Art
Artistic touch: no shortage of galleries in Charlottesville
Fralin Museum of Art, 155 Rugby Road- Formerly the UVA Art Museum and before that, the Bayly, it was renamed a month before Roanoke-based Heywood Fralin became the hero in UVA's presidential crisis by leading the charge to reinstate Teresa Sullivan. Fralin is giving his Ashcan School collection to UVA's flagship art palace, which mixes archival holdings with traveling presentations– with as many as three shows at any given time. Tu-Sun, noon-5pm. 924-3592.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, 400 Worrell Dr.- The name pretty much says it: Charlottesville's own little outback for Aboriginal artwork. Free guided tour on Saturdays at 10:30am. Tu-Sat, 10am-4pm / Sun 1-5pm. 244-0234.
Piedmont Virginia Community College Galleries, College Dr.- During the academic year, the North and South Galleries of the V. Earl Dickinson Building serve up imaginative group exhibitions as well as showcases of noteworthy individual artists. Always worth the trip up the hill! When school is in session, Mon-Fri, 7:30am-10pm. In the summer, Mon-Th, 8am-6pm. 961-5381.
The Second Street Gallery, 115 2nd St. SE.- With its move to the City Center for the Arts, SSG added the Dové Gallery, suitable for installations and video projects, to its main exhibition space. Cutting-edge contemporary art by regional, national, and international artists comes in monthly doses. Tu-Sat, 11am-6pm. 977-7284.
McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St. NW- Located in the building once housed McGuffey Elementary School, the classrooms now serve as studios for local artists. A nonprofit for over 30 years, McGuffey offers rotating shows in its main gallery, as well as in the upstairs and downstairs halls. It also hosts the annual "Charlottesville in 2D" and high school students' art shows (both not to be missed). Tu-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun 1-5pm. 295-7973.
Les Yeux du Monde, 841 Wolf Trap Road- This gallery leans toward sophisticated single-artist shows, with an occasional group event. A favorite exhibit space for regional artists and UVA art faculty, Les Yeux du Monde is located in a striking W.C. Clark–designed building with spectacular views both inside and out. Th–Sun, 1-5pm. 973-5566.
UVA Ruffin Hall Galleries, 179 Culbreth Road- Ruffin Hall is the home to UVA's McIntire School of Art. The third floor houses a formal gallery with rotating shows curated by Art faculty members, and the ground floor offers the "RuffStuff" Gallery, a more informal space for students with special projects. Student art work also hangs in the halls and classrooms are open with works-in-progress. Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm. 924-6123.
The Niche in the Fine Arts Library, Fiske Kimball Fine Arts Library on Bayly Dr.- A large, flat-screen monitor, an Apple computer, headphones, and comfy chairs make for a small gallery screening experimental film and video works by artists from across the country. Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm. 924-6938.
The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, 209 Monticello Road- The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative not only offers rotating exhibits in its flexible gallery space, it also sponsors and collaborates on numerous community projects that use the arts to educate and get people involved. Plus, it offers film screenings, poetry readings, and music performances. Wed-Sat, 12-3pm. 984-5669.
The Garage, located on 1st St. between Market and Jefferson Streets. Although itty-bitty, this art space located in a refurbished garage features some of the most cutting-edge shows in the 'ville. Hours by appointment. http://thegarage-cville.com/.
Chroma Projects Art Laboratory, 418 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall- Located in an old flower shop, Chroma Projects offers monthly exhibitions in its front space, as well as a warren of nooks showcasing individual artists. Owner and curator Deborah McCleod's eye for contemporary work is always interesting. Wed–Sat, 11am-5pm. 202-0269.
Warm Springs Gallery, 103 Third St. NE- This well-curated venue features beautifully executed, if somewhat traditional, work by national and international artists. Monthly shows generally pair a sculptor or object-maker with a painter. Th–Sat, 11am-5pm. 245-0800.
WVTF and Radio IQ Studio, 216 W. Water St.- Overseen by the New City Arts organization, this small venue showcases single-artist exhibitions that rotate on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, apart from the First Friday opening, an appointment must be made to visit the shows. .
