Winner of a 2025 Public Media Award for Visual Arts
and a 2025 Virginia Association of Broadcasters Award for Best Human Interest Series
Artistic Encounters -Meet the Artist essentially takes the artist from behind the camera and welcomes them into the Blue Ridge PBS studio. This provides our arts loving audience the opportunity to meet the featured artist while they introduce their works one on one. Specially curated pieces from their collection will be on display during the reception and for several weeks afterwards with many available to take home by making a donation to Blue Ridge PBS. Additionally, each artist will donate one piece to Blue Ridge PBS which will then be auctioned the night of the artist’s reception. Proceeds benefit the artist and Blue Ridge PBS so it may continue its mission of enriching people’s lives by providing educational, informational, and cultural programming that fills a unique role as a positive and lifelong resource for the communities we serve.
Our Next Featured Artist: Crystal Wolfe
“I’ll prove you wrong, take my drawing class.” Those words were spoken to me in 2000 when I told the artist who would change my life, Antonija Gros, that I could barely draw a stick man. From that first encounter, when I said ok I hope you prove me wrong, and the first class, I’ve continued creating by studying, drawing, painting—doing the work. My artistic dreams never end—they morph into transformations and illuminations for many subjects and techniques, and for myself as an artist.
Pencil magic! Pencils have been my passion for 20+ years. As my style is realism, pencils allow the attention to the tiniest details and light and dark values that I so enjoy creating. The very careful layering and blending applications are magical—whether colored, graphite, or pastel pencils—as my dreams merge into reality.
I currently live in Virginia with my husband, Tim Fulton. My careers include artist and roles in communications, marketing, graphic design, and publishing production (all primarily in the United States). My love of pencils began when I studied extensively with internationally acclaimed color pencil artists starting with portrait artist and author, Ann Kullberg. Pencil magic allows me to live with copious amounts of joy, fun, laughter, and creativity, and my art is my diary made public!
Reception:
Thursday, March 26 from 4 – 6 pm
Exhibit & Sale:
Weekdays, March 30 – April 10 from 1 – 4 pm
And by appointment.
Closed April 3.
Admission is free.
Blue Ridge PBS: 1215 McNeil Drive, Roanoke, VA 24015
It's not too late to see our current exhibit! Open through March 20
ARTISTIC ENCOUNTERS: MEET THE ARTIST is partnering with Blacksburg's Miller Off Main Street Galleries to present a special exhibit of works by various artists.
Featured artists include: Walt Hewes, Linda Hinson, Jennifer Lovejoy, Robert Miller, Naresh Paswan, Braden Perryman, and Phil Ramsey.
Join us as we celebrate the creativity of our region!
Exhibit & Sale:
Weekdays, March 9 – 20 from 1 – 4 pm
And by appointment.
Admission is free.
Blue Ridge PBS: 1215 McNeil Drive, Roanoke, VA 24015
COMING UP:
In order for the series to continue we need funding and artists! Please reach out to ArtisticEncounters@BlueRidgePBS.org
Artistic Encounters - Visionaries
Recognizing and supporting Blue Ridge PBS’ artist series, Meet the Artist
- Brenda Barksdale
- Ann Martyn
- Mark Wheeler