ROANOKE, VA.- In two weeks, the Art Museum of Western Virginia will transform the streets of downtown Roanoke into a celebration of art and creativity and a premier destination for fine art shopping. The 2007 Sidewalk Art Show will be held in downtown Roanoke’s historic Market Square area on Saturday, June 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 3 from noon to 5 p.m. The 2007 Sidewalk Art Show is presented by Bank of America.

One of the largest art shows in the southeast and a longstanding community tradition, the Sidewalk Art Show attracts over 10,000 visitors to downtown Roanoke each year. Over 140 artists from Canada to Florida will line the streets with stunning original works of art. This year, in its first year as a juried fine arts show, the 2007 Sidewalk Art Show raises the bar and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the highest quality fine art, meet and talk with exhibiting artists, and experience the charm of downtown Roanoke. All the works exhibited are for sale, including original paintings, prints, watercolors, etchings, mixed-media, photographs, and sculpture. Admission is FREE.

“The Art Museum is incredibly pleased to present the Sidewalk Art Show for the 49th year,” said Georganne Bingham, executive director of the Art Museum. “The quality of the show continues to improve year after year, and we look forward to the Sidewalk Art Show quickly becoming one of the leading art shows on the east coast with the construction of the Art Museum’s extraordinary new building.”

Ted Batt will serve as judge for this year’s Sidewalk Art Show. He has served as exhibitions curator for the Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg since 2005 and also currently manages the gallery for Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond. In addition to the Art Museum’s 2007 Sidewalk Art Show, he oversees two annual juried shows and other events. Prior to joining the Academy of Fine Arts, Batt directed the fine arts program at the Medical College of Virginia. He received a master’s degree in art history and museum studies from VCU.

The Sidewalk Art Show’s Art Zone encourages children to explore their own creativity and artistic talents through hands-on art activities. This year, children can create spectacular mono prints, a fun painting activity for all ages. Art Zone is sponsored by The Pepsi Bottling Group.

The Sidewalk Art Show is a special project of the Art Museum’s Volunteer Guild. Comprised of over 120 volunteers, the Volunteer Guild provides tour guides for exhibitions and the permanent collection, assists the museum with installations of exhibitions, and coordinates and participates in special events hosted by the Art Museum.

All proceeds from the Sidewalk Art Show benefit the Art Museum’s education and outreach programs, including Art Venture, summer camps, and education programs for adults.