At Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, the focus is on living art and accessibility to consumers both in the gallery and through their online shop, Artistica. Michelline Hall, chief programming officer, explains their place in the art world: “We’re an art center. Our pieces are museum-worthy, but we’re dealing with living artists who are creating and producing now. These are pieces that have an impact on their community.”
“Everyone has a sort of relationship to an art piece. We’re that bridge between the art and the consumer,” adds A’Nyeja Adams, online curator. She recalls a woman who wanted a piece for her home, specifically a scenic view. Similar to many Artistica customers, she was design-focused, but it goes deeper than filling a need.” Adams felt they wanted something nuanced, that they could feel in the space.
“We have an artist Laren Baum who does landscapes in vibrant colors—I could see how that would both connect with her and brighten her space,” Adams says.
That’s their goal in curating art that speaks to first time and longtime collectors alike, particularly when it comes to design-focused art decisions. “What we do is a lot of listening,” says Hall. “We find creative ways to create harmony with the pieces they already have.” Artistica.Shop

Artistica’s shop features work by Virginia artists in a variety of mediums. Pictured here, painter Kevin Chadwick’s
“The Golden Robe”


This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue.