When you think of local art, you might not think about Lynchburg, Virginia as a place to look. But there are quite a few art galleries in Lynchburg and the surrounding area. Artists, photographers, potters, and others show and sell their collections locally.
The Academy of Fine Art is located at 600 Main Street, www.AcademyFineArts.com. There are two galleries in this location, Ann White Academy Gallery and Art Up Front Gallery. Beginning Friday, January 6, there will be a display of photographic works by members of the Blue Ridge Photographic Arts Society titled “Winter Solstice” in the Up Front Gallery. Over 50 local artists exhibit at the Academy of Fine Arts and many offer online galleries at the Academy’s website.
Art UpStairs is in an unlikely location, the upstairs of Bedford Hardware Store, 126 S. Bridge Street in Bedford, www.bedfordhardwarestore.com. The gallery is open during the hardware store’s regular hours, 8am-5:30pm Monday-Friday and 8am-4pm Saturday. At the hardware store’s website, there’s a link to an online gallery from many of the artists in residence.
A new gallery opened in Bedford in December. Art of Virginia is located at 126 North Bridge Street. All work exhibited at Art of Virginia is from local artists and all is for sale. Owner Tab O’Neal is still constructing the company website but can be found on facebook. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday 10am-5pm.
Beyond These Hills Gallery is located at 4700 Waterlick Road. Local artwork is on display and for sale. Hours are 10am-5pm Monday-Friday and 10am-3pm Saturday. You can visit the store’s website www.beyondthesehills.com
The Framery is located at 2703 Memorial Avenue, www.frameryandarts.com. You may have drive past this gallery many times, assuming it was only a place to have artwork framed. But there is a wide collection of art available from local artist also. The Framery is open from 9:30am-5:30pm Monday-Saturday.
Lynchburg Community Market is home to the Heritage Crafters Gallery and Artist’s Alley which is open 9am-2pm Tuesday-Saturday. Heritage Crafters Gallery offers hand crafted items of various types made locally. Artists Alley contains works of art by a variety of artists including a large section of works by members of the Seven Hills Art Club. All items on display are available for sale.
Altavista Art & Antiques offers more than a traditional art gallery. This shop is located at 623 Broad Street in Altavista, www.altavistaontrack.com and click the Altavista Art and Antiques link. In addition to traditional art and sculptures, you will find handcrafted jewelry, unique gifts, and local art. Altavista Art & Antiques is open Tuesday and Wednesday 11am-6pm, Thursday and Friday 11am-7pm, and Saturday 10am-5pm.
The Daura Gallery at Lynchburg College is located in the Dillard Fine Arts Center. The gallery is named in honor of artist Pierre Daura and contains artwork and sculpture by Daura and other American and European artists. There are also changing exhibits throughout the academic year. The Daura Gallery is open 9am-4pm Monday-Friday. You can visit the gallery website, http://www.lynchburg.edu/daura.xml
Liberty University’s art gallery is located in the Student Life and Academics building on Liberty’s campus. Hours of operation are 2-6pm Tuesday and Friday, 2-8pm Thursday, and 10am-6pm Saturday. Exhibits change throughout the academic year.
Sweet Briar College is home to two galleries. Pannell Gallery is open 10am-5pm Monday-Thursday and 1-4pm Sunday. Babcock Gallery is open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Exhibits change throughout the academic year.
The Maier Museum of Art is located at Randolph College, 1 Quinlan Street. This nationally recognized museum contains many works by American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Museum hours are 1-4pm Wednesday-Sunday. You can also visit the museum website, http://www.maiermuseum.org/
There’s no time like the present to introduce your children to fine artwork. You will find many examples of fine art without traveling far from home right here in Lynchburg.