Angelo, 220 E. Main St.- A fine jewelry store with an artistic bent that displays always-interesting art exhibits on a bi-monthly basis. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm. 971-9256.
Elmaleh Gallery at the UVA School of Architecture. Campbell Hall, Rugby Road - The architecture school's tiny gem of a display space on the second floor of Campbell Hall. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. 924-3715.
Dean's Gallery at the UVA School of Architecture. Campbell Hall, Rugby Road - Another space in the architecture school that offers rotating shows. Be forewarned: the gallery literally extends into the Dean's office. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. 924-3715.
Mudhouse, 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall- Students and other local artists find plenty of hang-space for work that resonates with the coffeeshop's eclectic crowd. Mon-Thurs, 6:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 6:30am-11pm; Sun 7am-7pm. 984-6833.
C&O Gallery, 515 E. Water St.- Tiny but classy gallery next to the tiny but classy restaurant. Showcases local artists. Available for private parties. All week 9am-10pm or by appointment. 971-7044.
BozArt, 211 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall- A collective and a retail space, which merged with Art Upstairs in early 2011, Bozart splits the difference between local art and craftwork. Group and individual member exhibits rotate on a monthly basis. Wed-Th, 3-9pm; Fri-Sat, noon-9pm; Sun, 1-4pm. 296-3919.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, 717 Rugby Road- In addition to spiritual duties, the TJMCUU (that's Unitarian Universalist) displays art. Openings usually fall on the second Sunday of the month and follow morning services. Any other day of the month, call ahead for a viewing appointment. 293-8179.
Café Cubano, 112 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall- This coffeeshop/restaurant offers plenty of wallspace for local artists' exhibits. Sun-Wed, 6:30am-5pm; Th-Sat, 6:30am-7pm. 971-8743.
C'ville Arts, 118 E. Main on the Downtown Mall- Also an artisans' cooperative featuring dozens of local artists, it frequently invites featured artists in for hands-on sessions. Mon-Th, 10am-6pm; Fri, 10am-9pm; Sat, 10am-8pm; and Sun, noon-6pm. 972-9500.
C'ville Coffee, 1301 Harris St.- Yet another café where you can get your caffeine and visual fixes in one fell swoop. Features a small play area for kiddies. Community-oriented art changes monthly. Mon-Th, 7:30am-9pm; Fri, 7:30am-5pm; Sat, 8:30am-5pm; Sun, 9:30am-8pm. 817-2633.
Firefish Gallery, 108 Second St. NW -Local hand-made items in their retail store, resident artists working in open spaces, and a concept of making art accessible, approachable, and affordable.
Telegraph, 110 Fourth St. NE. - Focusing primarily on high quality prints, Telegraph's goal is to present the works of emerging artists in contemporary, illustrative, narrative, and pop art fields in an accessible and affordable format. 244-3210.
CitySpace, 100 5th St. NE. - A city-owned meeting space managed by Piedmont Council for the Arts, on behalf of the City of Charlottesville. 971-2787.
The Garden, 1500 Jefferson Park Ave. - An art gallery located within Eunoia, a creative collegiate ministry at UVA. They host art shows for students during the school year and for local artists during the summer. 977-8743.
The Honeycomb, 310 E. Market St. -
BON, 100 W. South St. - An opening for creative events of all kinds. They offer fine coffees, teas and food.
->>For other museums in this area, see our Attractions section and our Kids Stuff section.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS VENUES- The following host sporadic shows that change unpredictably. Call first.
Eloise, 505 W. Main St. 295-3905.
Speak! Language Center, 313 Second St. SE, Suite 109 (in the Glass Building). 245-8255.
Spring Street, 107 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 975-1200.
The New Dominion Book Shop, 404 E. Main St. 295-2552.
Fellini's #9, 200 Market St. 979-4279
Martha Jefferson Hospital, 500 Martha Jefferson Dr., 982-7000
Sidetracks Music, 216 Water St., 295-3080
WriterHouse, 508 Dale Ave., 296-1922
Main Street Annex, 230 W Main St., 817-2400
A must know
For art lovers, the place to be is First Fridays, held on the first Friday of every month. Area galleries, including the art epicenter–McGuffey Art Center– throw open their doors with welcoming smiles and a little wine and cheese.
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