October and November 2024 Exhibits

Winter is approaching. Soon days will be short and nights long. We are inviting our guests to go up in the attic and dust off their scariest Halloween get-up and join us for the 4th Friday reception in October from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. It’s not all scary stuff, as we are also inviting children to an artful scavenger hunt. Wear a costume and you will be entered in a drawing for the door-prize.

Exhibits include What Once Was, Still Is, Just Different by Joshua Leland Yurges, The Altar America Project, Textile Tales of Interiors by Sarah Wiley, Nothing is Static. Even the Mona Lisa is falling apart by Crystal James, and Dark Art—an all-media juried by Noah Scalin.

Please join us for the opening reception is Friday, October 25th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Enjoy music, refreshments, and libations. And wear your favorite Halloween costume. There will be prizes and a fun scavenger hunt.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is free.  Admission to the art center is free, always.

What Once Was, Still Is, Just Different by Joshua Leland Yurges

Think about it. Everything that ever was on earth is still here—fascinating. The 130-140 million people born each year—all matter, changing shape—a constant evolution of material.

Much of Joshua Leland Yurges’ art is the result of repetitive acts of measuring, cutting and assembling tiny slats of recycled wood. In his paintings and wall sculptures he enjoys the meditative process of pattern in the many ways it can manifest; stripes, a series of boxes, making the same cut five hundred times in a row.

Life is always providing material and ideas for me to use and expand upon. It is my job to see the spark, make the connection, and explore what could be. Never stop being curious.

Textile Tales of Interiors by Sarah Wiley

With a passion for interior design and all things miniature, Sarah Wiley brings these interests together and creates rooms in miniature. By repurposing interior design memo samples and used fabrics, she creates a composition. The details build slowly as she assembles, chooses, and places each successive piece of fabric.

Textile Tales of Interiors invites viewers to explore the combination of art and interior design through the medium of fabric.

 The Altar America Project

More than an art show, this is a festival of cross-cultural ancestor remembrance celebration inspired by Dia de los Muertos and many other ancestor remembrance celebrations from around the world.

Cultures worldwide have numerous ancestor remembrance traditions, but America does not, particularly because American ethnocide has not wanted people of color to collectively gather, remember their past, and retell their stories. Ethnocide is the destruction of culture while keeping the people. Art Works issued an altars call-for-entries for this exhibit to create altars. The aim is for the greater RVA community to see these examples, and become inspired to engage in their own, culturally relevant acts of remembrance. This exhibit will be in the Port Galleries.

Contributing Artists: Janine Bell, Muzi Branch, Ingram Brown, Merenda Cecelia, Frederick Chiriboga, Richard Harding, John Latell, Nadiya Nacorda, Mary Riley, Christopher Flowers, Zaza Willis, Eric Westra, and CRIMEBABIES: Momin Khan, Ginna Lambert, Jeremy Mazza, Tyler Rhodes, and Rachel Sheeran

DARK ART ALL MEDIA ART SHOW 

This exhibit is a focal point of all Art Works’ openings. In October the theme is “dark art”. After all it is Halloween, and a spooky exhibit seems fitting. Noah Scalin juried the exhibit.

1st Place Priscilla Simpson – Man, Acrylic and Oil on Canvas, 20 x 20 $410

2nd Place Kiersten Thomas – As Within, Ink, Gold Foil, Acrylic on Paper, 15.75×12.75 $2000

3rd Place Charles Sthreshley – Baby Rage 2, Concrete, Steel, 16 x 9 x 13, $198

Honorable Mention Robert Anderson – Haunted, Acrylic Paint, 9×12, $150

Click here to see and print the: Catalog October 2024 All Media Show

GRAPHIC ODYSSEY

This exhibit features a group of artists working in Richmond, Virginia who use graphic and comic art for visual storytelling. This versatile fine art medium combines visual storytelling with creative illustration. Often expressed through sequential images, it uses detailed line work, expressive characters, and dynamic layouts to convey narratives, emotions, and actions. Graphic and comic artists blend traditional techniques such as inking and hand-drawing with modern digital tools, resulting in visually striking works that span genres, from humor and fantasy to social commentary. This art form captures the imagination while offering a unique, accessible way to explore complex themes and ideas.

Featuring: Emily Dolganski, lestkitty, Oura Sanaikone, N Blake Seals, and 24×4

Nothing is Static. Even the Mona Lisa is falling apart by Crystal James

Crystal James’ art delves into the themes of youth and beauty, food, and death.

Youth and beauty are often seen as synonymous, but beauty goes beyond the surface level. When depicting youthful subjects Crystal captures the essence of the subject’s innocence, curiosity, and wonder. Crystal celebrates the beauty that comes from living in the present moment, unencumbered by the weight of past experiences.

The exhibit is in the Centre Gallery through November 9, 2024.