July – August @ Art Works!

Throughout July Art Works is open to the public, offering a variety of engaging exhibits. Adam and Anita Bradley present life-size figurative sculptures and paintings capturing a chaotic world. Mike Bily’s exhibit investigates ecosystems; Sharon Denmark captures light flowing through glass. Rachel Rowden exhibit is a portal of mysteries and Rebecca Visger provides a view from behind the wheel. And in the Community Bridge Project space, Blake Bottoms presents self-discovery themes.   Join us for a fun-filled scavenger hunt with prizes, perfect for both the young and the young at heart. The activity culminates with prizes for all who participate. We also offer two figure drawing sessions on the 1st and 3rd Sundays as well as Queer Life Drawing at Gold Lion Community Café on August 20^th.   Make a day of it by exploring the local eateries, including Continental, Stock, Pig and Brew, Iron Clad Pizza, Café Zata, and The Gold Lion.   Bradley + Bradley: The Weight of Vanishing Shadows Adam and Anita Bradley explore the human condition through their unique mediums. Adam presents life-sized figurative sculptures in wood, steel, ceramics, and smaller bronze pieces, reflecting themes of anxiety, loss, and grief. Anita complements this with layered paintings and mixed media collages, capturing the struggle for order in a chaotic world. Their intertwined approaches invite contemplation of deep human experiences.   The exhibition will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works and will continue through September 20, 2025. Abstract in Nature by Mike Bily Mike Bily’s exhibit invites you to explore the astonishing ecosystems beneath our feet, teeming with life as diverse as coral reefs and as complex as any environment on Earth. For billions of years, natural forces like wind, heat, and water have sculpted our world, creating awe-inspiring landscapes and hidden habitats. As an artist, Mike Bily’s work leans towards figurative art, often categorized as abstract realism or impressionism. His spontaneous depiction captures fleeting moments and passing messages for others to witness and enjoy.   The exhibit will be in the Port I Gallery at Art Works through August 16, 2025.     Found My Marbles by Sharon Denmark Sharon Denmark’s art exhibit invites you to experience the meditative process of painting through her eyes. Working with acrylics and oils, Sharon captures the world’s intricate forms, from the curl of water to light filtering through glass. Her marble paintings, inspired by her late mother’s vintage collection, blend joy and nostalgia. Each piece reflects her deliberate choices in color and form, encouraging viewers to uncover the layers of story and emotion within her art. The exhibit will be in the Port II Gallery at Art Works through August 16, 2025.   It Is Caring For You by Rachel Rowden   Originally from California, Rachel Rowden has spent most of her adult life as a teacher and clinician. In 2023, she discovered Nicholas Wilton’s Creative Visionary Program, which sparked a newfound passion for painting every day. Now residing in central Virginia with an ever-growing menagerie of rescue cats, Rachel’s artist statement reflects her unique approach to art. She believes that making art does not have to express personal thoughts or feelings; instead, it serves as a meditation on life and the unending decisions we make subconsciously. For Rachel, art becomes a portal into the mysteries that surround us, offering a wonderful gift and an absolute surprise with each creation.   The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through August 16, 2025. It’s All Ahead of Us by Rebecca Visger Rebecca Visger’s exhibit showcases impasto and impressionistic acrylic paintings of road scenes and views from behind the wheel. This series explores the road as a metaphor for the infinite potential and possibilities ahead. The paintings reflect the excitement and fear of new experiences, symbolizing both independence and the isolation of choosing one’s own path.   The exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through August 16, 2025.  

July 2025 All Media Show

  This exhibit is a focal point of all Art Works’ openings. It is a juried show with cash prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place. The show is open to all artists and all mediums. There is no theme this month. Call for entries is June 15 – July 13, 2025, and may be submitted through the online form. The juror will be Naomi Chung–an award-winning painter with an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania and a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, represented by the Gross McCleaf Gallery in Philadelphia for over 20 years, and affiliated with the Art Registry Group in Washington, DC.   The exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through August 14, 2025. Check our website for details on submitting artwork:  Call for Entries The Bridge Project – Blake Bottoms   RVA Thriving Artists introduces Blake Bottoms in the most current Community Bridge Project.   Blake Bottoms explores identity, self-discovery, and transformation through watercolor, using botanical symbolism to reflect human experience. Pieces like Nexus, Entwined, and Jesus Hands examine intersectionality, intimacy, and non-binary identity, while Metamorphoses and Dionysus celebrate transformation and fluid self-expression.  Through these works, the artist fosters dialogue on authenticity and introspection. This exhibit is in the upstairs Bridge Project space at Art Works and will continue through August 30, 2025.