50 Stars for Roanoke: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom
The City of Roanoke Employee Arts and Crafts Show
October 1, 2026 – September 8, 2027

There are the 50 stars on our flag, and the well-loved Roanoke Star has presided nightly over our city since 1949. The star has become a symbol that unites us—Americans and Roanokers. To honor our city and celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, the Roanoke Arts Commission is inviting all City of Roanoke employees to create stars of their own for display in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building!
Employees are invited to create a star in any arts or crafts medium, whether that be two dimensional, like a wall hanging or piece of art, or 3D such as a small sculpture to be displayed in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building.
Here are some details:
– Employees from all departments are invited.
– Each work must include or represent a star
– We’re working to get 50 stars, but we’ll find room for all of our work if we go beyond that! We want to celebrate your creativity.
– Work must be no larger than 2 feet x 3 feet to be displayed. There is no minimum…so welcome miniaturists!
– All work must be original.
– All work must be ready to hang (framed if necessary with a hook on the back)
– Existing work is fine, or use this as a chance to create something new. What? You’ve got a star quilt square waiting to be pieced together? Let us display it this year!
– The call opens on Friday, April 3, 2026
– Ready to hang artwork will be accepted on September 10th and 11th, 2026.
– We’re asking you to let us know that you’re participating so that we can plan the space and be ready for a lot of stars! Tell us what you’re making here.

OUR CALENDAR
April 2 Call Opens
May-August Art making & call marketing
September 10, 11 Artwork Due on 4 South, Municipal Building, Times TBD.
October 1, 2026 Opening Event and Celebration at City Council
October – May Monthly Lunchtime Arts and crafts knowledge shares
September 9, 2027 Artwork pickup
Have a question? Contact Arts and Culture Coordinator Douglas Jackson at 540-853-5652, douglas.jackson@roanokeva.gov
JOIN US – Let us know you’re interested by filling out the form below.
50 Stars for Roanoke Employee Arts & Crafts Show
Thank you for celebrating the nation and Roanoke with us by making a Star for our exhibit in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. You’ve got until September 11 to make your star, and already created work is fine. We look forward to celebrating you and your work! Let us know you’re going to participate by filling out this simple form, and we’ll keep you updated. If you are interested in helping us promote the show, let us know below!
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