The first annual Unknown Artist Show had 5 artists and it has grown in to one of the best art shows that Roanoke Va. has to offer, with 14 artists. Our goal is to provide an outlet for artists who may or may not be represented in our local galleries to showcase their art. The artists who participate in the show have regular full time jobs and then spend their time producing artwork on a part time basis. The show is open to all artists of all forms of art medium. We strive to exhibit a wide range of art and styles so all forms of art are considered.

Ever since the first Unknown Artist Show there has been an overwhelming amount of artists who ask about joining the show and what it takes to be a part of the Unknown Artist Show. The artists who participate in the show are asked to do their part with helping make the event a successful show. Each artist is responsible for creating, producing, transporting, and hanging their own artwork. In addition, the artists who participate attend regularly scheduled meetings to discuss plans and how they can volunteer their time to help reduce costs. Finally, there is a small entrance fee to help off set the cost of all administrative services.

The show is helping to bring awareness to Autism by conducting a fund raising event during the reception. The fund raising event takes a lot of work to be successful so each artist will be asked to help solicit donations, silent auction items, and promote the show by helping with activities surrounding the exposure for the event.

We want to be able to have as many artists participate in the show as possible. We are currently seeking artists who are able to volunteer their time and help promote the show and its charity organization, the Blue Ridge Autism Center.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we want to hear from you. Please contact us so we can meet to discuss.

The WSLS 10 – 3rd annual Unknown Artist Show was a success due to all of the businesses support and willingness to help the by donating items for silent auction. On behalf of the all the artists and the Blue Ridge Autism Center, I would like to personally thank you for helping and look forward having your business help sponsor our event this year.With your help we raised over $5000.00 dollars by donations and the sale of your donated silent auction items. There were estimates of 450-500+ individuals who attended this year’s show in the beautiful Fralin Atrium at the Jefferson Center. 

The Unknown Artist Show helped support a non-profit organization, the Blue Ridge Autism Center.  We hope that the amount of money raised coupled with the number of attendees will encourage your business to help support our event this year.  This year the WSLS 10's Unknown Artist Show is set for Decemeber the 1st at the wonder Jefferson Center in downtown Roanoke.

Roanoke needs to have events such as the Unknown Artist Show because everyone gets the exposure they need; artist awareness, non-profit exposure, businesses as sponsors.

David Robinson – Founder

The Autism Society of America (ASA) welcomed the new CDC studies on the prevalence numbers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States as tremendously significant data that will help the cause of improving the lives of all those affected by autism.  In data collected from its Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), a population-based, multi-state surveillance network that surveyed 8 year olds in 2000 and 2002, the CDC found that the data confirm that ASD prevalence affects approximately an average of 1 child in every 150. The data represents 10 p ercent of the U.S. population of 8 year old children.