The Local Jam

The Local Jam In Spring 2024, Rita Brame and 16 Blocks Magazine produced The Local Jam mural in downtown Blacksburg on the Draper Block. The possibilities are immense.

Thanks to an invitation from Blacksburg’s Main Lee Gallery last March to come aboard in an effort to vitalize their studio and gallery spaces, I’m pleased to announce that the 16 Blocks and Satellite Art House at Main Lee Gallery will be up and running the first week of June. The potential benefits to local artists and residents as well as to those visiting are many, and we are excited at the outs

et of this new endeavor. We’ve brought a fine arts printer the size of an upright piano into the space. The printer is one of the best and can run high-end prints on a variety of different papers and sizes. We plan for this printer to be a resource to area artists who typically farm out their print-work to larger companies that run in bulk and who are located hundreds of miles away. We will be offering membership plans at cut-rate prices for local artists. We will offer some matting and will refer framing to local framers. This allows artists to establish relationships with more buyers and to reach a wider patronage. Our space will also be a studio for our partner on this project Peter Sforza. He is a satellite-artist amongst many things. The cover is a piece Sforza created for this issue. He’s found a niche market producing and manipulating satellite images and we will be displaying these in Main Lee as well. I met Sforza three years ago when I produced a cover piece for this magazine documenting his Hokies Thank the World Project. He gathered five thousand people on the Virginia Tech drillfield and arranged them into the letters “Thank You”. This was visible from space and a satellite image was taken, which was our message to those who kept us in their hearts and minds while we dealt with the aftermath following the 4-16 tragedy. You can read the story on 16blocksmagazine.com. We look forward to producing similar images in the future. As for the magazine’s role, we will be displaying our covers and will be working with the contributing artists in the magazine to make their work available in high-end print form. We will be basing our efforts and gathering artists for our Downtown Mural Project in Main Lee’s meeting room and also holding events in the gallery. Though we’ve named the project 16 Blocks and Satellite Art House, we are one of many artists and patrons occupying the greater space of Main Lee. We look forward to the many potential collaborations by joining forces in the space. Hart Fowler

A great convergence in Blacksburg at one of the best outdoor spots in the region. Holy Roller opened The Exchange VA su...
05/20/2026

A great convergence in Blacksburg at one of the best outdoor spots in the region. Holy Roller opened The Exchange VA supporting Grace Potter last NYE with an amazing set, playing here with long time regional favorites The Floorboards at Rising Silo Brewery. Sponsored by longtime 16 Blocks supporter Roots Realty Group.

Roanoke Souvenir Magazine's coverage of Holy Roller here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOyMH_Yk_DU&t=12s

The official Roots Fest poster is here! 🎶🌿Kudos to Blacksburg High School student Casey Newitt for the artwork/design!

We’re getting excited for an afternoon of live music, community, and fundraising at Rising Silo Brewery (event partner) on Saturday, June 6 from 3-9 PM.

Join us for performances by Holy Roller, The Floorboards, and William Seymour, with proceeds benefiting New River Land Trust and Poverty Creek Trails Coalition.��

A huge thank you to our generous sponsors for helping make Roots Fest possible: Freedom First Credit Union Mortgage Division, River Mountain Properties, NRV Title, Northpoint Insurance Advisors, Shelter Alternatives, Inc., and Roots Realty Group

Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and help us spread the word! And PLEASE CARPOOL, BIKE or Uber/Lyft.... parking is limited.

04/24/2026

Where's the original local live music performance thriving? We can claim Palmyra the Band as heros of the art representing SWVA! Live The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Thursday, May 28, 2026.

04/07/2026

featuring Blacksburg players Joel McGlothlin and Aaron Geller playing with the always excellent and versatile Brian Mesko.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY2hJPZ6-sI"College and Main" drawing at 600 Prices Fork RdOne of three Electric Boxes i...
04/02/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY2hJPZ6-sI
"College and Main" drawing at 600 Prices Fork Rd

One of three Electric Boxes in town by The Local Jam artist.
"Draper Block" - Corner of Main and Roanoke Streets
"Farmer's Market" - In front of Sheetz on Main

Rita Brame Art
Sponsored by Town of Blacksburg Government

A short imaginative film about the many imaginative applications of the artist, designer, and 16 Blocks Creative Director's work. Insta...

03/31/2026

Draper Block is Where it's At! Blacksburg Vintage Market drawing by Rita Brame Art.

"Get it Together" sample by Beastie Boys and QTip

Address

206-298 Draper Road NW
Blacksburg, VA
24060

Telephone

(540) 230-5112

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Local Jam posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category