When Round Hill Arts Center outgrew their first space in an old furniture factory in the village, the much-loved Hill High Apple Orchard facility on Harry Bird Highway was in need of a new mission in life. Today, a lively mix of new shops and the brand new Arts Center studios welcome visitors and students of all ages.

Whether your passion is pottery, painting, porcelain or poetry, you will find teachers, aficionados and friends in the Round Hill Arts Center spaces at 35246 Harry Bird Highway morning, noon and night.

There is a brand new pottery studio with firing and glazing rooms, delightful children's studio space that welcomes every level of enthusiasm and abandon and lots of flexible space for literary, Celtic and poetry jams, concerts and Acadian weaving classes.

"This is where the arts and the community meet," explains Marketing Manager Carolyn Christensen. "We want to be part of the vibrant arts community in Loudoun County," the lovely Philomont native says enthusiastically.

"There is a beautiful and particular joy in creating something," she continues. "Not only does recent and rigorous scientific research support the importance of the arts and creativity in brain development, we are more and more aware that children need the arts to develop new synaptic processes."

"When these windows are opened with exposure to music and visual arts, the individual is able to live a fuller life. If, at Round Hill Arts Center, we can help accomplish this, we will benefit our citizens and our community at large."

The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization shares the Hill High Apple Orchard space with the original country store which still sells famous pies, the Gateway Gallery, an artists cooperative and gift shop, and the Bogati Bodega & Vineyard. All the shops partner and work together on events at Hill High that contribute in many ways to community and county life.

"We all believe in the resurgence of the community art movement that is alive and well in many parts of the country," explained Carolyn. "We want to be part of that movement and build resources for citizens of all ages at the Center."

An easy drive from every corner of Loudoun County and only a little farther from points east, west, north and south, the Round Hill Arts Center is a perfect place for a weekend family outing, Holiday shopping, a music event or summer camps and workshops.

Hope Haynes who was the founder of the Round Hill Arts Center (RHAC) was a woman of great vision and stewardship.

Bob Lewis, the property owner and landlord for RHAC today, shares that vision for the greater Loudoun community.

Every third Friday of the month there is an Open House at Round Hill Arts Center. Everyone is welcome and there are lots of activities. An art exhibition of teachers' work is on display now and the Community Literary Jams are the first and third Sundays of the month from 1-3:30 p.m.

For more information about classes, bazaars, how to rent space for special events and much more, please visit www.roundhillartscenter.org or telephone 540 338 5022.