July – August 2027 Exhibits
With summer in full swing, Art Works’ July 23 opening brings imaginative paintings, interactive art, and exhibitions that invite a closer look.
Coming Together continues with Alfonso Pérez Acosta’s installation of painted folding tables that visitors can rearrange as the exhibition unfolds. New shows range from Ken Slazyk’s imaginative paintings and Rachel Principe’s exploration of motherhood to Jovan Bethel’s richly layered mixed-media work. Shalaia Washington continues in the Community Bridge Project, and the July All Media Show brings its own mix of artwork to the galleries.
Join us for the 4th Friday reception on July 23 from 6–8 p.m. Meet the artists, explore the exhibitions, and enjoy live music. The reception is free and open to the public.
The art center is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 am – 5 pm and it’s free and open to the public. Enjoy the exhibits and have lunch in Manchester RVA.
Coming Together by Alfonso Pérez Acosta
In Coming Together, Alfonso Pérez Acosta explores how we connect across our differences. Paintings are joined by an installation of painted folding tables that are rearranged throughout the exhibition, creating new relationships and possibilities as the show unfolds. A Colombian-American artist based in Richmond, Alfonso Pérez Acosta brings together art and participation in work centered on community, connection, and the ways we gather.
The exhibit will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works through August 18, 2027.
Painting by Zach Barnard
Obscuraverse by Ken Slazyk
A frequent exhibitor in Art Works’ All Media Shows, Ken Slazyk presents Obscuraverse, a new body of imaginative paintings. This promises to be an extraordinary exhibition filled with distinctive imagery and plenty to discover.
The exhibit will be in the Port I Gallery at Art Works through August 18, 2027.
Held/Unheld by Rachel Principe
Rachel Principe explores the complex realities of motherhood and the ways it reshapes the self. Through her paintings, the artist examines the coexistence of joy and exhaustion, tenderness and depletion, and the loss of a former self alongside the emergence of new strength. Her work also draws on the experiences of other mothers to reflect the many truths of motherhood.
To Be Contin(h)ued… by Jovan Bethel
Jovan Bethel’s mixed media work uses layered symbolism, texture, pattern, and gesture to invite viewers to slow down and look closely. Every element is intentional, creating work that reveals itself gradually rather than all at once.
The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through August 21, 2027.
Top to Bottom by Mike Biley
In Top to Bottom, Mike Bily explores Earth’s physical geography through impressionistic painting. With spontaneous, alla prima brushwork, he moves from towering mountains to the depths of the sea, capturing the textures, colors, and natural beauty of the landscape.
The exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through August 21, 2027.
The Bridge Project
RVA Thriving Artists welcomes Shalaia Washington to the Community Bridge Project: She presents: Religion/Angels/Young Boys in the African American Community.
Free exhibit space is provided in the upstairs Bridge Project gallery at Art Works, along with mentorship and educational support. The program provides guidance on developing a theme, creating a cohesive body of work, preparing for exhibition, and promoting the show. The exhibit continues through August 31, 2027.
July 2027 All Media Show
Each month Art Works invites artists to submit their work in an open call-for-entries. These exhibits are a focal point of all Art Works’ openings. There is no theme for this exhibit—so anything goes, any topic and any medium. This is a juried show with cash prizes. This exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through August 19, 2027
Check our website to learn about submitting your artwork to the exhibit.
This image is by Taylor Straus submitted in last year’s exhibit.
