June – July @ Art Works!

Throughout June and July Art Works is open to the public, offering a variety of engaging exhibits. The exhibits will challenge your perspectives on traditional artmaking, AI art creation, cinematic art influences, and abstract mark-making. Discover Richard Harding’s intricate textile sculptures, Robert Pfeifer’s captivating photography capturing the hidden beauty and life that flourishes in the dark, Corinne Schofield’s abstract interpretations of organic matter, and the innovative CRIMEBABIES AI exhibit. Celebrated artist Çagla Kurtuluş will showcase contemporary Turkish art. 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. Make a day of it by exploring the local eateries, including Continental, Stock, Iron Clad Pizza, Café Zata, and The Gold Lion Community Café. Convenient and free parking is available. The exhibits will continue through July 19, 2025. ________________________________________ CRIMEBABIES Join CRIMEBABIES for an immersive exploration of the spaces between truth and illusion. This exhibition invites the viewer to try and unravel the tangled web of cryptids, misinformation, and the eerie interconnectedness of all things, blurring the lines between the real and the imagined. Through digital media, AI, interactive installations, and speculative storytelling, the collective conjures a world where myth takes shape and perception is forever unsettled. Step inside and question what you think you know—because in this shifting landscape, certainty is the rarest anomaly of all. CRIMEBABIES formed in 2022 in Richmond, VA. The art collective consists of 8 members working in new media, exploring new technology’s role in other long-existing art forms. By folding the new into the old, and the old into the new, CRIMEBABIES sees art as a tool to expose the art world to its own insecurities about art’s evolution, as it comes face to face with the unruly power of machine learning. The exhibition will be in the Jane Sandelin Gallery at Art Works and will continue through July 19, 2025. ________________________________________ Light Entwined by Richard Harding Discover the mesmerizing interplay of light and texture in Richard Harding’s Light Entwined. This exhibit features soft sculptures made from thread, twine, and rope, showcasing vessels containing light, skeletal structures casting shadows, and reflective materials. Inspired by nature, Harding’s organic forms blend basketry and pottery, inviting viewers to explore the seamless integration of light and shadow in his innovative fiber arts The exhibit will be in the Port II Gallery at Art Works through July 19, 2025. ________________________________________   Night Life by Robert Pfeifer Richard Pfeifer’s exhibit explores the vibrant world of night, capturing its unique blend of color, light, and human experiences. Through his artwork, he reveals the hidden beauty and life that flourish in the dark. This show celebrates the transformative power of night, inviting viewers to appreciate the magic of the world after dusk. The exhibit will be in the Centre Gallery at Art Works through July 19, 2025. ________________________________________ Hidden Pieces by Corinne Schofield Hidden Pieces is a mesmerizing collection that weaves a familiar thread through Corrine Schoefield’s artistic journey. These works delve into the enchanting dance of organic movement, inspired by the gentle flow of flowering petals. Through abstract forms and a monochromatic palette, each piece captures nature’s delicate essence, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the subtle, yet profound, beauty of simplicity. The exhibit will be in the Corner Gallery at Art Works through July 19, 2025. ________________________________________ Cagla Kurtulus Recent Work Çagla Kurtuluş, once a pioneering fashion model and founder of Turkey’s first modeling agencies, is a celebrated artist whose work embodies a lifelong dedication to creativity and cultural expression. Educated at prestigious institutions, including Yale and Mimar Sinan University, her journey through art has been guided by renowned mentors and extensive training. Since shifting to her artistic career in 2000, she has showcased her work in numerous exhibitions and continues to create in her Kemerburgaz studio, contributing significantly to contemporary Turkish art. The exhibit will be in the Port Gallery at Art Works through July 19, 2025. ________________________________________ June 2025 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 15, 2025, and may be submitted through the online form. The juror is Chelsea Lee, a Richmond-based artist. She holds an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BFA from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She currently teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Martha Washington, and Brightpoint Community College. The exhibit will be in the Skylight Gallery at Art Works through July 17, 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.