March 7–30
Phaeton Gallery presents “Understory,” an engaging exhibition of expressive nature paintings by Krista Townsend (Charlottesville, Virginia) paired with vibrant, layered written messages by Niki Hare (Tewkesbury, England) that invite viewers to immerse themselves in the splendor of the forest. “Understory” brings together a group of paintings that explore and promote the profound connection between art and nature. These works offer a new way of seeing this unique ecosystem—the lush world beneath the canopy—where plants adapt to low light, bloom in brief windows of opportunity, and play a crucial role in the health of a forest. First Fridays opening reception with the artists, on March 7 from 5–8pm. Phaeton Gallery, 114 Old Preston Ave. phaetongallery.com
Chroma Projects Inside Vault Virginia, Third St. SE. In the micro gallery, “Hothouse Phoenix,” an installation of found stick sculpture by Kelly Lonergan. Through March 28. In the Great Halls of Vault Virginia, “Kinship,” a photo journalist’s documentary on the contrasts of urban culture and politics in the ’60s and ’70s. Through March.
Crozet Artisan Depot 5791 Three Notch’d Rd., Crozet. “Earth to Art,” functional ceramic pieces by Jessica Heavner. “Harvested Stories: A Photo Exhibition of Local Farms and Their Bounty,” images capturing the essence of small farms by photographer and storyteller Daniel James. Both shows run through March. Meet the artists event March 15, 11am–1pm.
C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery 118 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. “Second Chances Are Here,” upcycled works by Allan Young. Through March. First Fridays reception with the artist 5–7pm.
The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA 155 Rugby Rd. “Structures,” a selection of 20th- and 21st-century works exploring the ways that art can speak to or question the formal, physical, environmental, social, and institutional structures of our world. “Celebration,” features works by five African American artists highlighting the ways these artists honor history, culture, and heritage through various media. “Joan Mitchell: Uncovering 100 Years,” Abstract Expressionist paintings. “Between Hand and Scroll: Torah Pointers from the Barr Collection,” a selection of more than 80 Torah pointers (yads) made of gold, silver, pearls, jewels and additional materials. “O’ Powa O’ Meng: The Art and Legacy of Jody Folwell,” contemporary pottery from Kha’p’o Owingeh (Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico). Through June 15. All shows run through July 20, 2025 unless otherwise noted.
The Gallery at Studio IX 969 Second St. SE. “In the Eye of the Bee-holder,” film photographs capturing moments from the artist’s everyday life by Orion Redwolf. Through March 30. First Fridays opening reception, 5–7pm, live music performance 7–8pm.
Hello Comics Downtown 211 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. “Heroes & Villains: A Comic Art Show,” featuring digital works and prints by Will Cypser. March 7–30. First Fridays opening reception with the artist, 5–6:30pm.
IX Art Park 522 Second St. SE. “The Looking Glass,” an immersive art space featuring a whimsical enchanted forest and kaleidoscopic cave. Ongoing. “Art Mix at IX,” a fun night of art, music, and drinks where you can spark new ideas, make awesome connections, and celebrate the local art scene with fellow cool cats. First Fridays, 6pm–midnight.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA 400 Worrell Dr. “Milpa: Stop-motion animation by Spinifex artists,” animated films from the remote Western Australian town of Tjuntjuntjara. Through June 15.
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center 233 Fourth St. NW. In the Contemporary Gallery, “807,” photographs documenting the artist’s former family home in the small Appalachian town of Clifton Forge, by Kori Price. Through April 23. Permanent exhibition, “Pride Overcomes Prejudice,” exploring the history of peoples of African descent in Charlottesville. Ongoing.
Les Yeux du Monde 841 Wolf Trap Rd. “Tracing Hope,” a two-person exhibition featuring new watercolor and gouache works on paper by Sanda Iliescu and new three-dimensional works paired with painting and mixed-media works by Ana Rendich. Through March 23. New shows “Russ Warren: FACES” and “David Hawkins: New Works” run March 28–May 4. Opening receptions March 28, 5–7pm.
McGuffey Art Center 201 Second St. NW. In the Sarah B. Smith Gallery, “Can’t See the Forest,” water-based media works by Jane Skafte. In the First Floor North Gallery, “Lessons In Art Learned at an Exhibition,” interdisciplinary sculpture works by Mark Stephen Chapman. In the First Floor South Gallery, “What’s Left? What’s Right?,” politically charged quilts, collage and installation by Dawn Hanson. In the Second Floor Galleries, “Between Fantasy and Biology,” abstract compositions influenced by biological patterns as seen through a microscope by Jurgen Ziesmann. All shows run March 7–30. First Fridays reception including Associate Members pop-up shop and live music and dance by the Lua Project, 5:30–7:30pm.
New City Arts 114 Third St. NE. In the Welcome Gallery, “Sketches of Home: Personal Considerations of Cherished Space,” an installation-based exhibition of works on paper, embroidery, found objects, and performance on video by Somé Louis. March 7–26. First Fridays opening reception 5–7:30pm, with an artist talk at 6pm.
The PVCC Gallery V. Earl Dickinson Building, 501 College Dr. “TRAD: Portraits of Irish and Scottish Traditional Musicians,” large-scale photographs of traditional musicians by Christopher Bickford. Through March 29.
Ruffin Gallery UVA Grounds, Ruffin Hall, 179 Culbreth Rd. “New Level Heads,” interactive kinetic sculpture by Christopher Cozier. Through March 28.
Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE. In the Main Gallery, “Liminal,” figurative and abstract mixed media works by Cassie Guy. In the Dové Gallery, “Signs of Life,” paintings and drawings exploring grief and the cyclic nature of being by Kirsten Hemrich. Both shows run through March 21. Artists in Conversation with Cassie Guy and Cate West Zahl March 5, 5:30–6:30pm.
Visible Records 1740 Broadway St. “Through Their Lens: Gaza Untold Stories,” features Gaza-based photographers documenting the realities of life under one of the world’s most violent genocides. Through March 28.
Images courtesy of the galleries and/or artists
Niki Hare, “Where Does It Begin, and Where Does It End, What Came Before, Never Forget the Importance of the Understory,” 2025, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 inches.
