Bower Center For The Arts

06/07/2026

🎩✨Did you know you had Un-Birthday comming up?! We've already planned the party!✨🎩
We’re partnering with the Bower Center For The Arts to throw the most wonderfully weird party in Bedford, and you’re on the guest list!
🍰 Celebrate the delightfully absurd with an evening full of wonder, creativity, and a little bit of madness…
🎶 Live DJ to keep you spinning like a teacup
🕵️‍♀️ Interactive Quest – embrace your curiosity as you explore wonderland
🎨 Immersive Art Pieces throughout the event
🚚 Bullet Bowls Food Truck serving up delicious bites worthy of the Queen’s approval
🍸 Cash Bar with curious concoctions to sip and savor
🎁Local Vendors — unique makers and magical finds you won’t see anywhere else

Don’t be late… claim your un‑birthday spot today!
🫖 Because the most delightful parties happen for no reason at all…
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW!

https://members.bowercenter.org/event-calendar/Details/a-night-in-wonderland-a-very-merry-unbirthday-party-1736677?sourceTypeId=Website

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

In honor of D-Day Weekend, Bower Center for the Arts is open today! Join us for The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz exhibit from 12-5 PM.

Gallery Admission is FREE! Donations are appreciated. ❤

06/06/2026

Special D-Day Weekend Hours at Bower Center for the Arts

In honor of the anniversary of D-Day, Bower Center for the Arts will be open with extended gallery hours for The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz.

Take time this weekend to reflect, remember, and experience this powerful and nostalgic exhibition.

D-Day Weekend Gallery Hours:
🗓 Saturday, June 6 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🗓 Sunday, June 7 | 12:00 – 5:00 PM

This special exhibition offers a meaningful look at the life and work of Charles M. Schulz, whose storytelling often touched on themes of service, resilience, and humanity.

👉 Learn more about the exhibit:
https://www.bowercenter.org/2026/04/23/the-life-and-art-of-charles-m-schulz/

06/05/2026

Tune in! Hear from our Executive Director, Ryan Steffen and become up to date on all our programs and recent upgrades to the facility.

Thank you to Ryan Steffen with the Bower Center For The Arts for joining us on the latest episode of Not Just Buildings! 💚💙

As the Bower Center celebrates its 20th anniversary, Ryan shared how this beloved community arts organization has grown from a grassroots effort into one of Bedford’s most vibrant creative hubs. Housed in a beautifully repurposed historic church, the Bower Center offers everything from visual arts classes and summer camps to live performances, gallery exhibits, and hands-on experiences that inspire creativity for all ages.

Ryan discussed several exciting developments happening at the Bower Center, including recent facility improvements, the transformation of classroom spaces, and the creation of the new CAB Kids Corner—a whimsical interactive area designed to encourage young visitors to explore, create, and engage with art in new ways. He also highlighted the organization's growing educational programming and full summer lineup of concerts, camps, and special events. As part of the Bower Center's 20th anniversary celebration, the community is invited to enjoy a free performance by the Akeylah Simone Trio on June 13, featuring a unique blend of R&B, soul, and funk music.

One of the biggest attractions this summer is the traveling Charles M. Schulz exhibit, which explores the life and work of the creator of Peanuts and includes a replica of his studio. The exhibit has already drawn visitors from over 100 miles away and offers a unique opportunity for local residents to experience a nationally recognized exhibition right here in Bedford.

Ryan also emphasized the importance of community support, noting that the Bower Center's impact is made possible through volunteers, donors, artists, instructors, and community partners who help bring its mission to life. With only a small staff managing an ambitious calendar of programs, volunteer involvement continues to play a vital role in the organization's success.

🎧 Tune in to hear how the Bower Center is fostering artistic expression, enriching our community, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect through the arts. Available now on Media Squatch Podcast Network, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or at the link below! 👇
https://www.mediasquatch.com/not-just-buildings/episode/7848d24e/bower-center-for-the-arts

06/04/2026

It’s a tragedy that you only get one birthday a year…

✨🎩GOOD THING YOU’VE GOT 364 UN-BIRTHDAYS TO CELEBRATE!! 🎩✨

So, Join us July 11th for A Very Merry Un-Birthday Party, a delightfully mad evening of whimsy, revelry, and merriment…

Step into a world where those full of curiosity will feel right at home and expect an unforgettable night featuring:

🎶 A live DJ spinning enchanting beats
🍴 Bullet Bowls Food Truck to satisfy your cravings
🗺️ Interactive quests full of surprises
🎨 Immersive art installations to explore
🍸 A cash bar to keep the spirits flowing

We’re thrilled to partner with our friends at the Bower Center For The Arts in Bedford, VA to bring this imaginative evening to life.

