PURCELLVILLE, Va. September 28, 2022— The Purcellville Arts Council is pleased to host a “Meet the Artist” reception for Reggie Simms on October 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Purcellville Town Hall (221 S. Nursery Avenue). Artwork by Mr. Simms is currently on display at Town Hall. The Purcellville Arts Council and Mr. Simms invite the public for an evening of art, discussion, and light refreshments on Wednesday, October 5.
This reception is part of the town-wide, week-long event called Celebrate Purcellville which features local artisans, performers, businesses, and organizations. Bring your Celebrate Purcellville Passport to the reception to get one of the 20 stickers needed for a chance to win prizes, including a $500 grand prize. Passports may be picked up at Town Hall as well. Get more information about Celebrate Purcellville here: https://purcellvilleva.gov/997/Celebrate-Purcellville.
Purcellville native Reggie Simms is an accomplished painter, sculptor, and down-to-earth philosopher. Now age 87 and reflecting on his life’s journey, he says he always has wanted to explore new things, create, and imagine. He credits his mother for encouraging him to draw and paint. “My mother located a racially integrated art academy on Embassy Row in D.C. and, after high school, I went there for a year, learning anatomy and drawing human figures. Later, I took a few painting classes in New Jersey. By then I was hooked.” He continued to learn through trial-and-error and built a career in commercial art for grocery chains and Metro. Paintings in the exhibit at Town Hall are eye-catching canvases depicting selected National Geographic magazine covers. This magazine has a special meaning to Mr. Simms. “I owe my fascination with travel, geography and world cultures to those magazines,” he said. The Purcellville Arts Council invites Purcellville residents to come learn more about Mr. Simms and see his artwork.
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives. The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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