4th Friday Art Shows and Opening Reception @ Art Works!

Join us on July 26th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. for the opening reception of new art shows. Meet the artists and enjoy live music, refreshments and libations sponsored by RVA Thriving Artists.

This month we are presenting two exhibits with themes of the future, one from an archeological view of our current plastic-planet by Eric Manwiller and the other an imagining of a post-dystopian life where organic life coexists within a technological ecosystem by G. Terado. And welcome to the Menagerie of Horrible Darlings opening in the Centre Gallery. Prepare for some creepy haunts. Also featured is Ray Sutton who shares the unique voice of abstract expressionism. As always, we present the monthly All Media show by local artists—a special treat of many topics and art forms.

The exhibits continue through August 17,2023. The event is free and open to the public. Don’t forget, parking is also free. Come and join us for a night of art and celebration. Then have dinner at one of the restaurants in Manchester.

Exhibits July 26 – August 17, 2024
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Plastic Fossils: Recent Works by Eric Manwiller
Imagine a world where earth and plastic lie buried playfully, side-by-side, for a future civilization to ponder. That’s what Eric Manwiller imagined in his exhibit at Art Works. A Richmond-based artist, Manwiller combines painting and sculpture. And recently he has added mixed materials like casts of 1980s action figures, glitter, flip sequins, and various textiles to his work. The results evoke images of “plastic fossils” and explore issues of environmental importance.

The exhibit will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery.

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Tech Utopia by G. Terado

G. Terado has a degree in media art and animation from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. He brings these skills and talent to this exhibit. Tech Utopia is a speculation of a future post-dystopian life alongside the hope and faith for organic life successfully coexisting within a technological ecosystem. Terado’s inspiration comes from the recent rise in generative AI and the staggering use of mobile devices and virtual reality. The artwork is produced in graphite, ink, and watercolor.

This exhibit will be in the Port II Gallery.

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Abstract Expressionism by Ray Sutton

We are delighted to share a message from Ray Sutton, who sees abstract expressionism as a unique voice of freedom and unencumbered joy. During his visits to museums and galleries, Ray is always captivated by this art form, which urges the viewer to stop and spend time contemplating the color, line, and forms in each painting. As we celebrate the beauty and power of abstract expressionism, we join Ray in appreciating the unique voice of this art form.

This exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery.

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Welcome to the Menagerie of Horrible Darlings by Ginny Loving

Using porcelain, clay, mixed media, and repurposed fabrics, Ginny Loving transforms lumps of clay into an idea–from the macabre and humorous to the darkly beautiful and evocative. Through meticulous work and forged in fire, a sculpture is born. Each exquisitely handcrafted piece is completely unique–like a bone fragment, there will never be another like it.

Deliciously creepy, from our haunt to yours, welcome to the MENAGERIE. This exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery.

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Let’s Rescue the Environment by Nancy Bruce

Nancy Bruce is a mixed media artist working primarily with recycled materials, things she has found, saved, and things that people have given her. Her artwork is on canvas or panels. Nancy is very much concerned with the condition of the climate. She says:

For me it is the most important of our many messes. Whatever else you may believe if we screw up the earth badly enough, we are all done for. I wonder where and how we will live if relentless wildfires and rising ocean levels consume the land that we are accustomed to living on. It may become impossible to have a fixed place to call home. The larger pieces in this show represent homes that we may one day find ourselves living in if we allow the environment to continue to deteriorate. The dark colors that I have used for most of the smaller ones represent the baked earth that may be in our future. At its birth our earth went through so much to become a place that we could call home. Why are we not doing a better job of taking care of it? The exhibit will be in the Port Gallery.
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ALL MEDIA SHOW

This exhibit is a focal point of all Art Works’ openings. It is a juried show with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The show is open to all artists and all mediums. There is no theme for this exhibit, anything goes, any medium. Call for entries is June 15th – July 15, 2024. Submit your entries through our online form. Check our website for details on submitting your artwork: Call for Entries This exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery.

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More Events at Art Works in July
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Figure Drawing Sessions
Join us for live figure drawing sessions the 1st and 3rd Sundays of July from 1 pm – 4 pm at Art Works. Hosted by RVA Thriving Artists. Click here for information.

RVA Thriving Artists Monthly Meet-up
It’s a meet-up. Network with other artists, exchange ideas, have a beverage and chill.
Location: Benchtop Brewing
July 18th, 6 pm – 7 pm.

National Watermelon Day
On July 31, it’s National Watermelon Day. Stop by the gallery for a slice of watermelon from a local farmer, enjoy the exhibits, scavenger hunt and chill with us. 11 am – 5 pm.