FREDERICKSBURG, THE NEXT CREATOR'S CAPITAL
WRITTEN BY SCOTT WHARTON
Fredericksburg, Virginia started out as a colonial-era town that predates the Revolutionary War. It has always been a place of importance both regionally and nationally. There is so much history in Fredericksburg, that if you were to go to the library and search for books on the area you would find shelves and shelves of them. Fredericksburg has always been a special place. Today the area is still creating history as it is the home to a colony of creators on the front lines of a Cultural Revolution! I see Fredericksburg continuing to grow into a place that harbors artists of all crafts from all around the globe (or across the flat earth). 'The Burg' is a Renaissance Town in a world that needs artistic and cultural change NOW.
Fredericksburg was home to the impressionist late 1800’s artist Gary Melcher's studio, which rests atop a hill overlooking the Rappahannock River - perfectly representing the creative perspective that 'The Burg' provides. The area is covered by National Park land that supplies serene inspiration with its quiet pleasant woods and trails. The scars of our Nation’s past and the Civil War become today’s fertile grounds through which creativity is inspired. Some parks even house amphitheaters for local live productions!
Fredericksburg (also abbreviated as FXBG) is the home of The Riverside Center for The Performing Arts and Riverside Dinner Theater - Fredericksburg's main stage for musical and dramatic productions. There are several art galleries such as The PONSHOP Studio and the Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts which are great hubs for events and networking with area artists. It seems downtown Fredericksburg keeps growing each year with new art studios, and the City has always prided themselves in promoting local artists.
Fredericksburg is also home to multiple music venues like Hard Times Café at Four Mile Fork which hosts local and nationally prominent bands and acts all the time. We even have our own stand-up comedy shows here at multiple venues such as those at the Fredericksburg Comedy Zone.
The truth is Fredericksburg is already on the map in many ways! But where are the famous Fredericksburg creatives, performers, and artists? How come us residents in the ‘Burg are always focusing our attention on creative media from elsewhere versus the amazing talent we have right here at home? We need to bring the spotlight on our local performers and creatives!
There's a powerful energy in Fredericksburg that's undeniable. When you allow yourself to be open to this energy, beautiful creative inspiration will swell within you. Every day more folks are waking up to this energy and their own creative power. Small business is booming, buskers are serenading, painters are painting, the creativity is contagious! Fredericksburg is evolving into everything I always wanted it to be growing up - a creative Mecca that breeds the next artistic wave. If we continue to inspire, push and promote one another, then together we can construct a creator's kingdom, where we all prosper and flourish!
We must come together and work cooperatively and collaboratively though. We can't let our egos get in the way… there is more strength in numbers versus being alone! We need to echo each other when possible! Together we can help promote and participate in amazing local community events and truly get to know our neighbors and fellow community members. Through coming together with the power of art, music, and culture we can affect social change here in Fredericksburg, and help spread the light throughout our wonderful City! I'm excited to share this vision with YOU, my friends!
Scott Wharton is a stand-up comedian from Fredericksburg Virginia. When he is not busy doing comedy or writing, Scott prefers to explore the country on a Greyhound bus or exploring his mind with entheogenic substances. He is always accompanied by his dog BO.
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