Cook Foundation

01/12/2026

🎨💙 Why We Do This

The arts bring people together and help define who we are as a community.

Through the Cook Foundation and the Gloucester Arts Festival, we’re proud to nurture and sponsor the arts in Gloucester, Virginia—supporting artists and creating meaningful moments of connection.

Love the arts? Follow along, attend an event, or volunteer. Every bit helps our creative community thrive.

Supporting the arts isn’t just what we do.
It’s why we do it. 💙

01/10/2026

A Decade of Art—by the numbers.

🎉 10 years
🎨 250 artists
🗓️ 150+ events
👥 10,000+ visitors
🖌️ 5 murals
🗿 34 sculptures

✨ Countless memories—and a community that makes it all possible.

We’re grateful to everyone who has been part of the Gloucester Arts Festival journey.

01/02/2026

The Gloucester Arts Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of art, creativity, and community in Gloucester!

Since its founding, the festival has become a cherished annual event, featuring hundreds of artists, engaging thousands of visitors, and highlighting the role of the arts in bringing people together. The anniversary year will honor the artists, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who have shaped the festival over the past ten years. Join us in June as we celebrate 10 years!

01/02/2026

The Gloucester Arts Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of art, creativity, and community in Gloucester.

Since its founding, the festival has become a cherished annual event, featuring hundreds of artists, engaging thousands of visitors, and highlighting the role of the arts in bringing people together. The anniversary year will honor the artists, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who have shaped the festival over the past ten years.

12/08/2025

Today we announce a leadership transition as Elizabeth Blackney concludes four years of dedicated service with the Cook Foundation. We are grateful for her contributions and look forward to the next chapter of our work in Gloucester’s arts and cultural life. The transition will be overseen by Gloucester Arts Festival Director Shandie Covington.

11/16/2025

Congratulations to all of the winners and everyone participating in the Arts on Main Palette Pals programming. Beautiful work by all!

10/07/2025

08/16/2025

"There is a Seat for Everyone" here at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester! Visit us today anytime until 5:00 PM to see the whimsical folk art by renowned local artist, Kacey Sydnor Carneal. We're located in the Main Street shopping center near the Gloucester Library. Just look for the artwork on our front windows and come on in.
We look forward to your visit!

07/31/2025

✨THIS IS US ✨
Come discover a truly original voice in Virginia art.

Throughout this exhibition, This Is Us, Kacey’s work stands in powerful conversation with climate, equality, family, and the meaning of home—offering a lasting reminder of how one artist’s truth can illuminate our shared humanity.

Enjoy the joyful yet piercing visual language that invites us all to see the world—and ourselves—with renewed empathy.

🕙 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM (Saturday hours begin August 9th)
📍 Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester (6894 Main Street)

07/30/2025

🌟 Opens August 1, 2025 from 10AM - 5PM

THIS IS US
A solo exhibition by Kacey Sydnor Carneal
Curated by Carolyn Thompson Dudley

Experience the bold, heartfelt work of self-taught Virginia artist Kacey Carneal, who began painting at age 50 and created a deeply personal and powerful body of work. Through vibrant oils on wood and canvas—often expanding onto the frame itself—Kacey’s art captures the spirit of identity, justice, belonging, and the beauty of everyday life.

🕙 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM
📍 Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester (6894 Main Street)