Community Calendar

The Appalachian Trail Days Festival is the biggest event of the year in Damascus and the world's largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture! Each year in May, the town swells to an estimated 25,000 people for the festival. You can expect a grand reunion of thru-hikers past and present, over a hundred vendors of handmade goods and some of the best outdoor gear in the industry, a packed schedule of live music and events, and a large crowd of trail supporters and hiking enthusiasts.

Blending soulful blues rock, New Orleans funk, and jazz fusion into a style all their own, The Jason Cale Band will perform on Saturday, May 17th at 6 p.m. at Big Glades Amphitheater in downtown Wise in conjunction with Pro-Art's W. Campbell Edmonds Concert Series. The concert is free and open to the public and brought to you in partnership with the Town of Wise.

Full of heart and soul, the music is inspired by the fearless musical offerings of the late 60's and early 70's. The band hails from Virginia Beach, but has taken the show on the road, touring nationally and internationally, performing at venues of all sizes and conducting masterclasses and workshops at conservatories and schools around the world. The Jason Cale Band is Ed Williams on drums, Jason Cale on vocals/guitar, Jeffrey Saunders on sax, and Donnell Smith and Jacques Jones on bass.

Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, therefore individuals with accessibility needs or general questions are encouraged to call (276) 376-4520 or email the Pro-Art office at pro-art@uvawise.edu. For evolving conditions related to weather cancellations, or similar unforeseen circumstances, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for up-to-date information.

This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.

Registration is now open for the first annual Damascus Adventure Moto DAM 200, an epic dual sport adventure motorcycle ride into the mountains surrounding Damascus. Follow a 200-kilometer route around the scenic, winding back roads of Southwest Virginia. The DAM 200 is a moderate ride-at-your-own-pace route on a mix of paved and gravel surfaces, big-bike friendly, and a real delight for beginners and experienced riders alike. The DAM 200 will be limited to 150 riders—don’t miss out! The dates are June 6 through June 8th for 2025.

​Registration is $200 per person and includes the ride on Saturday, plus primitive tent camping from Friday to Sunday, Saturday breakfast and dinner, one raffle ticket, and a DAM 200 event t-shirt. Also included is access to a BDR film screening on Friday night and local live music on Saturday night. There will be lunch and refuel options available for riders to choose from along the DAM 200 route on Saturday

Empowering girls ages 10-14 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register at this link: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer

Empowering girls ages 10-14 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register at this link: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer

Empowering girls ages 10-14 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register at this link: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer

Empowering girls ages 10-14 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register at this link: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer

Empowering girls ages 10-14 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register at this link: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer

Empowering girls ages 6-11 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register here: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer

Empowering girls ages 6-11 through connection with the earth, each other, & their inherent creative power. We have a vision of girls feeling empowered and at home upon wild landscapes that may call to them in their lifetime, as well as feeling versed in the ways of land stewardship. Earth Skills focus on wilderness survival skills, homesteading and gardening skills, and the skillful use of natural materials. We teach functional art skills to support your daughter in feeling confident, self-sufficient, and empowered to channel her inherent creativity and capacity for beauty-making using natural materials. In our outdoor learning environment, we offer sharing circles, song and dance, and teach wellness skills so that your daughter can feel empowered to authentically connect with herself and her peers. Heart Skills are aimed at supporting lifelong health and wellness.

Learn more and register here: https://www.faunaforestfarm.org/girlssummer