Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Richmond

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, commonly known as VisArts, is a significant cultural hub in Richmond, dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic engagement. Since its establishment in 1963, VisArts has evolved from its initial identity as the Hand Workshop in Church Hill to a major center located in the historical Virginia Dairy building on West Main Street.

After leasing space for 17 years, VisArts purchased and subsequently renovated this building. The renovations, completed in 2007, have transformed the premises into a sprawling 30,000-square-foot arts center, featuring the 1,800-square-foot True F. Luck Gallery. This gallery primarily showcases contemporary artists, emphasizing the materials and processes they employ.

Annually, VisArts impacts nearly 45,000 individuals through its diverse offerings, which include classes, exhibitions, community outreach programs, camps, workshops, and special events. The center is particularly noted for its extensive educational programs, offering more than 1,500 visual and creative arts classes each year. These classes cover a broad spectrum of disciplines such as clay, wood, fiber, painting, photography, printmaking, glass, metal, drawing, writing, and decorative arts.

With a teaching staff of over 220 instructors, VisArts not only serves as an educational institution but also as a vibrant community center that brings art into the lives of people of all ages, fostering both individual creativity and collective cultural development.