The Southern Ohio Museum & Cultural Center: The Southern Ohio Museum opened its galleries and programs to the public in 1979, after the community's largest bank moved its headquarters from the handsome Beaux Arts style building at 825 Gallia Street in the heart of Portsmouth's downtown. The building now houses two permanent installations featuring the largest single collection of works by native son and well-known American Scene painter Clarence Holbrook Carter (1904-2000) and "Art of the Ancients," 10,000 prehistoric Native American objects from the Charles and William Wertz Collection. Three other galleries feature group and solo exhibitions of well-known and emerging contemporary Ohio and regional artists. The Museum also offers a 100-seat theatre for music and performing arts, a gift shop, a reading room with more than 1000 volumes and changing exhibits of local historic photographs, a classroom, a guided tour program, an off-site circus arts studio and year-round programming designed to enhance the exhibitions. For information call (740) 354-5629.

The picture featured at the right is actually a painting of the building by Willard Reader.

The Vern Riffe Performing Arts Center: The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts is 102,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located on the campus of Shawnee State University. It is the home of the university’s bachelor of fine arts programs and has featured some of the biggest names in Broadway, theater, jazz, big band, dance, folk, dramatic arts, and pop music. The main theater seats 1139 people and features a 20 ft. x 20 ft. projection screen with rear projection capabilities, satellite and digital projection capabilities, moveable thrust stage for speaker programs, full theatrical stage lighting and sound and two way cable access. The facility also has a generous display area in the grand lobby and the campus food service is available to serve your catering needs. For more programming information and ticket availability, call (740) 351-3622 or the McKinley Box Office at (740) 351-3600.

Portsmouth Community Orchestra: The Portsmouth Community Orchestra presents five concerts annually. The season starts in November with an evening of classical selections. December brings the Christmas Concert, a very favorite holiday event. In February, the orchestra presents its "Sweethearts Concert", including dinner, so mark your calendar for an evening of some delightful food and music with someone special. The spring features a special "Kids Concert" for all the children among us, and the year is capped off by the orchestra's annual 4th of July Concert and Celebration. For orchestra information, call (740) 354-2813.

Portsmouth Little Theatre: Get your tickets early as the Portsmouth Little Theatre presentations traditionally sell out. This totally volunteer theatre group offers four plays annually and truly represents community theatre at its best. For information call (740) 353-7034.

Southern Ohio Light Opera: Enjoy exciting guest artists, favorite local talents, magnificent scenery, stunning costumes, elegant dancing and a thrilling full orchestra as the Southern Ohio Light Opera (SOLO) offers its annual operetta(s). This is an annual summer activity, so look for the presentation in July or August. For information, call (740) 353-5044.

Southern Ohio Performing Arts: Presents nationally renowned performing arts productions and concerts featuring Broadway, Family Pops and Fine Arts mini-series in conjunction with Shawnee State University at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. For scheduled events and ticket information call (740) 351-3600.

A. F. M. LOCAL #482: In connection with the Music Performance Trust Fund and the Beautification Society, this group presents free summertime concerts in Tracy Park. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. Contact Gary Billups for information (740) 574-6756.

The Portsmouth Area Arts Council: Founded in 1970, and dedicated to encourage the development, practice, appreciation and preservation of the Arts among the people of the Greater Portsmouth Area, this organization's main goal is to bring the Arts to area students through special exhibits, lectures, demonstrations, workshops and performances, giving students the opportunity to experience and learn from professional artists. For Arts Council information, please contact DeLynn Coppoletti (740) 351-3642.

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