Rachel Nicholas, Staff Writer
As spring settles in and the city starts to warm up, Richmond’s art scene is stepping into the spotlight. From major museum exhibitions to intimate gallery shows and pop-up experiences, there is no shortage of creativity to explore across the city.
Wander through world class collections at the VMFA
Constantly changing, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosts several exhibitions at a time — from African and Indigenous art to portraits of Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward. Former fan favorites include “Frida: Beyond the Myth,” a major exhibition exploring the life and work of Frida Kahlo, alongside photography exhibitions like “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” which reflects on childhood through a series of striking images. Current exhibitions are “Views of the Tōkaidō by Utagawa Hiroshige and Kawase Hasui,”, “Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns: Pictures More Famous than the Truth,”, “Alvin Lester: Portraits of Jackson Ward and Beyond,” and “Community and Continuity: African Art and Indigenous American Art.”
Visitors can find out more about each exhibition on vmfa.museum.
Experience raw local voices at Southside Contemporary Art Gallery
The exhibition “Keep it 1000” brings the authentic energy of nine emerging artists to Richmond’s Southside. Featuring contemporary art, priced reasonably for newer collectors, the show emphasizes intentionality and community in its work. The gallery offers a more intimate setting where visitors can connect closely with the art and the space. It is located at 1309 Hull Street Rd, and will be on display Apr. 10-May 10 according to @southsidecontemporary, their instagram.
Explore activism through art at Gallery5
Gallery5’s exhibition “Richmond Resistance” highlights socially engaged artwork that reflects on the history of activism, identity and community in Richmond. Visitors can expect thought-provoking pieces across a range of mediums, including documentary photography from protests and punk shows, archival materials like zines and flyers, and mixed-media works using found objects tied to the city’s DIY culture. Community-sourced artifacts and personal narratives add another layer, showing how everyday Richmonders have shaped movements for change. The gallery is located at 200 W Marshall St. and more can be found on gallery5arts.org.
Support emerging artists at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond
VisArts’ Collector’s Night is celebrating 40 years as Richmond’s longest running annual art auction. The evening hosts a cocktail reception with the opportunity to connect with fellow art enthusiasts, the auction featuring work from students, local artists and professionals alike. Visitors can expect a mix of mediums and styles all under one roof on May 2 at 1812 W Main St. Guests can purchase tickets starting at $175 on e.givesmart.com.
Step into an intimate show at Anne’s Vital Art Studio Gallery
“The Lost Weekend” at Anne’s Visual Art Studio offers a smaller, more personal exhibition experience. Only on display for two days, the gallery’s cozy setting allows visitors to slow down and engage deeply with the striking black-and-white photography of May Pang. Her exhibition displays candid photos of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, whom she used to work for as a personal assistant. The gallery is located at 208 W Broad St and will be shown from April 21-22 from 1-7 p.m.
Browse curated works at Quirk Gallery
Quirk Gallery’s exhibition “Hand Picked” showcases a carefully curated selection of brooches from Nikki Couppee. It was created in collaboration with the botanical exhibition, a display of art showcasing the five years spent working, learning and studying flowers alongside Virginia flowers. The exhibition will be presented at Quirk by Anne Blackwell Thompson from April 2 – May 2. Couppee designed her work to be “rooted in spring and blooms,” according to gallery manager Erin Bannan. Visitors can also explore the connected shop for unique finds while taking in the displays. The gallery is located at 207 W Broad St, and anyone interested in buying the art can do so on quirkgallery.com.