Artist Betsy Ross Koller to sign copies of

“Crockett Hall” prints Oct. 23

Betsy Ross Koller, an artist whose work has adorned UNICEF greeting cards and holiday boxes of Nestlé chocolate, will sign prints of her colorful depiction of Crockett Hall during a reception at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise on Saturday, Oct. 23.

The public is invited to attend the reception and signing from 3-4 p.m. in the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center. Prints of “Crockett Hall” will be available for purchase for $100. The high-quality artist prints are 19 inches tall and 25 inches wide. All proceeds from the sale of “Crockett Hall” prints will benefit UVa-Wise.

Koller’s painting illustrates the building’s past as part of the Wise County poor farm. The family shown tending their crops is “rich in spirit, rich in a desire to take care of themselves,” Koller says. “Crockett Hall is a place of honor and dignity and tradition, then and today.”

Crockett Hall was part of the Wise County poor farm before being renovated to house the entire College when it opened in 1954. In later years, the building was used as a student residence hall. It is currently closed and awaiting a restoration project which will begin early next year.

The original painting “Crockett Hall” was donated to UVa-Wise by Koller in honor of the College’s 50th anniversary. The painting was later purchased at a benefit auction by Gaynell Fowler of Grundy. Fowler graciously donated the original artwork back to the College. It will hang in Crockett Hall after the building’s renovation is completed.

A native of Zanesville, Ohio, Koller developed her unique artistic style while living in Switzerland. She first began painting as a hobby, studying Swiss naive art. Her alpine scenes were soon joined by works depicting her idyllic country childhood.

Koller’s award-winning images have been exhibited widely in the United States and Europe. Her paintings can be found in public and private collections across the U.S., Europe and as far away as South Africa.

In addition to her appearance at UVa-Wise, Koller will show several of her works at a local gallery. On Sunday, Oct. 24, Koller will debut two new works, one a painting of the Wise Inn and the other a local landscape, during a public event from 1-5 p.m. at Keepsake Frame and Art Gallery in Norton.

For more information about the Saturday reception, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130. For more information about the event at Keepsake Frame and Art Gallery, call 276-679-2170.