Upcoming Events.
It's A Wrap Reception
The 2024 Heart of the River Collection will be on display at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester from June 9th through June 30th. Don’t miss this fun end to the events of the 2024 Festival.
Village Arts Day
Village Arts Day includes an Artisan Market, Live Performances, Music, and More! A free, family-friendly day celebrating the Arts and Artists from Gloucester and around the region!
Flat Iron Crossroads -Bobby Blackhat
Flat Iron Crossroads and the Cook Foundation's Gloucester Arts Festival are pleased to announce Bobby BlackHat, Virginia’s Blues Ambassador in concert!
Film Premiere: RIA: THE DIVERGENT DAFFODIL at Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester
The Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester is proud to host the premiere of “RIA: The Divergent Daffodil”! The event will include a screening of the film, a Q&A session with the director Sean Clinkscales and the documentary’s subject Maria Lee-Driver, promising an engaging and enriching experience for all attendees.
Flat Iron Crossroads -Isaac Hadden Organ Trio
Isaac Hadden Organ Trio is a heavy-hitting, improvisational, cosmic groove ensemble, carving out a distinct voice in the world of funk, jazz, rock, and R&B. The group performs intricate yet accessible original music and fresh arrangements of classic tunes.
Arts at Abingdon
Part of the music series spanning over 33 years, Arts at Abingdon offers a collection of concerts featuring artists from many parts of the globe.
Plein Air Gala
Mingle with the Plein Air artists while sipping sparkling wine and nibbling on heavy hors d'oeuvres from Chef Brian Marshall. Peruse all the paintings from the week and purchase your favorite! Become a Patron and enjoy the exclusive reception to get a sneak peek of the paintings in advance of the Gala opening!
Color & Composition Workshop
A demonstration and workshop conducted by award winning and renowned artist, Robert Johnson will be held at The Gloucester Institute (formerly known as Holly Hill - The Moton Home)
Local Color
Brand new for 2024. Arts on Main hosts the Local Color Show featuring local artists and scenery. Arts on Main’s June show highlights the beauty and talent of the Middle Peninsula by featuring images of local scenes or art by local artists.
Cocktails in the Garden
Cocktails in the Garden in the quietly elegant gardens of Goshen Farm overlooking the Ware River will be THE place to make an appearance and have some truly yummy bites and fabulous cocktails.
Gallery Talk
Come hear the inspiring story of how Robert Johnson, a lawyer in Virginia, chased his artistic muse to become a full-time Master Painter.
Mathews Paint Out
For the second year, the Plein Air Invitational is partnering with the Mathews County Bay School Community Arts Center for a one-day event in Mathews. The 2024 Plein Air Artists will be painting at various locations in Mathews County. Watch the artists at work during the day and then join us at the Bay School at 5pm for a reception.
Meet The Artists
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the artist up close and personal! Held in 2024 in the Barn at Elmington Estate, this event requires a patron’s ticket to attend. This is a patron-only opportunity to purchase one of the 2024 paintings prior to the lottery at the gala.
Barboursville Wine Dinner at Kelsick Market
Join Kelsick Market for dinner, with Jason Tesauro from Barboursville Vineyards—sign up now and reserve a spot for this delicious special menu!
Symphony Under the Stars
The June 1st concert by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is touted as one of the most anticipated events of the year in the community, drawing well over a thousand families and community members to Main Street for an evening of great food and music.
Paint Main
The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free, fast-paced painting event as spectators! See 30 invited Plein Air artists along with artists from the community grace the streets of Main Street!
Brews, Brine & Wine
Come enjoy oysters and beer while visiting the Plein Air artists who will be interpreting the beautiful surroundings on their canvases, creating small works that will be available for sale at the event. Art, food, and beautiful scenery will make for a lovely evening for the whole family.
It’s a Wrap!
Village Arts Day will include live performances with music, dancing, and Artisan Market. There will be food trucks and creative opportunities for the entire family. Visit Edgehill House, listen to a storyteller, help paint a local mural and find something special and one-of-a-kind at the Artisan Market!
Village Arts Day+ Artisan Market
Village Arts Day will include live performances with music, dancing, and Artisan Market. There will be food trucks and creative opportunities for the entire family. Visit Edgehill House, listen to a storyteller, help paint a local mural and find something special and one-of-a-kind at the Artisan Market!
A Night Off Broadway
Three one-act plays will be performed by different troupes including The Gloucester High School Dukes, The Williamsburg Players and one more TBA! Tickets are $10pp
Studio Tour
The Gloucester Arts Festival invites you to experience up close and personal the beauty and craftsmanship of Gloucester County’s talented artists during the Heart of the River Open Studio Tour. Visit studios, enjoy meeting the artists, and gain insight into their vision and techniques. Painters, potters, sculptors, and a boot maker are among the varied and exciting types of media that awaits.
Sneak Peek 3-7 on Friday, 12-5 on Saturday!
Studio Tour
The Gloucester Arts Festival invites you to experience up close and personal the beauty and craftsmanship of Gloucester County’s talented artists during the Heart of the River Open Studio Tour. Visit studios, enjoy meeting the artists, and gain insight into their vision and techniques. Painters, potters, sculptors, and a boot maker are among the varied and exciting types of media that awaits.
Sneak Peek 3-7 on Friday, 10-5 on Saturday
Arts at Abingdon
In partnership with Gloucester Arts Festival and The Cook Foundation, during June, Arts at Abingdon presents Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna. Join us for a music-filled evening at the historic Abingdon Church. For questions (or more info) please contact Alisa Bohon, Music Director at Abingdon Episcopal Church @ 804.693.3035
Plein Air Invitational Gala
Join us for a beautiful evening in the Barn at Elmington Estate. Mingle with the Plein Air artists while nibbling on heavy hors d'oeuvres and sparkling wine. Peruse all the paintings from the week and select your favorite! Tickets required for this event. Become a Patron to enjoy a private reception at 5pm with the artists and have a preview of the Heart of River Collection.
Paint Main
On Saturday, June 10, the 2023 Plein Air festival painters will compete in a fast-paced paint-out along Main Street from 10-12. Community painters also are welcome to register for this event and compete for separate prizes. Judging will follow on the Tabb House Lawn. After prizes have been awarded, the paintings will be available for sale fresh off the easel - and ready to hang in your home!
The Boneshakers Concert
In partnership with Gloucester Arts Festival and The Cook Foundation, during June, Flat Iron Crossroads presents The Boneshakers. Join us for an evening of funk, blues and rock music that will have you dancing! To purchase tickets, please visit Flat Iron Crossroads.
Cocktails in the Garden
Art and Nature…the perfect cocktail. Are you ready to sip handcrafted, specialty cocktails and watch internationally known artists paint the scenic surroundings? Then join us for Cocktails in the Garden at Goshen during the festival! Tickets required for this event.
Matt Lively’s Gallery Talk
2022 Muralist Matt Lively will be at Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester for a Gallery Talk on June 7th. Matt is an artist living in Richmond, Virginia. He is a sculptor, painter, muralist; has designed installations, worked on films and illustrated books. A relative newcomer to the Plein Air style of painting, Matt will talk about how he started and how you can too!