Visual Arts Programs

Workhouse Gallery Exhibitions – During the year the McGuireWoods Gallery displays between 15 and 25 exhibitions. This includes juried exhibitions that draw the interest of artists from across the country and abroad. These works are juried into the exhibition by a panel of jurors who are well respected within the arts. The gallery holds exhibitions in support of other major Workhouse programs and their own Workhouse Artists. The McGuireWoods also exhibits curated shows that display the work of prominent artists and arts organizations on a national and international level.

Workhouse Studio Artists – Local artists in need of studio space must be juried in as a Workhouse Artist in order to maintain the highest quality of artwork on campus. These Artists occupy six buildings across the Workhouse campus. Studio artists are able to enjoy a professional work space while being accessible to the public. Each studio artist building also has a gallery to display and sell the artwork of the artists associated with that particular building.

Workhouse Associate Artists – The Associate Artists must also be juried in as a Workhouse Artist to ensure quality across the campus, however, they are not currently in the market for a studio space. The artwork produced by these local artists is displayed in the Vulcan Gallery. Each artist may show up to four recent works of art in this space each month. Associate Artists also have the first priority to become a studio artist when studio space becomes available.

Artist Gift Shop – The Artist Gift Shop provides a showcase of artwork by our Workhouse Artists. This space is located in our main gallery building, W-16 and is the first thing that guests experience when entering. All Workhouse Artists have the opportunity to participate in the Artist Gift Shop and new artwork is displayed on a quarterly basis.

2nd Saturdays – This program occurs each month and is a lively open house for the Visual Arts department at the Workhouse Arts Center. Regularly featured events include opening exhibition receptions, artist talks and an Art Walk around campus. This is an excellent time for new visitors to experience the Workhouse and meet the many artists that call the Workhouse home.

First Thursdays- The Workhouse uses this program to educate, inform, and engage the Visual Arts community. This monthly reoccurring program invites well respected art lecturers, artist workshop, art panel discussions, etc. that promote the idea of the perpetual art student. The categories for this program series include art techniques, the business of art, and art inspiration. All Workhouse Artists and Friends of Visual Arts are welcome to attend for free.

Ceramics – The Workhouse Arts Center Ceramics Program is a collective and highly dynamic environment with the goal for the promotion of Ceramic Arts in the Community through research, education and outreach.  The studio facility is also home to 6 private resident artists’ studios whose works range from functional to sculptural and a retail gallery for the exhibition of Resident and Associate Ceramic Artist works.  The Workhouse Ceramics Program housed in W-8 at the Workhouse Arts Center is a state of the art facility with two indoor kiln rooms, an outdoor kiln yard with a 32 cu. ft. gas downdraft shuttle and Raku kiln(s). A variety of classes, workshops and outreach activities are offered for ages 5 and up in wheel-throwing, hand-building and ceramic sculpture.  For more information, visit www.workhouseceramics.org.

Glass – The Glass Program at the Workhouse is one of the few glass programs in the country to include all disciplines of glass art under one roof.  We have facilities for fusing, casting, mosaics, flameworking, coldworking, sandblasting, sculpture and glassblowing.  The program has eight artist studios, two general purpose classrooms, a flameworking classroom, a kiln room, a coldworking room, artist gallery, a glass supply store, and a glassblowing studio all within its 8500 sq ft building.  All classrooms are outfitted with state of the art tools and equipment.  The primary focus with the Glass Program is education and we offer approximately 30 different classes per quarter.  When the facilities are not being used for class, they can be rented by qualified artists to create their own work.