour
$45 per ticket | Includes all materials and one drink
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 8/20
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR 8/16
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Performance | An evening of Celtic folk music with Kinnfolk
An evening of Celtic folk music with the husband-and-wife duo of Josh and Julie Kinn
$10 per person (includes light refreshments)
Regular Programming | Yoga at The BEAR
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
Workshop | Canning 101 with Laura Macklem of Num Num Farms
An introduction to the essential skill of water canning!
$50 per person (includes all materials)
Workshop | Mahjong for Beginners 7/22
Learn how to play Mahjong!
$30 per person (includes all materials)
Community Event | Pickin' at The BEAR July
An open genre acoustic jam for musicians and singers of any level!
FREE
BEAR Country Store | July
Artisan Vendors, hands-on crafts, and Pickin' At The BEAR
A Saturday for the whole family
FREE Entrance
Workshop | Living Arts Gathering
SING, MOVE, PLAY!
Resonating from the Inside Out
An Exploration of Voice, Movement, and Presence with Annalisa Tornfelt and Cornelia Hodges
$30 | Limited to 15 participants
Workshop | Mah Jong for Beginners
Learn how to play Mahjong!
$30 per person (includes all materials)
Exhibit | Celebrating the 250th Through Quilts
NEW EXHIBIT – Join us for the final installment of our exhibition "Quilts of Bath County" just in time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Missoula Children’s Theatre 2026
BCAA is pleased to bring a Missoula Children’s Theatre residency to Bath County.
Missoula Children’s Theatre presents Beauty Lou and the Country Beast, an original country western adaptation of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.
Workshop | DIY: Decorate Your Own Apron!
Decorate your own apron for summer cook-outs!
$20 per person (includes all materials)
Workshop | Hayfever Square Dance with Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe & Mudhole Control
Hayfever Square Dance with Ellen at The BEAR
FREE - fun for the whole family
Community Event | Pickin' at The BEAR
An open genre acoustic jam for musicians and singers of any level!
FREE
BEAR Country Store | June
Artisan Vendors, hands-on crafts, and Pickin' At The BEAR
A Saturday for the whole family
FREE Entrance
Want all our events in one place? Subscribe to The BEAR calendar and stay connected.
Art doesn't have to be lonely! Bring your own supplies and projects and create with others.
FREE
Open Studio will return — upcoming dates to be shared soon.
OPEN STUDIO TIME
Regular Programming
At The BEAR, we keep things simple: regular programs that bring people together to make, move, and enjoy.
There’s always something happening here. Take a look at what we offer and jump in whenever it works for you.
FAMILY HOUR | Story and Craft Time
Join us every Saturday at 11:30 AM for free story time and crafts. Each week features a new story and hands-on activity for families to enjoy together.
FREE
YOGA AT THE BEAR
An all-levels class focused on general body wellness.
Strengthen and stretch in a breath-based flow. Beginners welcome!
$15 / 1 Class · $60 / 5 Classes
Thursdays 6-7pm | Sundays 4-5pm
BEAR COUNTRY STORE
Every second Saturday of the month
11AM–5PM
The BEAR Country Store is a community favorite! Each month features different local vendors, crafts, family-friendly activities, Pickin' at The BEAR (3–5PM), story time, board games, and plenty of fun for all ages.
Stop in, shop small, and spend the day with us.
FREE ENTRY
Do you make original art, crafts, or handmade goods?
We’d love to have you join us for our monthly BEAR Country Store at The BEAR!
It’s a wonderful opportunity to share your work, connect with the community, and be part of a fun, welcoming day. We’d love to hear from you!
If you're having trouble signing up for a ticket, we may be sold out.
Please fill out this form to be added to our waitlist.
What’s Happening in Bath County
This shared community calendar, provided by Visit Bath, highlights events happening throughout Bath County.
Explore what’s coming up across the region—including arts, culture, and events we’re proud to be part of.
Celebrating Art in Our Community
Bath County is alive with creativity, and BCAA is proud to support and promote the many arts events happening throughout our community. Whether at fairs, immersive experiences, or gallery events, art is happening for everyone to enjoy.
Explore the vibrant arts scene we’re helping bring to life!
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Public Hearing - Hot Springs Historical District with Preservation Bath
August 17th | 5-7pm
Join this open hearing at The BEAR
2833 Main Street Hot Springs, VA -
Lavender Watercolor & Lunch with Molly ReederLavender Watercolor & Lunch with Molly Reeder
5/30 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The workshop will involve learning the basics around watercolor while using fresh lavender for our muses/subjects. No experience is needed, you will learn how to get started with a watercolor and create paintings using wet on dry techniques.
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Annual Lavender Festival
6/6 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join Moseymore Lavender Farm on Saturday June 6 for a fun family day on the farm. They will have a multitude of vendors selling their crafts, food and music. It will be a great day to celebrate lavender and embrace nature.
Please leave all pets at home.
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Missoula Children’s Theatre
Beauty Lou and the
Country BeastJune 15-20, 2026 | Bath County High School Auditorium
BCAA is pleased to bring a Missoula Children’s Theatre residency to Bath County.
An audition will be held for the Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) production of Beauty Lou and the Country Beast June 15, 2026 from 10 am - noon. Those auditioning should arrive at 9:50 am and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition.
Fill out the form below to pre-register. Same-day signups are welcome.
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Making Mosaics at the Red House
6/6 - 6/7 | 2:00 - 5:00 PM
There’s only one thing you are required to do on Saturday—PLAY!
There is no right or wrong to mosaics, no parameters you have to satisfy, just use your imagination and play. See you Saturday!
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VMFA Talk – Edward Beyer and the Jeffersonian Landscape
6/7 | 3:00 PM
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Sixth Annual CRPA Artist Retreat at Fort Lewis
MAY 3 – 7, 2026 | Fort Lewis Lodge and Farms
Dear BCAA members and artists,
Please join us for the spring Cowpasture River Preservation Association Artists Retreat to be held Sunday, May 3 to Thursday, May 7 at Fort Lewis Lodge and Farms.
Application Deadline is February 16. -
The 24th Annual Bath Bluegrass Jamboree
Saturday, April 11 | Bath County High School Auditorium
Allegheny Mountain Radio presents the 24th Annual Bath Bluegrass Jamboree. The event will feature headliner Nothin’ Fancy, a nationally recognized bluegrass band, with support from Wound Tight, a Southwest Virginia group playing traditional and original bluegrass, and Franklin Station, a five-piece band blending classic bluegrass, gospel, and country.
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The Red House Residency
The Red House Residency offers emerging and established women artists a two-week solo retreat in remote Bath County, Virginia. Hosted by Amanda McGuire and Bill Reagan at Sycamore Bend farm, this residency provides a quiet space for reflection, focus, and artistic practice.
In exchange for lodging, participating artists are asked to host one small public event, such as a workshop, reading, or performance, within the local community.
For the summer of 2026, three residency sessions are available:
- RHR 1: Friday, May 22nd – Friday, June 6th
- RHR 2: Monday, August 31st – Monday, September 14th
- RHR 3: Tuesday, September 15th – Tuesday, September 29th
Please visit Red House Residency on Facebook, or email rhresidency2021@gmail.com with questions. Application is also available under Red House Residency tab on sycamorebendontheriver.com
Intentions to apply welcomed until February 28th.