Our second stop on Friday was the McGuffey Art Center, located right of the Downtown Mall on Second Street. The McGuffey is an artist association which works to support artistic growth of professional as well as emerging artists within the Charlottesville community! Through their open studios, exhibits, performances, outreach projects, classes, and tours the McGuffey Art Center brings art to our community on a daily basis!
The Center is open six days a week and is free of charge! On any given day you can walk in the doors and wander around throughout the different studio spaces if their doors are open. This Friday my friends and I went to their First Friday opening exhibit. Interesting fact: The McGuffey Art Center has at least 5,000 visitors come through their doors during the First Friday celebrations throughout the year...Wow!
The McGuffey Art Center was established in 1975 with the renovation of the former McGuffey School, built in 1916. The school was transformed into art studio spaces that were designed to be light and airy. In 2009 this building was recognizes as a historic building within the state of Virginia! I love the use of the old chalkboards mixed in with current artwork...how fun and unique, as well as a great way to display the original use of the building!
There are three gallery spaces ( lower hall, upper hall, and main gallery) within the space where member's artwork is displayed throughout the year. Within the art center there are a number of studio spaces that can be rented out by members of the Association. Currently there are over 45 renting members and over 85 Associate members do not rent studio space. The renting members comprise of the Board of Directors and other various committees within the art center. How fun would it be to have a studio space in the McGuffey...large windows, beautfiul C'ville views, and a building full of other local artists.
I love how visitors can get an up-close view of what happens in an artist's studio! Make sure to check out the McGuffey Art Center... it's open Tuesday- Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 1-5.
Have a Terrific Tuesday...and check back soon!
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