Piedmont Arts Announces Establishment of the Kathryn Ascough Smith Memorial Arts Education Fund

Kathryn “Kay” Ascough Smith (right) with her Piedmont Arts Shared Vision 

campaign co-chairman, Glenn Hunsucker, as an expansion of the museum 

began in 1997. © Martinsville Bulletin

Piedmont Arts is pleased to announce the establishment of the Kathryn Ascough Smith Memorial Arts Education Fund in memory of the long-time supporter and patron of Piedmont Arts who passed away earlier this year. The fund will be established with a $100,000 donation from her sister, Julia Ascough Work.

“We are honored to be the recipient of such a generous gift from Julie who, along with her sister, have given so much of their time, talent and treasure to Piedmont Arts,” said Executive Director Kathy Rogers. “The establishment of the Memorial Arts Education Fund will enable Piedmont Arts to continue to bring relevant and engaging arts programming to our schools, as well as provide programs for the entire community, including free Family Days and in-school artist residencies."

Piedmont Arts hopes to grow the fund through donations earmarked for educational outreach in the community. Rogers noted that the fund will enable the museum to look for new and exciting ways to reach both students and adults through the visual and performing arts. The fund will also be used to establish an art therapy program for caregivers at Piedmont Arts. 

Julie Works speaks about her sister, Kay Smith, at the 2014 Clyde Hooker Awards at Piedmont Arts on June 9, 2014.

Work stated, “I can’t think of a better way to honor Kay’s memory. She loved Piedmont Arts and knew the importance of having a community that is rich in arts and culture. The establishment of this fund to honor her memory will help ensure that Martinsville-Henry County continues to have an arts organization that contributes to the vibrancy of the community.”

Smith was known for her support of the arts, having served on the board of Piedmont Arts and as co-chair of the museum's Shared Vision Campaign, which raised capital for Piedmont Art’s expansion in the late 90s. Through Smith’s assistance and leadership, the campaign raised $2.5 million.

“We will be eternally grateful for Kay’s support of Piedmont Arts and will continue to feel the impact of her legacy on the museum,” said Rogers. “The generosity shown by both Kay and Julie is why they are so deserving of this year’s J. Clyde Hooker Award.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Kathyrn Ascough Smith Memorial Arts Education Fund may do so by making a donation payable to Piedmont Arts. Donations may also be made online here: http://bit.ly/RZ2nmY