Culture

Painter Philip Geiger leaves a legacy of intensity and art history

Artist Philip Geiger, who taught painting at the University of Virginia for more than 30 years, depicted how things appear to the eye as opposed to reproducing how they appear physically. His perceptual approach was augmented by a deep understanding of art history, imbuing his paintings with weight and power. Geiger spent his life perfecting […]

Sarah Sargent | March 4, 2026

Culture

Painter J.M. Henry let beauty get in the way

J.M. Henry left an indelible impression on those he encountered in Charlottesville. They remember his talent and commitment to art, his resiliency, his generosity, and his finely attuned sense of humor. “Interference: A Retrospective of the Paintings of J.M. Henry” at McGuffey Art Center celebrates the work of the artist who died in June 2025.  […]

Sarah Sargent | February 18, 2026

Culture

Stacey Evans captures ephemeral perspectives from a window seat

Stacey Evans began taking photos from trains more than 20 years ago. What started casually, with a couple of images snapped on a trip, evolved into a serious body of work produced over 44 separate train journeys, along 14 different routes. “Passenger: Riding the Rails” at Second Street Gallery features photographs taken by Evans along […]

Sarah Sargent | December 17, 2025

Arts Culture

Acclaimed artist Wolfgang Buttress designs a community treasure

Known for his large-scale immersive installations that incorporate sculpture and technology to explore environmental themes, British artist Wolfgang Buttress’ reputation was established with 2015’s “The Hive,” a bee-centric work that won 27 awards and is now permanently installed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London. Thanks to a generous gift to University of Virginia’s […]

Sarah Sargent | November 5, 2025

Arts Culture Feature

McGuffey Art Center toasts 50 years of collaboration and support

From the moment it opened on October 11, 1975, the McGuffey Art Center was a hit. Half a century later, the vibrant arts organization is still humming along, providing affordable studio space and a supportive environment for artists while delivering art shows, receptions, classes, open studios, and performances to the public.  When William H. McGuffey […]

Sarah Sargent | September 3, 2025

Arts Culture

A dual show at Phaeton Gallery interprets beauty in layers 

Currently on exhibition at Phaeton Gallery,  “Understory” features works by Charlottesville resident Krista Townsend and Nikki Hare of Tewkesbury, U.K., in a dynamic artistic dialogue about nature. The title refers to the zone of vegetation that exists between the forest floor and the forest canopy. Townsend approaches this directly, producing work developed and centered on […]

Sarah Sargent | March 26, 2025

Arts Culture

Ruffin Gallery group show brings art alums together

The work of former University of Virginia students comes together in “A Continuous Storyline: Four Decades of UVA Painters” at the school’s Ruffin Gallery. In curating the show, UVA Professor of Studio Art Megan Marlatt chose artists with an active creative life who are developing, working, and making art.  Tori Cherry (’20), whose stunning self-portrait […]

Sarah Sargent | January 29, 2025

Arts Culture

Ten artists share repetition across mediums at Second Street Gallery

“That Feels Good! Labor as Pleasure” at Second Street Gallery brings together 10 artists working in a variety of media and styles whose work shares a labor-intensive, often repetitive, approach. For curator Francisco Donoso, the repetitions and effort yield not just interesting artwork, but also pleasure for the artist creating it.  Donoso cites as inspiration […]

Sarah Sargent | January 8, 2025