Monthly Archives: June 2011

“Save It!” Wins Sears Hill Bridge Video Contest

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“Save It!” a short film by Ryan White of Tri21 Media and Denise Hood of Creative Juices Marketing nabbed first prize in the recent “Save Our Bridge” video contest sponsored by the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA).  The contest, held in collaboration with the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge and The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and funded by LingoNetworks, was part of a series of events crafted by the SDDA to bring attention to the fundraising efforts to replace the popular historic landmark.   

Denise Hood & Ryan White

White and Hood’s film featured downtown merchants and employees holding up “Save It!” posters and sharing what the bridge represents to them and why it should be restored.  At a screening of the winning films at the Visulite Cinema in Staunton on Sunday, June 26, White and Hood shared anecdotes describing the enthusiasm and concern they discovered within the community while filming the video. 

An honorable mention prize was awarded to 13 year-old Rachel Dixon, whose film “Stan” was the story of a young girl doing a project about the Sears Hill Bridge who stumbles upon a bridge troll who is upset about the loss of his bridge.

The two winning films plus a production called “It Takes More than Love to Build a Bridge” that was created by the SDDA and released in late April were shown at the event.  Frank Strassler of the Historic Staunton Foundation gave a presentation about the history of the bridge.  Music from local bluegrass band Hound Dog Hill Boys and appearances by the actors from the films rounded out the evening. 

The historic Sears Hill Bridge that has provided a valuable pedestrian link between the Sears Hill neighborhood and downtown Staunton for more than a century was condemned in January of 2010.  After months of conversation about restoration and who would foot the bill, the bridge was removed on November 1st and stored until funds could be raised.  Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge, a committee formed in December 2010 to raise money to restore the bridge estimates the restoration will cost $200,000.  More than $90,000 has been raised to date.

“Bridges” Storefront Art Window Winners Announced

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BSSS/Co-Art Entry

 A multi-media display featuring paintings, historical documents, stories and a 3D bridge floating above it all was awarded 1st prize in a storefront art gallery that opened Friday, June 24 in downtown Staunton.   Sponsored by the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA) in collaboration with the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge and The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, the window art show is part of a series of events crafted by the SDDA to bring attention to the fundraising efforts to replace the popular historic landmark.    

SWAG Writers Entry

There were nine entries in the contest. The winning art installation was created by artists from the Beverley Street Studio School and Co-Art Gallery. Second prize went to SWAG Writers (Staunton Waynesboro Augusta Group of Writers), whose window display includes original stories and poetry.  Third prize went to artist Charley Schillinger whose window depicts reasons why the Sears Hill Bridge is important to the residents of Sears Hill. 

  

Charley Schillinger's Entry

The historic Sears Hill Bridge that has provided a valuable pedestrian link between the Sears Hill neighborhood and downtown Staunton for more than a century was condemned in January of 2010.  After months of conversation about restoration and who would foot the bill, the bridge was removed on November 1st and stored until funds could be raised.  Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge, a committee formed in December 2010 to raise money to restore the bridge estimates the restoration will cost $200,000.  More than $90,000 has been raised to date. 

 “Bridges” will remain on display through July 29. A list of locations can be found at www.stauntondowntown.org 

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R.R. Smith Center Entered in This Place Matters Community Challenge

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The R.R. Smith Center for History and Art is one of 100 places around the country selected to compete in the This Place Matters Community Challenge, a contest geared toward highlighting the important role that historic buildings and properties play in preserving our national heritage as well as in enriching our local communities. 

Hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), the contest will award three prizes ranging from $5,000-$25,000 to the locations that get the most votes between June 1-30.  This Place Matters began in 2008 as the theme for Preservation Month when the NTHP asked people to stand up and publicly declare that places mattered individually, to the community, as well as nationally.  More than 250 non-profit organizations applied to be part of the challenge this year.  

The Smith Center was entered into the competition by the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA).  SDDA Executive Director Julie Markowitz said, “As a Main Street organization, the Staunton Downtown Development Association fully supports and encourages preservation efforts in the community. The R.R. Smith Center represents the importance of public-private investment and the partnership that exists between the Downtown property developers and the City of Staunton.   This partnership has always been encouraged by the National Trust and Main Street as a cornerstone for building strong Downtowns.  The R. R. Smith Center is an excellent example because it houses the organizations that represent and support our preservationist culture and the arts.”    

The Smith Center is a collaboration of three leading cultural organizations housed in what was originally the Eakleton Hotel designed by noted local architect T.J. Collins.  The Augusta County Historical Society, the Historic Staunton Foundation and the Staunton Augusta Art Center provide a wide-range of arts, preservation and history programs and activities in the building’s unique atmosphere of elegance and functionality.  Exhibit galleries, lecture hall, classrooms, archival areas, a conservation laboratory, a library and reading room, conference facilities, offices and a locally sourced retail store reflect many aspects of Staunton’s eclectic charm. 

What truly sets the R.R. Smith Center apart is that the organizations operating there successfully model how the history of a “place” can be merged with the living, breathing needs of the present.  The benefits of teamwork, the importance of arts and culture education and a passion for developing local artists, preservationists and historians of all ages are themes clearly threaded throughout the missions of each group.  The proffering of state-of-the-art facilities, juried exhibitions, important collections and special hands-on workshops and educational programs has established the R.R. Smith Center as a core element of Staunton’s vibrant local culture. 

Voting opened on June 1st at 8:00 am EST and closes on June 30th at 5:00 pm EST.  Instructions for voting are available at www.preservationnation.org/communitychallenge.

The winner will be announced on July 1st.