June – July 2026 Exhibits

Join us on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for an inspiring evening at Art Works as we unveil our newest exhibitions. Meet the artists, enjoy live music, refreshments, and libations sponsored by RVA Thriving Artists, and experience an exciting range of visual expression.

This month’s shows feature Heidi Peelen, whose mixed-media works explore domestic life and identity; a tribute to Joe DeIulio, celebrating his vibrant legacy of color and humor; and Diane Wilkin, whose pastels and monoprints capture the intricate rhythms of nature. Deborah Milan Brudvig translates her life in music into expressive abstract paintings, and the All Media Show highlights diverse works by local and regional artists.
In the Community Bridge Project, emerging Central Virginia artists continue to share new perspectives and creative growth.

The reception is free and open to the public, with convenient, free parking available. Exhibits continue through July 18, 2026.

Inherited Manners & Domestic Bliss by Heidi Peelen

Heidi Peelen, a mixed-media artist from Portsmouth, Virginia, explores the emotional landscape of domestic life through drawing, video, installation, and performance. Her work reflects on the roles of mother, wife, and caregiver—figures shaped by the ideals and expectations of suburban life. Using materials such as ballpoint pen, vinyl transfers, and layered video projections, Peelen creates intimate, thought-provoking vignettes that invite viewers to reflect on identity, gendered labor, and the quiet beauty found in everyday care.

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

Vivid: a Life in Color by Joe DeIulio

This exhibit celebrates the vibrant legacy of the late Joe DeIulio, whose art continues to pulse with life, humor, and heart. Known for his expressive brushwork, vivid color palettes, and bold black outlines, DeIulio transformed everyday subjects into spirited visual stories. From whimsical florals to dynamic portraits, his work radiates joy and emotional depth, capturing the beauty of human connection and the charm of the ordinary. Though he is no longer with us, DeIulio’s artistic voice lives on in each canvas—timeless, fearless, and unmistakably his own.

The exhibit will be in the Port I at Art Works through June 18, 2026.

Diane Wilkin Recent Works

Diane Wilkin is an artist and educator whose work captures the intricate rhythms of the natural world through pastels, monoprints, and mixed media. A native of Pennsylvania and a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she studied photography and printmaking, Wilkin brings an observant eye and a deep respect for nature’s design to her art. Now based in Virginia, she finds inspiration in the structures and contrasts of the natural world, often exploring how light and space define form. Working with soft pastels and clay monoprints, she creates large-scale pieces that reflect both the complexity and simplicity found in nature.

The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through July 18, 2026.

Abstracts from Classical Music by D. Milan Brudvig

Drawing on 40 years as a professional cellist, Deborah Milan Brudvig translates the experience of music into visual form. Her work captures the gestures, energy, and emotion of musical performance, reflecting everything from a single phrase to an entire movement. Through color, line, texture, and rhythm, her paintings convey music’s movement over time, inviting viewers to create their own internal musical experience regardless of familiarity with the original compositions.

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

June 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 May 15 – June 14, 2026, and may be submitted through the online form.

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

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. The program provides guidance on developing a theme, creating a cohesive body of work, preparing for exhibition, and promoting the show. Learn more.