May 2024 Exhibits

The annual Maggie Walker Governor’s School Senior Art Exhibit opens at Art Works on May 10th. Jeff Hall provides the inspiration and guidance for the visual art students at Maggie L. Walker where he supports a broad range of experiences in both two and three dimensions and a wide variety of media. The students present their work at a reception on May 10th, 6- 8 p.m. The show continues through May 18, 2024. The exhibit will be in the main gallery.

On the evening of May 24, 2024, thanks to Katrina Walker and a host of visual and performing artists, Richmond art lovers will experience digital, interactive sculpture and a perfect storm of artwork, dance, and live music. What is digital interactive sculpture? The answer is: it depends. Like the theory of relativity, it depends on where you stand—what you see is different from the person next to you, or across the room from you. In this exhibit, you will get a chance to immerse yourself in the exhibit—become integrated into art.

Speaking of integration, Mike Bily through his explorations of greenhouse conservatories discovered that as living beings, plants can be interpreted as extensions of our environment or of ourselves. His exhibit, Planet Plant: Taming the Wild shares the deeply personal mystery of plants. Mariia Svdidan brings us All the Things that Matter. Also, Mark Eanes’ exhibit, Endeavors opens. And of course, there is the monthly All Media Show—a focal point of 4th Fridays and showcases art by local artists.

The opening reception is May 24, 2024 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Parking is free at the Railway Museum (on 2nd and Hull). Also garage parking is available on East 5th Street. Ask in the office for a parking validation ticket. The event is free and open to the public.

Mirrors: The Intersection of Movement, Music, and Introspection curated by Katrina Walker 

What is digital interactive sculpture? The answer is: it depends. Like the theory of relativity, it depends on where you stand—what you see is different from the person next to you, or across the room from you. And not in a metaphorical way, but the actual mechanics of your eyes and workings of the sculpture. But wait, immerse yourself in the exhibit—become part of it. You will get a chance to have yourself projected and integrated, becoming part of the artwork.

This exhibit, curated by Katrina Walker, is an art exhibit featuring a digital, interactive sculpture and (on opening night) a perfect storm of art, dance, and live music.

One day Katrina Walker wrote down in detail a vision, a dream that wouldn’t let her go. The symbolism of introspection inspired her so deeply that she wanted others to experience it. So, to make the dream a reality, she sought to bring gifted strangers with larger-than-life talent together for one night only.

On the evening of May 24th, Richmond art lovers will experience an undeniably rare collaboration. The exhibit continues through June 22nd and visitors are invited to interact and create their own “reflections” and “see” themselves in a new way.

The exhibit uses a theme of mirrors as a symbol of self-reflection and introspection. As you participate, investigate the borderline and contrasts between digital and analog worlds, the virtual and physical experience. Investigate order versus chaos. The first of this series, Rozin’s Wooden Mirror explores the inner workings of image creation and human visual perception.

Contributors are:

Danny Rozin, an educator and award-winning artist, creates awe-inspiring, interactive sculptures and digital art. He is a professor at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

Fabian Almazan, recently accepted into Harvard University, is a Grammy-nominated jazz pianist/composer who promotes the understanding of (and positive impact on) the interdependence and connectedness among humans and our planet.

Radio B is a revered emcee, entrepreneur, and purveyor of excellence. He builds organizations and platforms that entertain, nurture artists’ growth, and enrich hip-hop culture.

Roberto Whitaker aka Aero, da Avatar, a hip-hop artist/rapper, and choreographer/dancer, is a compelling storyteller who has danced with the Hiplet Ballerinas dance company, the Latin Ballet of Virginia and with (and in tribute to) the renowned duo, Les Twins.

Kat Vivaldi is a talented artist and filmmaker with experience in feature films and a background in interactive digital art.

Treen (organizer) developed a love for the arts at a young age in the public school system. She played in the symphonic band, orchestra, jazz band, marching band, the pit orchestra for plays/musicals, sang in gospel choirs and continued music education in college (major in business/minor in music).

