By Diane O'Neal
Art has an amazing ability to bring people together. Richmond’s Uptown Gallery, located at 1305 W. Main Street in the fan, has been an inspiring, working example of this for the past 16 years.

As Richmond’s only artists’ co-operative gallery, the experience a visitor has in this space is unlike any other in the city. The artists themselves staff and manage all aspects of the business by having members rotate committee responsibilities. You have the rare opportunity to meet one or more of the 35 showing artists upon every visit. The middleman of the art world is virtually cut from the equation, allowing you to learn about the art directly from the talented and prolific artists that created it.

As an artist member of the Uptown Gallery co-op, you must undergo an initial jury of five pieces, and if accepted, must be able to actively add to your body of work. No piece is shown more than once every six months, and the entire gallery is re-hung every two months, with two new featured artists each show. This January and February, however, the gallery is hosting a member’s wide exhibition entitled Art and Arias, in which all artists are showing work inspired by music. From abstract impressions of music to photo-realistic images of musicians, there will be something for everyone’s artistic taste. The best opportunity to enjoy this show is during the First Friday openings every month, where you can meet the artists and mingle to live music.

In addition to offering beautiful works of art for collectors, enthusiasts or first time art investors, Uptown Gallery is committed to the community. This commitment is reinforced by the Gallery’s internal structure as an organization. As a bonded community of artists, Uptown members work together in the improvement of their own bodies of work, as well as reaching out beyond the gallery walls. The gallery regularly works to help other organizations and charities around Richmond, such as Chairs to Cherish, Fetch a Cure and Art180. They also sponsored two fish in 1708 Gallery’s outdoor exhibition, Go Fish, in 2001.

All of the artists of Uptown participate in other organizations, such as the Metro Richmond Artist’s Association, Bon Air Artists Association or Virginia State Watercolor Society. Member Dare Boles started the Virginia Collage Society, which now has member Bill Kensey as its president. The Emma Lou Martin loft of Uptown Gallery is offered as space for such associations’ meetings and available for group shows. The gallery also offers approximately six workshops a year that are conducted in the gallery space and are open for anyone to participate.

If you, yourself, are an artist looking to hang, the Frable Gallery, located on the mezzanine level, has rental space available for non-member artists, though work to be shown is subject to a jury of gallery members. The works of art in this space rotate every two months. The entire gallery space is also available for hosting private events from birthdays to baby showers to wedding receptions.

As an organization dedicated to its position as a community-oriented, artists-run space, Uptown Gallery offers the larger community of Richmond the unique experience of witnessing what can come from a group of hardworking, active individuals motivated by their passion for art. It is an experience that should not be missed.

I extend many thanks to Emma Lou Martin for her time and enthusiasm. For general inquiries and more information regarding private events or workshops, contact Uptown Gallery at 804-353-8343.

Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking is available.