Arts

Connecting the pieces: Haitian handicrafts meet high fashion at Mi Ossa

“There’s plenty of artisanal food in Charlottesville, so we were just trying to find out what was missing,” jokes Shannon Worrell. Together with Nora Brookfield, Worrell is co-founder of Mi Ossa, a design lab and fashion line that’s located in Charlottesville’s Tenth Street Warehouse. Their business model focuses on fair trade and environmentally friendly ways […]

Sarah Lawson | September 18, 2015

Arts

Space exploration: An orchestra of gongs takes the stage at The Haven

“I have two arms and two legs to work with my instruments,” says musician Tatsuya Nakatani. Indeed, in his solo performances he makes full use of all four, improvising with countless approaches to sound with drums, gongs and other instruments. For those who have seen him at The Bridge PAI or Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, it’s […]

Sarah Lawson | September 8, 2015

Arts

A new leaf: UVA law library takes a bookish approach to art

As the school year gets underway, a group of artists from the McGuffey Art Center is hitting the books. Or rather, they’re cutting, sewing, painting and otherwise transforming books as part of a new exhibition at UVA’s Arthur J. Morris Law Library. Titled “Discarded,” the show draws its name quite literally from a common medium: […]

Sarah Lawson | September 1, 2015

Arts

Art on parade: New City Arts makes a move and opens a second gallery

Last weekend marked the annual ritual of the UVA undergraduates move-in, when students and parents haul semester survival gear from SUVs to dorm rooms. This year, the weekend also celebrated a move of a different kind—one with less heavy lifting but far more gusto. On Saturday, New City Arts Initiative moved out of its office […]

Sarah Lawson | August 25, 2015

Arts

Movable type: Virginia Arts of the Book Center makes a shift

If you only know one thing about the Virginia Arts of the Book Center, it’s probably that its tagline is “Beneath The Art Box.” This hints at the rich history of underground presses but also provides a literal reminder to help geolocate the community printmaking studio in its off-the-radar location. However, that motto needs an […]

Sarah Lawson | August 18, 2015

Arts

A face for radio: WTJU launches ‘BottleWorks’ video series

Since Nathan Moore joined WTJU 91.1FM as general manager in 2011, the community radio station has embraced change with new energy. His influence led the station to launch WXTJ 100.1FM, featuring solely UVA students as DJs. He was also instrumental in WTJU’s expansion into Richmond as 102.9FM and 1430AM. The most recent change under Nathan’s […]

Sarah Lawson | August 4, 2015

Arts

The last VHS tape: A eulogy for the Sneak Reviews experience

“I’m proud of what we’ve done for more than 21 years. It’s the little guys, the small business that really get to make an impact on the community,” says Mark Tramontin, owner of Sneak Reviews. This month, the local video store closes its doors, marking the end of one of Charlottesville’s most beloved experiences. Because […]

Sarah Lawson | July 28, 2015

Arts

Guest work: McGuffey’s celebrates its emerging artists program

What if there was a farm league for artists? This is one of the central questions raised by a new program for emerging artists at the McGuffey Art Center. In the past, the only way for an artist to join the art cooperative was to participate in a juried application process for associate or renting […]

Sarah Lawson | July 14, 2015

Arts

Marquee moments: Light House Studio moves in to Vinegar Hill Theatre

The popcorn machine remains silent and the box office window is still tightly closed, but signs of life are returning to Vinegar Hill Theatre this summer. After the arthouse cinema and adjacent restaurant closed in 2013, the building remained vacant for almost two years. In that time, someone stole the chalkboard by the front door; […]

Sarah Lawson | June 30, 2015