UVA Wise Celebrates the Haunted Arts in October

No matter the level of scary you desire you’ll find the perfect haunted event all month long this October showcasing the talents of University of Virginia’s College at Wise students.

The spookiest month of the year is packed with a 5K run and 1-mile walk, two art exhibitions, a haunted attraction, a theater production, and three concerts all hosted by UVA Wise Department of Visual & Performing Arts. The events are open to the public.

“We hope the events will generate awareness for the arts as well as support for its arts students and programs,” said Jessica Necessary UVA Wise Visual & Performing Arts Curriculum Assistant and Office Manager, “Art, music, and theater not only nurture souls and provide entertainment, but also provoke innovation, creativity, and empathy among many other benefits.”

Creativity, innovation, and empathy are necessities for society’s survival and are just a few of the skills provided by a good liberal arts education that are highly sought out by major employers everywhere, said Necessary.

“The department continually raises awareness of the value of arts within our community and welcomes support of the arts on campus and for the surrounding community,” said Necessary.

UVA Wise Guide to Start the Spooky Season:

Fifth Annual Forbidden Fairground
Kicks off September 30

The ever-popular UVA Wise’s haunted attraction, Forbidden Fairgrounds, will open at the Wise County Fairgrounds on Fri., Sept. 30 and run Fridays and Saturdays in October and throughout Halloween weekend.

UVA Wise students alongside community members conjure up the ghostly and scary imaginings of the Forbidden Fairgrounds.

“Toxic Terror” is this year’s theme, telling the tale of “strange happenings in and around Wise County from infections by toxic waste being dumped deep into our coalmines by nefarious forces.”

Spooky horrors as well as family-friendly haunts will be available. The Box Office opens at 7:30 p.m. each night, and the entry fee is $15. Please check the Forbidden Fairgrounds Facebook page for current operating times and schedule.

Oct. 1, Run for the Arts- 5K and 1-mile Fun Walk

The second annual on-campus Run for the Arts 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. The event celebrates visual and performing arts and directly supports the Department of Visual & Performing Arts curriculum and programming. The 5K and 1-Mile Walk courses are separate and showcase UVA Wise’s scenic campus.

“Our imaginations are influenced by the mind, body, and spirit. By keeping active, our bodies release endorphins that influence our emotional state and in turn inspire the imagination. When we use our imaginations, we open up an unlimited realm of possibilities, which can be seen heavily in the arts,” said Necessary, organizer of Run. “It only makes sense to combine our support of the arts with an athletic event like this.”

The registration fee for participation in the 5K is $25 per person ($20 for pre-registration or with the presentation of student ID), and the registration fee to participate in the 1-Mile Fun Walk is $12.

The 5K and 1-Mile Walk check-in and final registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. the day of the race outside Gilliam Center for the Arts, located next to the lake. The 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk will begin at 9 a.m.

Awards will be presented to the overall male and overall female 5K winners, as well as to the top-three finishers in each 5K age division. All ages are encouraged to participate.

Ben Mays, Department Chair and Theater Faculty, will emcee the event, providing an array of music and upcoming event information for participants and those cheering on friends and family.

October 1-October 21, UVA Wise Community Art Show

The art exhibition will feature the works of five Wise County residents:  Shawn Wallace, Jenny Salyers, Lisa Davis, Ray Moore, and Carol Moore.

The show held at Gallery 121 in Gilliam Center for the Arts will be open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Oct. 1 through Oct. 21.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, an artists’ talk and reception will be held at 6 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Patrons will be able to speak to the artists in person about their artwork and learn the finer details about the creations.

For a full listing of October events, visit the UVA Wise Campus Calendar at www.uvawise.edu/events/campus. For more information on events or to register for Run for the Arts, visit www.uvawise.edu/arts-5k or contact Jessica Necessary at (276) 328-0256 or jjn5y@uvawise.edu.