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©
John Mitchell
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MISSION
| HISTORY | FACTS
| PROGRAMS
IN-KIND SUPPORT | BUILDING
| DIRECTIONS
HISTORY
Founded in 1973, Second Street Gallery is the oldest nonprofit (501(c)3)
contemporary artspace in Central Virginia and one of the oldest in
the country. Established by a group of ten artists affiliated with
the University of Virginia and the local community (Linda Kennard,
Eugene Markowski, Paul Martick, Christopher Morris, Timothy Morris,
Lindsay Nolting, Priscilla Rappolt, George Roland, Rick Rosenblum,
and Emily Wheeler), SSG was the first artspace in Downtown Charlottesville
and a leader in the revitalization of the Historic District.
From the beginning Second Street has been committed to offering Charlottesville
and greater Virginia leading-edge new art in perspective and context,
and to fostering an active and open appreciation of this art by directly
engaging the issues surrounding works by the best contemporary artists
in the field.
In September 1977, the selection process for curating SSG's exhibition
season was formalized through the meeting of a monthly panel. This
process eventually led to what is today's Artist Review Panel (ARP).
The ARP is the gallery's annual national call for entries, and it
consists of 10 locally-based artists and arts professionals representing
the cultural community of Charlottesvile/Albemarle County region,
but also individuals who participate in the national contemporary
art dialogue as exhibiting artists, critics, curators, and art historians.
Since its incorporation in 1978, Second Street Gallery has been governed
by a volunteer Board of Directors (16-21 individuals) and managed
by a paid staff. In 1984, SSG moved to the McGuffey Art Center to
increase its visibility within the community, where it stayed until
its 2003 move to the newly-built City Center for Contemporary Arts
building. In addition, SSG has a long-established relationship with
the University of Virginia Internship Program, supervising three interns
from art history/studio art each academic year.
SSG presents 12-14 exhibitions per year and 11 openings. Each opening
is a part of the citywide First Fridays celebration in which many
local art organizations participate each month. In addition, SSG presents
a full calendar of related educational and outreach activities that
complement its exhibition season. It is supported by memberships,
donations from the local community, and grants from foundations and
the state. |
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