July – August 2026 Exhibits
Join us on July 24, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. at Art Works for the opening reception of our new exhibits!
Meet our featured artists, enjoy live music, and savor refreshments and libations sponsored by RVA Thriving Artists.Step into Sacred Queerness: Nature, Spirituality, and the Queer Experience in the main gallery — a powerful exhibition benefiting Virginia Pride through sales from this show.
Also on view: solo exhibitions by T. Parker, Justin White, and Mandy Powell, the Community Bridge Project, and a brand-new All Media Show highlighting local talent.
This event is free and open to the public. Convenient and free parking is available. The exhibits will continue through August 22, 2026. Sacred Queerness: Nature, Spirituality, and the Queer Experience continues through September 19, 2026.
Sacred Queerness: Nature, Spirituality and the Queer Experience
Sacred Queerness is an installation that transforms nature into both a real environment and a place of queer possibility. Inspired by Thoreau’s Walden and the way time in the woods can change us, the show welcomes visitors into a forest-garden setting filled with art and interactive elements. Here, themes like transition, androgyny, and fluid identity come to life through creative expression.
At its core, the exhibition asks: Is nature really binary? The artists involved build spaces that celebrate resilience and community, showing the many ways queer people connect with, interpret, and reshape both the natural world and the spiritual one.
The exhibition will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works and will continue through September 19, 2026, and will benefit Virginia Pride through sales from this show.
Painting by Zach Barnard
This is What I see by T. Parker
T. Parker is a storyteller deeply intrigued by human behavior. Each project begins with careful observation—studying subjects through their body language, clothing, the rhythm of their surroundings, and the authenticity of their experiences. Through paint, clay, and collage, Parker translates these impressions into visual form.
The exhibit will be in the Port I Gallery at Art Works through August 22, 2026.
Face Value by Justin White
Justin White is a visual artist from Chesapeake, Virginia. A 2006 graduate of William & Mary with degrees in Art and English, he has built a focused studio practice recognized in national portrait, figure, and open competitions, as well as through publication features. Justin White approaches portraiture as an act of creation, blending realism with imagination. His detailed paintings capture the individuality of his subjects while placing them in surreal, story-rich settings that invite viewers to see beyond likeness into the spirit of each person.
The exhibit will be in the Port II Gallery at Art Works through August 22, 2026.
Journey of Resilience by Mandy Powell
Journey of Resilience reflects Mandy Powell’s belief in art as a path to healing and renewal. Through layers of color, texture, and mixed media, she translates personal experiences of loss, illness, and recovery into visual form. Her paintings celebrate strength, gratitude, and the human capacity to find light in challenging times, inviting viewers to connect through shared emotions and hope.
The exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through August 22, 2026.
The 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. The program provides guidance on developing a theme, creating a cohesive body of work, preparing for exhibition, and promoting the show.
July 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. There is no theme this month. Call for entries is June 15 – July 12, 2026, and may be submitted through the online form.
The exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through August 20, 2026. Check our website for details on submitting artwork: Call for Entries
