October and November 2026 Exhibits
Save the date for our 4th Friday Reception on October 23, 2026. Embrace the Halloween spirit by dressing up in your favorite costume and join us for an unforgettable evening as we unveil our latest art exhibits. Immerse yourself works by Sky Dai, Alfonso Perez Acosta, Johnye Bennett, Lew Lott, Unmask curated by Susan Vaugh. The All Media Show features art by local artists. Meet the talented artists, and enjoy live music, refreshments, and libations sponsored by RVA Thriving Artists. Don’t miss out on this night of art and enchantment!
This event is free and open to the public. Convenient and free parking is available. The exhibits will continue through November 14, 2026.
Espiral Azul / Blue Spiral by Sky Dai
Sky Dai’s surreal figurative oil paintings channel visions from psychic intuition, plant medicine ceremonies, dreams, and memory. Influenced by how trauma fragments perception, Dai distorts form and perspective to create portals into imaginative worlds. Her recent work, inspired by Hurricane Helene’s destruction, explores water spirits, climate change, and the idea of home—both domestic and planetary. The exhibition includes a large oil painting, smaller works, and a ceramic installation.
The exhibition will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works and will continue through November 14,2026.
Interdepending by Alfonso Perez Acosta
Colombian artist Alfonso Pérez Acosta, based in Richmond, Virginia, bridges art and education through community-driven projects and contemporary drawing. His work blends multimedia expression with healing practices, seen in projects such as Settling Tables with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the Together We Rise mural for Mending Walls, and the Casa Lápiz program at the Sacred Heart Center. For this exhibition, Pérez Acosta presents drawings and paintings derived from his recent murals, reimagining the figures of his public art in more intimate compositions and personal palettes that explore connection, transformation, and inner balance.
The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through November 14, 2026.
Rooted In Color by Johnye Bennett
In Rooted in Color, Johnye Bennett paints with the joyful curiosity of her inner child. Using bold colors and mixed media—acrylics, oils, pastels, and more—she expresses emotion, energy, and connection. Inspired by cultures around the world, Bennett’s art celebrates the beauty of being alive and the freedom found in creative expression.
This exhibit will be in the Port I Gallery at Art Works through November 14, 2026.
More Acknowledgements by Lew Lott
Lew Lott—an award-winning multimedia artist—believes craft becomes art when it rises from the unconscious and transcends the literal. His work often blends portraiture, nature, and dance, creating imagery that moves between the seen and the felt, inviting viewers into a space where intuition leads and meaning emerges.
The exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through November 14, 2026.
Unmask
Unmask, curated by Susan Vaugh, is a juried art exhibition bringing attention to mental illness and suicide by inviting artists to submit work that reflects their own or a loved one’s experience, with the option of including a personal statement displayed alongside the art. Now in its biennial year, Unmask was created by three artist friends who lost a sister and dear friend to suicide after a brief episode of mental illness; Sally was a vibrant, successful, and deeply loved teacher whose life and friendships in the Richmond and Virginia Beach communities inspired many. Through honest artistic expression, Unmask seeks to reduce stigma, foster empathy, and open meaningful conversation around mental health.
This exhibit benefits National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The exhibit will be in the Port II Gallery at Art Works through November 14, 2026.
October 2026 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. Call for entries is September 15 – October 11, 2026, and may be submitted through the online form. The exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through November 14, 2026.
Check our website for details on submitting artwork: Call for Entries