May – June 2027 Exhibits

May starts early at Art Works and builds toward a 4th Friday filled with new exhibitions.

We begin with the Maggie Walker Governor’s School Senior Art Exhibit and a special reception celebrating the graduating artists. Later in the month, 4th Friday brings a new mix to the galleries—from ceramics and fiber art to layered abstractions and paintings exploring identity, memory, and the open road. The May All Media Show and a new Community Bridge Project artist add even more to see.

Join us for 4th Friday on May 28 from 6–8 p.m. Meet the artists, explore the exhibitions, and enjoy live music. The reception is free and open to the public, and parking is free.

The art center is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 am – 5 pm and it’s free and open to the public. Enjoy the exhibits and have lunch in Manchester RVA.

Maggie Walker Governor’s School Senior Art Exhibit

Graduating visual arts students from Maggie Walker Governor’s School present work representing their creativity, ideas, and years of study. Guided by Jeff Hall, the students work across painting, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, and more. A catalog created by the students accompanies the exhibition and offers another look at their artistic journeys.
Join us for a special opening reception on May 8 from 6–8 p.m. to meet the artists and celebrate their work.

The exhibit will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works through May 15, 2027.

RVA Clay Tour Preview Exhibition

RVA Clay members are presenting a lively look at what artists can do with clay. From functional pottery to sculptural work, the exhibition brings together a wide range of styles, techniques, and ideas, reflecting the creativity of Richmond’s growing ceramics community.

RVA Clay connects ceramic artists throughout the region through exhibitions, studio tours, and community programs. The exhibit will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works through June 19, 2027.

What Holds Us Together Curated by Felicia L. Reed

In What Holds Us Together, artists piece, stitch, layer, and assemble works using fiber, collage, found objects, and mixed media. Separate and sometimes fragile materials are transformed into something stronger, exploring what holds us together—our connections to one another, to memory, and to place.

Curated by Felicia L. Reed, the exhibition looks closely at the seams where things meet and the ways belonging and connection take shape.

The exhibit will be in the Port I and Port II galleries at Art Works through June 19, 2027.

On the Road by Devan Lassiter

In On the Road, cars become symbols of masculinity, memory, and identity. Growing up trans and queer, the artist was drawn to old cars and trucks and the men who kept them running—men with perpetually oil-stained hands and clothes who represented a masculinity they longed to embody.

The paintings feature vehicles connected to family and the places where the artist grew up, making the series both personal and nostalgic.

The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through June 19, 2027.

Look Deep Inside by Dan Thompson

In Look Deep Inside, Dan Thompson invites viewers to slow down and look closely. His layered abstract works combine bold color, texture, line, and found imagery, revealing unexpected details the longer you look. For Thompson, art and life are deeply connected, and these works encourage viewers to look beyond the surface and discover what emerges when they go deeper.

The exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through June 19, 2027.

May 2027 All Media Show

Each month Art Works invites artists to submit their work in an open call-for-entries. These exhibits are a focal point of all Art Works’ openings. There is no theme for this exhibit—so anything goes, any topic and any medium. This is a juried show with cash prizes. This exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through June 17, 2027.

Check our website to learn about submitting your artwork to the exhibit.

This image is by Dylan DeLuca submitted in last year’s exhibit.

The Community Bridge Project

RVA Thriving Artists welcomes Nadia Msaleka to the Community Bridge Project. Free exhibit space is provided 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. The exhibit continues through May 30, 2027.