Mary Puart is a Vaganova Ballet Academy graduate and has performed, danced and choreographed all over the world. In her vlog, Mary explores topics such as certain harmful aspects of ballet culture and extreme body standards. She is a compassionate advocate for a healthy (non-toxic) pursuit of artistry.

The exhibit and experience will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery.

Planet Plants: Taming the Wild by Mike Bily

In this exhibit Mike Bily takes us with him on an exploration of greenhouse conservatories. During the pandemic there was an upswing in the popularity of plants and gardens and so it was for Bily. Visiting a botanical conservatory during the fall and winter months shelters the visitor, but the plantings and foliage present a striking contrast against the clear cerulean sky. The natural light through the pane glass is wonderful! Visual art naturally belongs in a vibrant garden conservatory. Mike Bily captured this in his paintings.

He discovered that as living beings, plants can be interpreted as extensions of our environment or of ourselves. Meanwhile, the effects of climate change materialized in the form of wildfires and more frequent natural disasters. In an uncertain environment, living material—or its likeness—has proven a useful medium with powerful creative imagery.

Bily sees container plants as a metaphor for the way we try to constrain nature and present only the best version of it. Plants are mysterious, but also deeply personal. Unlike other media of cultural creation, we absorb them into our bodies, and that allows them different recurrence of meaning for us.

All the Things that Matter by Mariia Sveidan

All the Things That Matter is a journey of life. Mariia Sveidan describes this:

Battling past pain, inner demons, depression, and trauma. Going through a path of enlightenment, you can see pain but at the same time there is the presence of hope and healing. Healing can have many colors; it can be in the form of blossoming flowers, or a walk through a garden, rich and flourishing. It’s a dance of the moon, the sun and nature. After pain comes anger, after anger comes acceptance, afterwards comes the feeling of letting go, then comes forgiveness, until finally you are healed. Healing is a journey, an emotional, mental, and spiritual one where all chakras have healed and found balance, all traumas found peace, where the heart has been purified and the third eye is beaming with light. That’s when the body and soul become one, one unity, one light, one source. This exhibit is about my journey to attain hope, healing, peace and enlightenment; with vibrant colors and expressive brush strokes.

Endeavors by Mark Eanes

Mark Eanes is a painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator who currently lives and works in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to living in Virginia, Mark lived in the Bay Area of California since 1970. He holds a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Eanes is Professor Emeritus from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, where he taught drawing and painting courses for over thirty-three years. His list of accomplishments is long and impressive: teaching at many art institutes, chair of the Visual Arts Department at CalArts, and conducting private lessons and workshops throughout California and Italy.

He talks about his process.

As a painter I’ve always enjoyed looking at the world in all its richness and complexity…then giving expression to those glimpses. However, in recent years I have turned to photography as well – to exercise and strengthen another muscle for seeing. To capture a specific moment in time that no one else sees, or will ever see, is rewarding beyond words. Whenever I travel with the camera, I feel alert, awake, and aware of all that is before me. My painting process consists of many layers…time and material. When I’m in the studio nothing else matters. Time is irrelevant. No plans for the future, no past regrets. I’ll put on some great tunes turn it up loud and break out the color, the tubes, brushes, and rags. Then enter a new piece with ferocity and abandon. After awhile…. I’ll sit back and just look. Turn the piece upside down, then dive in again. I enjoy moving from knowing to not knowing. From reckless abandon to careful consideration. It is never boring or tedious for I feel as though I am always betting the house on the final outcome. My favorite moment is when the conversation is over. And that can take days, weeks, even months. But to know there is nothing more to be done, that everything I could possibly say has been said, and at last I can step away and think to myself, it works.

May 2024 ALL MEDIA ART 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. Ashe Laughlin was the juror for the exhibit. This exhibit will be in the Skylight gallery.

• 1st Place: Smooth Criminal by M Sebastian Beckner, Photography, 22×22, $100
• 2nd Place: Laundry Day by Rebecca Visger, Acrylic on Wood Panel,  11×14, $155
• 3rd Place: Like A Fish Out of Water by Jim Whalen , Mixed Media – Acrylic Skins on Canvas, 26 x 20, $525
• Honorable Mention: Esophus View by Jill Novak, Oil on Canvas, 20×26, $1250

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