Art center connects artists with the community, works to inspire

Samantha Granados, Contributing Writer

The sound of live music and socialization filled the air as attendees and artists gathered at Art Works for its 4th Friday Art Show opening ceremony on Jan. 26.

The event debuted four new exhibitions that will continue through Feb. 17, according to the Art Works website. This past 4th Friday focused strictly on photography, including the “Simply Photography” exhibition, a juried exhibit by J. Molina-Garcia, two solo shows by Wendy Nelson and Grace Whitley and the monthly “All Media Show.”

Art Works launches four to six new exhibitions from different artists every fourth Friday of the month, according to Jessie Boyland, the gallery director of Art Works. The public is invited to come and meet the artists to talk about their work while enjoying live music and refreshments. The monthly events are free and start at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. 

Art Works, a full-service art center located in Manchester, is committed to being a community-centered resource for both artists and art enthusiasts, according to Boyland. In addition to the exhibitions offered, the art center includes 82 artist studios and they also host classes, workshops, mentorship programs and internships.

“We really try to plug into all the different ways that we can be a resource for artists and art lovers,” Boyland said. 

The goal of these art galleries and exhibitions is to connect the artist with the community, according to Boyland. Art Works hopes the art lovers who attend 4th Friday think it’s exciting to be able to meet the artists and tour the studios. 

“Hopefully people are inspired to make art or think about things in a new way,” Boyland said. “The purpose of art in general is to make people think.” 

Art Works hopes events like this give both upcoming and established artists the chance to receive recognition for their work and even make a sale, Boyland said. The art center strives to assist its artists every step of the way, whether it’s dealing with the placement of a piece or promoting exhibitions on social media. 

Molina-Garcia was selected as the juror for the “Simply Photography” exhibition as they have over a decade of artistic experience creating art that restores the spiritual life of queer and Latin American communities, according to Molina-Garcia. She specifically focuses on the diasporic communities of Central America and El Salvador in the United States. 

Photographers submitted their work for the “Simply Photography” exhibition in an open call-for-entries. Different pieces were then selected by Molina-Garcia for first, second and third-place cash prizes, according to Molina-Garcia. 

When reviewing the photographs submitted, Molina-Garcia focused on correcting a common social misunderstanding about photography, she said. People can mistakenly believe it is death-oriented, fixating on capturing a frozen moment entombing the past. However, Molina-Garcia believes each time a new observer sees an image it changes them, as photographs speak to a viewer. 

Wendy Nelson, a featured wildlife and animal photographer in one of the current exhibitions, focused her pieces on black cats to challenge the misconception that they are bad luck, she said.

Rather than a simple picture, she captures the mood, excitement and passion of these cats, according to Nelson. She enjoys hearing what attendees interpret from her artwork because they often surprise her by seeing things differently than what she expects; it gives her a chance to look through other perspectives. 

Nelson appreciates the variety of exhibitions at Art Works, she said.

“It’s giving people the opportunity to really not only get their own work seen but to view other people’s work and to get inspired and interested in art of all different types,” Nelson said. 

Sydne Moseley, an attendee who has lived in Richmond her entire life, believes Manchester has become a lot more diverse in recent years and considers it to be the more “artsy” area of Richmond, she said. She believes Art Works’ exhibitions are captivating and has considered renting out a studio space for herself. 

Moseley also enjoys how Art Works is open for everybody and how artists’ voices can be heard, helping them get on their feet in the art scene, she said.

“I think our main goal is just spreading awareness that we’re there and inviting people to come and letting them know that we make it really accessible,” Boyland said. 

Art Works is open from Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission, according to the Art Works website. A calendar of Art Works’ current and upcoming events can be found on its website.