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.

Karen Sewell was raised in Floyd, Virginia, surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  With a passion to create all of her life, these surroundings have provided the perfect outlet for this need. The small dramas being played out in nature would end up on the pages of many sketchpads.  Over time, the beautiful surroundings and the stories of old-time traditions and culture greatly influenced her artwork.  As an adult, she lived in the coastal regions of the South such as Charleston, SC, where involvement in art groups fueled the growing need to paint and interact in the local art scenes.  Once she relocated "back home", she and 5 other artists started a local art group and co-op gallery, The Floyd Artists Association, LLC.  Karen teaches and shows her art at the gallery and at several other locations in the region.
 
Karen has diligently developed her own style of painting that reflects her life, values, and passions.  She enjoys working with multiple mediums and subjects, but landscapes and portraits in oil or pastel are favored.  Being diverse in the creative process prevents stagnation, allowing her to continue to grow and evolve as an artist.  

Reception: 

Thursday, August 27 from 4 – 6 pm

Exhibit & Sale: 

Weekdays, August 31 – September 11 from 1 – 4 pm 
And by appointment. 
Closed September 7

Admission is free. 
 Blue Ridge PBS: 1215 McNeil Drive, Roanoke, VA 24015

In order for the series to continue we need funding and artists! Please reach out to ArtisticEncounters@BlueRidgePBS.org

Recognizing and supporting Blue Ridge PBS’ artist series, Meet the Artist 

• Brenda Barksdale
• Ann Martyn 
• Curt and Anne Steele
• Mark Wheeler

Support this series  -Pledge Now!