The Art of The Barter
While I now know that Nona was a woman with many talents, the extent of these talents I believe are only going to be slowly revealed to me as I take each step in this journey. A new stop has been added to my itinerary...the Barter Theatre. My father recalls that as a child he would help Nona load up her art supplies and then ride along with her to the Barter Theatre located just over the state line in Abingdon Virginia. As my father would slip into his own storyline while he bounced around and explored the majesty that is the Barter Theatre, Nona would tirelessly work on painting the backdrops for upcoming performances.
The Barter Theatre has an amazing history and a great story of it's own. According to the History of Barter Theatre, "During the Great Depression, Robert Porterfield, an enterprising young actor, returned to his native Southwest Virginia with an extraordinary proposition: Bartering produce from the farms and gardens of the region to gain admission to a play. On June 10, 1933, Barter Theatre opened its doors, proclaiming "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh." The price of admission was 40 cents or equivalent amount of produce. Four out of five Depression-era theatregoers paid their way with vegetables, dairy products and livestock.
To the surprise of many, all the seats for the first show were filled. The concept of trading "ham for Hamlet" caught on quickly. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds. The actors performing at the building were distracted not only by the occasional squealing pig or clucking hen, but noise from the town jail, which was located directly beneath the stage. The jail space was later used as a holding area for dogs suspected of rabies. It was eventually converted into dressing rooms for Barter actors."
The legacy of the Barter Theatre continues to impact the performance arts to this day. The history of the building, the town, and it's impact on the arts in general are celebrated and cherished. We have purchased tickets to see a show during our trip and I plan to investigate Nona's connection to this historical gem. My hope is to uncover a hidden treasure buried deep in the historical archives of the theatre. This is a long shot but my imagination leads me and in my minds eye I can already see the beautiful works of art that she created. For anyone who loves theatre, you know that the moods are set and the minds are transported with the art created by those who rarely receive noted credit. Masterpiece stage sets and backdrops, in fact, often go unnoticed for their greatness.
Nona had a love for all types of artistic expression and her connection to the Barter Theatre must have been an extension of this love. For Nona, it must have been all about the Art of the Barter.