Costumes are not required but encouraged! Whether you're curious, quirky, or delightfully unhinged—
Come comfortable and ready to celebrate!

…and if July 11th actually IS your birthday?
Even better. Come celebrate twice as much! 🎂

✨🐇⏰ Don’t be late for this very important date… ✨

📍 The Bower Center for the Arts | 305 N Bridge St, Bedford, VA 24523

📅 July 11th 7pm-11pm

🎟️Ticket link in bio!

06/04/2026

In honor of the anniversary of D-Day, the Bower Center for the Arts will offer extended gallery hours on June 6 & 7.

Join us as we reflect on history and explore our current exhibit:
The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz, a beloved cartoonist whose Peanuts characters shaped generations, and whose service in World War II left a lasting impression on his life and work.

Schulz’s connection to D-Day remembrance was deeply personal, later serving as Capital Campaign Chair of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation. His legacy is one of creativity, humility, and service.

🗓 Special Hours: (see image for full details)

🎟 Admission details and exhibit info: https://www.bowercenter.org/2026/04/23/the-life-and-art-of-charles-m-schulz/

Take a meaningful moment this weekend to honor history through art and visit the National D-Day Memorial. Special thanks to them and their sponsors for making this wonderful exhibit possible.

06/04/2026

📬 Stay in the Know with Bower Center! 🎨
Don’t miss a moment at the Bower Center for the Arts! Our Weekly Update Newsletter is your go-to source for everything happening here from upcoming exhibits and classes to special events, concerts, and community highlights.

✨ Be the first to know what's happening at Bower Center
✨ Discover new opportunities to get involved
✨ Plan your next visit with ease

Take a peek at what’s happening this week:
👉 https://members.bowercenter.org/ap/EmailViewer/pR5bnjxr

💌 Not on the list yet? Sign up today and get Bower news delivered straight to your inbox:
👉 https://www.bowercenter.org/newsletters/

Stay connected. Stay inspired.

06/03/2026

🎙️ New Episode + Live Experience at the Bower! 🎶
Get to know the incredible Akeylah Simone on the latest episode of Behind the Bower Podcast—then experience her music LIVE at a FREE concert on June 13 from 6–9 PM!

🎧 Listen now:
https://www.mediasquatch.com/behind-the-bower/episode/792b338c/akeylah-simone

✨ In this episode, Akeylah shares:
• Her deep musical roots and family influences
• Why staying true to herself is at the heart of her music
• What makes her live performances so dynamic and connecting
• The power of collaboration with fellow musicians and artists
• How the Virginia Commission for the Arts supports her work
• Why bringing the arts to small towns matters
• Why the arts are essential to human expression and well-being and MORE!

🎤 Don’t miss her live at the Bower Center!
Akeylah brings a soulful, genre-blending performance that invites you into the moment backed by an incredible band and a powerful message of connection and creativity.

🗓 Saturday, June 13
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM, Doors Open at 5:30 PM
📍 Bower Center for the Arts, 305 N. Bridge Street, Bedford
💥 FREE concert!

Come listen, connect, and be inspired. 💛
Advance registration requested at: https://members.bowercenter.org/events-performances/Details/akeylah-simone-trio-free-1594203?sourceTypeId=Website

06/02/2026

🌮🍹 Pottery Night Out: Tacos & Tequila — Just a Few Spots Left!
Looking for the perfect date night or a fun friend’s night out? We’ve got you covered, Pottery Night Out: Tacos & Tequila is happening this Friday, and there are still a few spots left!

🗓 Friday, June 5
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
💵Fee: $50 per couple
📍 Bower Center for the Arts

Spend a summer evening getting creative as you and your partner (romantic or otherwise!) build your own taco tray and tequila serving set—complete with bottle holder, tray, and shot glasses.

✨ No pottery experience? No problem! Templates make this workshop beginner-friendly, while still being a great time for more experienced artists. After your pieces are fired, you’ll return for a quick glazing session to add your finishing touches.

👯 Registration includes TWO participants—so grab your date or your bestie and make it a night to remember!

Spots are limited and filling fast—don’t miss out!
👉 Register now: https://members.bowercenter.org/classes/Details/pottery-night-out-tacos-tequila-1730887?sourceTypeId=Website