Visual art studio celebrates 27 years, gives artists ‘freedom to express’

Emily McCauley, Spectrum Editor

anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery in Richmond’s Arts District opened 27 years ago and has been a labor of love, said Anne Hart Chay, the owner of anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery and co-creator of RVA First Fridays’ art walk.

The 27th anniversary celebration and the exhibition “ART2Go!” occurred during RVA First Fridays’ art walk on Feb. 2, featuring local artists, live music by AuriKa and light refreshments, according to the gallery’s website. The party’s theme on Feb. 2 was “Got game?”

Chay bought 208 W. Broad St. in 1995 when there was only one other business open on the block, according to Chay. She turned it into anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery. After completing renovations in 2000, Chay held her first open invitation to local artists for the first “ART2Go!.”

Chay helped establish RVA First Fridays’ art walk in 2001 alongside Christina Newton, the former director of Artspace Gallery, she said. Cary and her fellow RVA First Friday venues partnered with the Downtown Neighborhood Association, and they took over the program in 2012. 

“I consider First Fridays my baby before I started having babies,” Chay said.

Chay was labeled as “Pioneer Anne” by the press in 2002 and the First Fridays’ art walk was recognized for creating a renaissance in the Arts District, she said. 

She grew up in Richmond and graduated from the painting and printmaking department at VCUarts with honors, according to Chay. She has been featured in galleries such as 1708 Gallery, Artspace and the Corporate and Museum Frame.

Chay said she feels honored and thrilled to share her studio gallery with fellow artists while being a part of Richmond’s exciting arts community.

Chay hopes her gallery continues for another 27 years to inspire people and organizations to revitalize their property and start businesses in her neighborhood, where many artists have chosen to host exhibitions on First Fridays, she said. 

Curator and artist Helene Ruiz has been involved with anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery since 2011, after she moved to Richmond from New York City, according to Ruiz. She recognizes how important Chay is in the downtown RVA Arts District.

Ruiz feels many of the galleries in the area have become very commercial, but anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery brings a sense of comfort to artists and art lovers, she said. 

“You feel a more sense of closeness — freedom to express yourself,” Ruiz said. 

Chay created her space for local artists to share and sell their art, according to Naomi Cordova, a local artist featured at the gallery. 

Chay will introduce a theme for an art show and Cordova will create art based on the theme, Cordova said. 

“This one was about games, so my first thought was manipulation and emotional games rather than just typical board games,” Cordova said. 

Cordova grew up in an Evangelical Christian cult and has used her religious trauma to influence her art, she said. 

Cordova said she focuses her art on her femininity, societal norms and surrealism with themes from the 1970s. 

When local Richmond artist Dan Rhett was looking to sell his art he got in contact with Anne, he said. 

“For me, it was approachable, I had never approached a gallery before,” Rhett said. 

After meeting, Rhett and Chay realized they had crossed paths during their time at VCUarts, according to Rhett. 

Rhett now sells his work through anne’s Visual Art Studio Gallery and appreciates the exposure it gives him, he said. 

Local Richmond artist Terrie Powers said she has worked with Chay for nearly 15 years and recognizes how loyal she is to her work and the area. 

“She is exactly what an artist needs — someone who gets the word out and constantly rearranges the artwork in her gallery to keep it interesting,” Powers said.