March – April 2026 Exhibits

Art Works presents a dynamic lineup for March’s 4th Friday, featuring solo exhibitions by Ryan Lytle, Tammie Comer, Ann Chenoweth, Joseph Weller, and Raana Abtahi, along with the March All Media Show, a juried exhibition showcasing exceptional work by regional artists.

From surreal felted sculptures to intimate portraits of sisterhood, from a reflective retrospective to a collaborative installation confronting confinement, these exhibitions reveal the depth and diversity of contemporary art in Virginia.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday, March 27th, 6–8 p.m. to meet the artists, enjoy live music, and experience new works throughout the galleries. Admission is free and open to the public, with validated parking available.

Three Acts of Prey by Ryan Lytle

Hampton-based sculptor Ryan Lytle creates animal-inspired sculptures through the process of needle felting, transforming raw wool into forms that are at once surreal, inviting, and deeply human. While his figures take the shape of animals, they reflect human interactions, behaviors, and emotions, anthropomorphized into a symbolic visual language. Lytle earned his B.A. in Studio Art from Christopher Newport University and an MFA from the Rinehart School of Sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

The exhibition will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works through April 18, 2026.

She Is Me, I Am Her by Tammie Comer

In She Is Me, I Am Her, Tammie Comer explores identity through intimate scenes of everyday life. Her work captures the gestures, glances, and shared moments that define sisterhood — the ways women nurture, affirm, and reflect one another. Set in familiar spaces like salons, living rooms, and coffee shops, her portraits honor the beauty and complexity of Black womanhood. This exhibition celebrates recognition and belonging — seeing ourselves in one another and knowing our stories deserve to be witnessed.

The exhibition will be in the Port Gallery I at Art Works through April 18, 2026.

Ann Chenoweth 1952-2023:

A Life Full of Art

Ann Chenoweth was a Virginia-based artist whose drawings, paintings, and prints reflect a deep connection to the natural world. A graduate of VCU’s MFA program and a founding member of One-Off Printmakers, her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in numerous collections, including the U.S. Department of State’s Arts in Embassies program.

This retrospective honors Chenoweth’s life, artistry, and teaching legacy at the VMFA Studio School. Spanning early to late works, it reveals her blend of natural realism, symbolism, and emotional depth—celebrating an artist whose vision and mentorship continue to inspire. The exhibition will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through April 12, 2026.

Shared Air by Raana Abtahi

Raana Abtahi’s Shared Air explores the feeling of confinement—physical, mental, and emotional. Created in collaboration with youth in the juvenile justice system, the installation uses simple, recycled materials to reveal the tension between what’s inside and what’s outside. The work reflects on how grief, isolation, and loss of control build in closed spaces, where even the air feels heavy. It is an unflinching look at the raw intimacy of being trapped with oneself.

The exhibition will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through April 18, 2026.

March 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 this month. Call for entries is February 15 – March 15, 2026, and may be submitted through the online form.

The exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through April 16, 2026. Check our website for details on submitting artwork: Call for Entries

Route 66 by Joseph Weller

Joseph Weller’s Route 66 series celebrates small-town America through vivid, expressive paintings inspired by his travels and historical references. From diners and motels to classic Americana scenes, he transforms the familiar into the extraordinary using bold color, dynamic composition, and a mix of oil and graffiti spray paint. A lifelong traveler and UC Santa Cruz graduate with studies at Parsons in Paris and Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, Weller draws from his global experiences and American pop culture to blend traditional painting with graffiti techniques that capture color, light, and emotion.

The exhibit will be in the Port II Gallery at Art Works through Apil 18, 2026.

The Community Bridge Project

RVA Thriving Artists is excited to welcome a new artist to the Community Bridge Project. Emerging artists from Central Virginia—including those from underserved and marginalized communities, are encouraged to submit their proposals through the online application form. Selected artists will receive free exhibit space in the upstairs Bridge Project gallery at Art Works, along with mentorship and educational support.

Learn more at: RVA Thriving Artists website.