Friday 1/30/26 through Tuesday 3/20/26
Ruffin Gallery at the University of Virginia presents its annual Ruffin Distinguished Artist-in-Residence exhibition “We Dream of Life,” a collaboration reflecting friendship, shared dreams, and explorations of the natural world by New Mexico-based artist Paula Wilson and California-based artist iris yirei hu. Within a monumental installation incorporating painting, collage, and monotype, a 56-foot-long textile extends across the gallery from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, depicting a larger-than-life blue deity. This subject represents a merger of personal iconographies from each artist’s oeuvre, marrying Wilson’s monumental, extraordinary beings and the blue spirits that populate hu’s paintings. An artist talk takes place in Campbell Hall 160 on January 30, from 3:30–5pm, followed by the exhibition opening reception at the gallery from 5–7pm. Ruffin Gallery, UVA Grounds, Ruffin Hall, 179 Culbreth Rd. art.as.virginia.edu
Crozet Artisan Depot 5791 Three Notch’d Rd., Crozet. The Winter Gift Market, a curated celebration of local talent featuring guest artists and crafters alongside current exhibitors. Through January 4, 2026. “Craft Lights,” one-of-a-kind lamps made from salvaged industrial and domestic objects, by Bill Craft. “The Beloved,” geometric minimalist sculpture, wall art, paintings, prints, and installations by MISK. Both shows run January 17–February 28, 2026. Meet the artists event February 7, 11am–1pm.
The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA 155 Rugby Rd. “Haiti’s Time: Selections from the Collection of Beverly and John Fox Sullivan” draws upon works by some of this island nation’s most esteemed artists to reveal exceptional paintings that offer a timely view of Haitian history, spiritual realms, and daily life. Through January 4, 2026. “In Feeling: Empathy and Tension Through Disability” features works by nine contemporary artists that reckon with how we empathize. Exploring the relationship between empathy and tension, this exhibition highlights and celebrates perspectives that challenge assumptions about ways of being and living. Through January 4, 2026. “The World Between: Egypt and Nubia in Africa,” showcases the deep cultural embeddedness of ancient Egypt in Africa, beyond merely acknowledging its geographical position on the African continent. The exhibition demonstrates the complex interaction of different cultures in Egypt and Nubia, from prehistory through the Post-Meroitic era. Through June 14, 2026.
The Gallery at Studio IX 969 Second St. SE. “INSTRUMENTAL,” an interactive exhibit featuring life-size guitar images and unique photographs of other instruments used to create the soundtrack of the Charlottesville music community by portrait photographer Rich Tarbell. January 2–31. First Fridays opening reception, 5–7pm. Artist talk January 22, 5–6pm.
IX Art Park 522 Second St. SE. “The Looking Glass,” an immersive art space featuring a whimsical enchanted forest and kaleidoscopic cave. Ongoing.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA 400 Worrell Dr. “In the Beginning: Paintings by Senior Artists of the Spinifex Arts Project,” presents the bold, dynamic work of internationally renowned artists from the Spinifex Arts Project. Through March 8, 2026. “Tjukurpa | Handle It,” sculpture and mixed media works by Robert Fielding. Through February 15, 2026. In the Upper West Oval Room of the Rotunda at UVA, “Maatja-Maatja | For the Next Generation: Printmaking at Mimili Maku Arts,” a group show featuring prints by various artists. Through January 11, 2026.
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center 233 Fourth St. NW. In the Contemporary Gallery, “Finally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central Virginia” shines a light on the African American men and women who served in the Revolutionary War, curated by Dr. Shelley Murphy. Through January 31, 2026. Conversation with Andrew Lawler and curator Dr. Shelly Murphy January 15, 6pm. Permanent exhibition, “Pride Overcomes Prejudice,” exploring the history of peoples of African descent in Charlottesville. Ongoing.
Jefferson School City Center 233 Fourth St. NW. “Sanctuary of Soul,” acrylic and oil paintings by Michelle Nevarr. Through January 31, 2026.
The John P. & Stephanie F. Connaughton Gallery at the UVA McIntire School of Commerce Rouss & Robertson Halls third floor, East Lawn. “Secrets of Botanical,” acrylics and watermedia works by Matalie Deane. January 20–March 6, 2026.
Les Yeux du Monde 841 Wolf Trap Rd. “Lost & Found: A Correspondence Transcending Time,” paintings and mixed media works by Tony Gonnet and Cassie Guy. January 9–February 22. Opening reception with Cassie Guy January 9, 5–7pm. Lunch and conversation with Cassie Guy January 25, 12:30pm.
McGuffey Art Center 201 Second St. NW. In the Sarah B. Smith Gallery, “Ordinary Ways,” mixed media works by Grace Little. In the First and Second Floor Galleries, “2025 New Member Show,” select works from 21 new members. In the Associate Gallery, a themed show from MAC associate members. All shows run January 2–February 1, 2026. First Friday opening reception January 2, 5:30–7:30pm.
New City Arts 114 Third St. NE. In the Welcome Gallery, “Sueños Florecientes/Flowering Dreams: Portals to Self” explores concepts of intergenerational matrilineal healing through art-making and the cultivation of dreaming practices, by Karina A. Monroy. January 9–February 18, 2026. Opening reception January 9, 5–7:30pm.
Phaeton Gallery 114 Old Preston Ave. Studio visits and ticketed painting workshops with artist-in-residence Lindsey Tucker Gutierrez. Workshop I, January 12, 13, and 14, 2026. Workshop II, January 20 and 21, 2026.
The PVCC Gallery V. Earl Dickinson Building, 501 College Dr. “Spare Parts,” a group showcase featuring a variety of collage and assemblage works curated by Fenella Belle in response to PVCC’s One Book program selection: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Through January 10, 2026.
Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE. In the Main Gallery, “Passenger: Riding the Rails,” photographs from an ever-expanding archive of images shot from moving trains by Stacey Evans. In the Dové Gallery, “Possibility,” photographs documenting the rewilding of an 1800s’ Virginia farmhouse by Courtney Coker. Both shows run December 5, 2025–January 23, 2026. Family Studio Day January 10, 2026, 10am–2pm. Artist in Conversation gallery talk with Courtney Coker and Suzanne Tanner Chitwood January 15, 2026, 5:30–6:30pm. Wine Tasting with Erin Scala of Market Street Wine January 22, 2026, 6–7:30pm.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville 717 Rugby Rd. ““Buddhist Imagery,” acrylic and giclee print works by Tom Larson. Through February 28, 2026.
Visible Records 1740 Broadway St. “Thng / Nh (Loving / Remembering),” textiles and installation by Phng-Duyên Hi Nguyn. Through February 21, 2026.
