Dr. Baxter Perkinson and Ivan Perkinson
Local artists, Drs. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. and Ivan W. Perkinson, entertained guests at Swift Creek Mill Theatre to help celebrate and launch the theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season with the opening of their art exhibit, “Perkinson Twins Art Exhibit, Reception & Play.” The exhibit and reception highlighted the Featured Artist Program at the Mill.
Full of energy at 70-years-old, the Perkinson twins greeted their friends, art patrons and the Mill’s board members, actors and volunteers during the reception with the invitation to join them to the opening of the Mills first play of the season, “A Second Helping: the Church Basement Ladies Sequel.”
Dr. Ivan Perkinson has been an ongoing contributor to the program and presented the Mill with art work depicting a fall scene of the renovated Mill building. The Mill can sell prints as a way of raising funds for exhibit lighting fixtures the Mill that are needed for the artists’ program. Dr. Perkinson then recruited his twin brother, Dr. Baxter Perkinson, who decided that they should supply the new art lighting, exhibit in the first show of this landmark season and support the Featured Artists Program through both financial and artistic support.
From left John Hagadorn, Sterling Hawkins, Joann Redd and Robert “Bob” Walker.
Sterling Hawkins, president of the Swift Creek Mill Board of Directors, was very excited about the new art fixtures kicking off their 50 season. “I am terribly excited,” he said. “I remember when the Mill first opened and have been active with the Mill since college.” Hawkins said he worked on the stage, in the box office, on the serving line and whereever he was needed. “Buddy and Betty Callahan, one of the original owners of the Mill, would call me their resident stage manager even though I wasn’t.”
“I am even more excited to be president of the board,” he said. “What lies ahead for us and the new lighting, it is absolutely wonderful. It is high quality and great for our featured artists.”
With a goal of becoming known as the Central Virginia Cultural Center, the Mill will continue to have featured artists and curated exhibits that coincide with the plays. “We have several events scheduled for our 50,” he said. “David Pippin, a well-know florist in Richmond, will interpret our classic shows in flowers.” The event, titled “A Floral Curtain Call,” is a lunch event on October 29 at 11 a.m.
Robert C. Walker, president of Roslyn Farm Corporation in Colonial Heights sees himself as a benefactor and believes the Mill is important for our quality of life. The renovation and addition of the Mill could not have happened without his support. “The community needs this [the Mill],” he said “It is a quality facility and we now have updated it to make the improvements that were needed to continue its progress in the community.”
The Perkinson Twins art exhibit will continue along with the stage performance of “A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies Sequel” through October 24. For more information visit www.swiftcreekmill.com or call 804-748-5203
