Art Works represents over 100 Virginia artists as well as national and international artists in monthly shows. There are 75 studios and 5 galleries at Art Works. Many artists work in their studios; some use their studios as mini-galleries. The public is welcome to spend an afternoon viewing art, visiting with artists and can even see art being made. Children are welcome and can make art at the art-activity table. The public is invited to our monthly all-media, juried art shows, the forth Friday of each month and are encouraged to participate in our programs, shows and events.

Art Works provides an outreach program to children in the neighborhood. This program, Children’s Art in the Neighborhood (CAN) is free and open to children ages 6 – 15. Classes are held the first and second Saturdays of each month.

Art Works leases the galleries to individuals and groups to hold their special events, meetings and seminars in a unique creative space. Art Works designs, plans and facilitates fun days and creative activity for businesses and corporations.

Our mission is to provide artists with a full service art center where art can be created, displayed and promoted. It is also our goal to bring art, music, events, and programs that enrich the city and the people who live in and visit our community.

In 2003 Paula Demmert and Glenda Kotchish bought 25,000 square feet of a warehouse building and turned it into an art center. Plant Zero, another organnization also converted the remaining 75,000 square feet into an event space, apartments and large artists' studios. The entire block became the center of an art community now called the Manchester Art District. Other galleries and apartments have since opened in the area which transformed this distressed part of Richmond into a living, working and leisure community.