The Charlottesville Mural Project unveils a tribute to the Rivanna River

On a chilly Friday in late November, Ross McDermott of the Charlottesville Mural Project gathered a large group on the railroad crossing at First Street to dedicate the organization’s newest mural, designed by local artist Kaki Dimock. The mural’s theme is the Rivanna River, a subject originally proposed by Rose Brown of the organization StreamWatch, who […]

Millicent Young seeks a new mythology through primordial totems

I was completely captivated by Millicent Young’s radiant show at Chroma Projects. Composed of horsehair and found wood, Young’s work thrums with nature and speaks to ancient mysteries that our modern selves can only dimly grasp. “The known, the unknown, and the unknowable is a trinity that has been with me a very long time,” […]

C’ville Art Blog: Clay Witt at the Garage

The Garage is primarily recognized as a fun offbeat downtown music venue. However, if you squint and peer behind the lead guitarist, or stumble past on your way to your car on First Fridays, you discover the space also curates monthly art shows. While its shows are fairly difficult to access (the space is closed […]

ARTS Pick: Artisans Studio Tour

Craft lovers, get ready to hit the road for the 19th Annual Artisans Studio Tour, a self-guided visit to local studios exhibiting artists works and processes around Charlottesville and the surrounding counties. Showcasing 38 of Virginia’s finest artisans, the tour includes demonstrations, opportunities for hands-on experience, and displays of pottery, furniture, weaving, jewelry, stained glass, […]

Johanna Leech builds a mini-museum of collectables that tell a local story

“I’m an artist…but I’d also identify myself as a collector,” said Johanna Leech. It is precisely this vocation that brings Leech to Charlottesville to participate in The Bridge PAI’s new artist-in-residence program. The 28-year-old native of Belfast, Northern Ireland has spent October scouring the area for kitsch objects, unusual stories, and local hearsay, myths and legends. […]

November First Fridays Guide

Angelo 220 E. Main St. “Recent Paintings by Michael Fitts” on scrap metal panels. 5-7:30pm. The Bridge PAI 209 Monticello Rd. “Virginia is for …” by Johanna Leech. 5-8pm. Boutique Boutique 411 E. Main St. Day of the Dead celebration and Mexican art. 5-8pm. Chroma Projects 418 E. Main St. “Known/Not Known,” with sculpture by […]

C’ville Art Blog: The Whimsical World of Jessie Meehan

The Firefish Gallery is currently showcasing a collection of works by local artist Jessie Meehan that approaches painting in a refreshing and imaginative way. The body of work, titled “Tiny Lights,” is united by many elements, including the use of white pin points, stars or “tiny lights” that show up in each piece. The artist […]

Installation artist Patrick Dougherty twists twigs and tames volunteers

If you’ve been in the vicinity of the Ruth Caplin Theatre and the Arts Commons at UVA, you’ve no doubt noticed some unusual activity in the bowl-shaped area between the buildings. Renowned installation artist Patrick Dougherty, together with a group of community and UVA volunteers, is hard at work weaving a sculpture made from locally harvested […]

C’ville Art Blog: The quirky and fantastical universe of Rob Browning

Rob Browning‘s paintings currently on display at PVCC‘s South Gallery is a less coherent series than his recent show at Warm Springs Gallery. However I find the variety of painting executions to be much more appealing. The content of this show is strange and disjointed. Some images like Mermaid are eerie and surreal. Others are […]