Creative Virginia profiles the artistic and creative people of Central and Southwest Virginia.

From unique pieces to quirky creations, you’ll find some imaginative folks on Creative Virginia.

On this episode, we head to Giles County to meet Greg Galbreath. Greg strives to make the highest quality open-back banjos possible - in tone, playability, and looks.

Jackson Cunningham Handmade Musical Instruments is based in Grayson County, Virginia, USA. His father was a master craftsman, and these skills were passed down at a very young age. Family ties and a love of music brought Jackson to Southwestern Virginia where he began building instruments full time with the generous help of many local luthiers. His driving inspiration has always been the instruments his musical heroes used to perform classic American roots music.

For more information, visit Cunningham Handmade Instruments - Home | Facebook

Join us as we meet Tay, a guy who takes everyday metal and turns it into beautiful art.

For more information, visit liftarcstudios.com/

Creative Virginia heads over to Roanoke to meet Lucky, a man with a great talent and even greater mustache. Lucky takes old coins and metal and turns them into unique jewelry. 

For more information, visit luckybuttonsjewelry.com/

Crafteria: Handmade Food and Goods is a creative hub for area artisans, crafters and makers. It is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to support local artists and small businesses.

On this latest edition of Creative Virginia, we visit with leatherworker, Henry Bryant of Elliston. Henry specializes in 18th-century leatherwork for historic war re-enactors, and history museums, but he also creates modern day items using the same 18th-century methods of construction.

Get more information at FortVauseOutfitters.com or (540) 380-3469

Creative Virginia heads to Blacksburg for a chat with Folk Artist, Ken Pease. Ken credits Picasso and Warner Brothers for his artistic style, and his love for music and animals are reflected in his colorful works of art.

Get more information at TropicalZombies@yahoo.com

Creative Virginia visits with Jim Dodd, a wood strip canoe maker living in Botetourt County. His canoes are considered by many to be works of art. Get more information at LazyRiverCanoes.com or email: jdodd1403@gmail.com

In this edition of Creative Virginia, we visit with Cynthia D. Haney. Cynthia is a wood turner in Amherst, and she specializes in drop spindles and knitting tools. Get more information at CynthiaWoodSpinner.com or email: CH@CynthiaHaney.com

In our very first edition of Creative Virginia, we visit with Andy Taylor of Grateful Heads. This non-profit organization uses the tie-dye art medium to create colorful head coverings for cancer patients losing their hair due to chemotherapy.