New City Arts Initiative

09/01/2026

🗓️ Friday, 9/4 from 5-7:30 PM & Saturday, 9/5 from 10AM-5PM

Browse a delightful collection of handmade ceramics from artists of Milkweed Clay Studio at this pop-up market organized by Emma Terry, whose work is currently on view. From mugs and bowls to whimsical sculptures, tiny pins, and curious creations, you'll find unique work by a collection of local artists. Learn more:

Join Emma Terry and Milkweed Clay Studio artists for a pop-up ceramic market.

08/19/2026

Meet our newest board members!: https://mailchi.mp/newcityarts/2026-new-board-members

07/30/2026

Adrienne Jacobson Oliver has been walking, listening, looking, feeling. When we met with Adrienne earlier this month to share a meal and hear how her residency is going, she shared that this embodied research has guided her in unexpected directions, literally and metaphorically. This possibility—that time and space for research might lead an artist to new discoveries and ways of knowing and practicing—is core to the purpose of the Research Residency program. Swipe to learn about Adrienne’s Research Residency project, and stay tuned to for opportuniites to engage with Adrienne and her work later this year.

Adrienne’s Research Residency is supported by the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation.

Applications for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Research Residencies are open now. Learn more and to submit your proposal by August 28: https://newcityarts.org/apply-to-2026-2027-residencies

07/28/2026

“Keepers of Wonder”, Emma Terry’s solo exhibition, opens at Welcome Gallery on Augsut 7 with a First Friday reception from 5-7:30PM. Join us to see Emma’s ceramic worlds, hear her share about the work (6PM), and enjoy a glass of wine and a snack at this free, public event. Link in bio to learn more about Emma and the exhibition.

🎉 This exhibition is supported by Pond Life. First Friday events are sponsored by William Taylor and the Taylor Group of Truist Investment Services.

🖼️ Artwork image and courtesy of the artist.

05/29/2026

🌱 Ruby Zielinski is up next at Welcome Gallery! “Think Like A Gardener” opens on June 5 with a First Friday reception from 5-7:30PM. Ruby will share a brief artist talk at 6PM. Stop in to see the work, enjoy a glass of wine, and catch up with friends at this free, public event. ➡️ Link in bio to learn more about Ruby and the exhibition.

🎉 This exhibition is supported by The FUNd at CACF and the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band at CACF. First Friday events are sponsored by William Taylor and the Taylor Group of Truist Investment Services.

🖼️ Artwork image and courtesy of the artist. Image descriptions can be found in the comments.

05/28/2026

📚 Read with us! For our next New City Read, June/July exhibiting artist, Ruby Zielinski selected “The Well Gardened Mind” by Sue Stuart-Smith. We’ll meet on at Welcome Gallery on Wednesday, June 24 from 6-7:30PM to talk about the book, take in Ruby’s work, and share snacks. ➡️ RSVP here: https://newcityarts.org/events/new-city-reads-june-2026

📌 Facilitated by local arts educator, Emily Hagan Lazaro, New City Reads is a book club with art. Each of this season’s exhibiting artists is selecting a book that connects with their work. New City Reads gatherings are free.

📖 Featured books will be available for a 10% discount when you mention New City Reads. Additional copies will be available at Central Library.

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ID: The image features a person holding the book “The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature” by Sue Stuart-Smith. The book has a white cover with the title and author’s name printed in green. An illustration of a human head filled with leaf patterns is centered below the title. The background appears to be an outdoor area with visible potted plants and a wooden surface. The bottom part of the image displays text on a muted green background, promoting an event called “New City Reads” with the date and time, “June 24 | 6-7
:30 PM”, along with the logo for “Welcome Gallery.”

05/14/2026

🎉THANK YOU SO MUCH! At last Wednesday’s Spring Gala & Art Auction, nearly 200 of you walked the red carpet and joined us for a glittering celebration of art and community at the Violet Crown (link in bio for photos!). We’re thrilled to share that you all helped us raise $101,715 to fund our programs for Charlottesville-area artists. 🥂

❤️ New City Arts is truly community-powered! From participating artists to the sponsors who made the event possible, and enthusiastic auction bidders to can-do volunteers, we’re so grateful to each and every one of you. A big thank you to our Blockbuster Sponsor: Ann Hay Hardy of Frank Hardy’s Sotheby’s International Realty ( ); Marquee Sponsors: , , , and ; to our Star Sponsors: , , AHB Studio and friends (), Annie Galvin & Lindsay Meck, Carrington Alvarez & Shreve Ariail, Emily & Anthony Lazaro; Marysunny & Michael Luegering; Nicole & Ashley Snyder; Rachel Baker & James Burnett; Sarah & Derrick Waller; and to our event sponsors, , , , , , Pura Photo (), .blue, , , Professional Art Handling (), , and .

📸 Photo 1 by Big Day Poloroids. Photos 2, 4, 6-19 by Alisa Foytik. Photos 3, 5, 20 by Kori Price Photography. Maureen’s FUND THE ARTS embroidered blazer by Annie Drury of .

04/29/2026

🎉This year’s New City Arts Spring Gala Raffle is open to everyone! 🎟️ Enter raffle ($10/ticket or 11 tickets/$100!) between now and **May 6 at 11:59PM** for a chance to win one of two fantastic bundles: the Richmond Art Getaway or the Hometown Collection. ➡️ Head to the link in our bio to buy your raffle tickets.

Many thanks to the generous sponsors of this year’s raffle: , , , , , , , Ben W. Fey, Ceejay Renner-Thomas, Chloe Clayborne, Hafsa Ramay, Halle Miller, Jaron White, Justin Vesser, Mara Sprafkin, MECOO, and Zach Chrisinger

📌 Design elements courtesy of Christy Baker (.blue )

04/28/2026

📣In collaboration with Ivy Creek Foundation (ICF) and supported by the Anyanwu Fund at CACF, New City Arts invites Charlottesville-area artists to submit site-specific artworks activating the Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm honoring the site and its history. ➡️ Head to the link in our bio to learn more and to apply.

✏️ We welcome proposals from a wide variety of artists including but not limited to writers, painters, musicians, photographers, sound, performers, filmmakers, etc. Three artists will be selected by a community panel to receive acess to a designated site at Ivy Creek; a $1,000 stipend; access to free & discounted services at local arts spaces; projection mapping equipment and technical support from The A/V Company if applicable; and the opportunity to publicly share their work at a show case and
celebration at Ivy Creek in mid-November.

❓Questions? DM us!

Image descriptions in comments.

04/24/2026

🥂Join us downstairs at the Violet Crown for the After Party! Each After Party ticket includes *really good* snacks (see menu below), 1 drink, and a bid number for silent auction artwork. Cash bar available. 🎟️ Ticket link in bio—purchase by Friday, May 1.

✨After Party Menu (by The Catering Outfit)✨

grazing table: assorted local & artisan cheeses with house-made seasonal jam’s & chutneys, local honeycomb, local vegetables crudités, house spiced picans, cured meats, crackers, baguettes, and dips

tco ham biscuits

mini key lime pies

mini chocolate pot de crémes

mini strawberry tarts

📌After Party entry is included in Gala & Art Auction tickets.