African American culture and heritage can be found throughout the North and the South, however one part of the South where we are encouraging you and your family to explore is Charlottesville, VA.
Charlottesville, VA is proud of its African American history and heritage. This area offers many resources for preserving the legacy of African American history in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. From the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center which features exhibits; one particularly with a rotating contemporary art gallery to Booker T. Washington Park which is great for family outings, Charlottesville, Virginia can only supply great history and much fun.
If interested in exploring a three day weekend to Charlottesville, VA, you and your family may need to make arrangements now and I have the perfect itinerary that will showcase the talented artists and give the entire family a Charlottesville Art Excursion. If you are from the surrounding areas like Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Raleigh-Durham, or Richmond or want to gain insight on the history of Charlottesville, this itinerary will become your go to for the months of September and October.
Art and Black History in Charlottesville, VA with Your Family
Your Charlottesville, VA Weekend Itinerary
Any weekday or weekend during the month of September and October Charlottesville, VA will bring their black artwork and artists to the forefront. Even though art in this area can be viewed whenever you travel, these two months have become dedicated to the hard work these artists pride themselves in. So, why not make a trip out of this to support the black art community.
Friday
The Quirk Hotel
Check into a place that is more than just a place to lay your head. The Quirk Hotel encourages curiosity and features inspiring and beautiful artwork. Consisting of tributes to the art, culture, and history is what makes each stay everything but usual.
Downtown Galleries
Once you arrive on Friday, there are many galleries you can choose to explore once you get settled in. Here’s a quick list of live music and theaters and what you can expect to enjoy.
Live Arts Theater
Live Arts is a volunteer theater that has given a home to drama, dance, comedy, music and performance art since 1990. They strive to present high-caliber work and strive to provide creations unlike anything you’d expect to find in the area.
Paramount Theater
Paramount Theater educates, enchants, adds enrichment, and enlightenment through the arts. Known for their high-quality programming and charitable benefit for the entire community, the Paramount Theater is a vital part for Charlottesville, Albemarle, and the Central Virginia region.
Second Street Gallery
Second Street Gallery provides cutting-edge new art in perspective and context to this community and is a reason this downtown gallery should be included on your Friday arrival to Charlottesville, VA. Get a view of contemporary artists through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, classes, tours, and publications.
The Southern Café & Music Hall http://www.thesoutherncville.com/events/all
The Jefferson Theater http://www.jeffersontheater.com
Virginia Discovery Museum
The Virginia Discovery Museum is a hands-on children’s museum for newborns to kids age 8 that fosters curiosity and development for all children in our community. Since this is a family trip it is important to attend a museum like this to ensure everyone is enjoying their time in Virginia.
Studio IX
A busy Southern Belle or Southern Beau on the go and may need to fit in a quick work to-do assignment while in Charlottesville, if so, Studio IX is a coworking space downtown that can serve you. Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers are provided with a flexible shared office environment and is designed to cultivate creativity.
Saturday
IX Art Park
IX Art Park is a public, non-commercial, interactive space for spontaneous dreamers and creators of art. Art in this location comes in all its forms, and has the ability to transport you back to the sense of freedom, wonder and imagination that we were all born with. If you need a place to find your creativity or want to interact with individuals that you can connect with IX Art Park is a great location to begin or end with for a staycation in Charlottesville, VA.
THE LOOKING GLASS
Within the IX Art Park is Virginia’s first and only immersive art space, featuring a larger-than-life interactive enchanted forest known as The Looking Glass.
Downtown Galleries
After experiencing the culture of black art, the exploration doesn’t end there. In Charlottesville, VA there are many galleries that you can add to your “to experience list” for saturday.
The Charlottesville Mural Project/ Bridge Progessive Arts Initiative
UVA Arts: Memorial for Enslaved Laborers, Fralin Museum
Chroma Gallery at The Vault https://www.chromaprojects.com
C’ville Arts
As a Cooperative Gallery, C’Ville Arts is a vibrant storefront space featuring handmade works by Virginia artists and craftspeople. C’ville Arts has become the best and most popular place to find unique gifts for and meaningful souvenirs for your family when you return home from your eventful vacation.
The Front Porch
This location is central to Charlottesville, VA and is the root of connecting people through music in Virginia. From intimate listening room venues, to concert-like experiences,The Front Porch, gives your art in a musical format that you can enjoy in your most enjoyable way.
McGuffey Arts Center
Since 1975, the McGuffey Arts Center has become the place for artists to showcase their talent and now houses 45+ renting artists within the building and consists of 100+ artists within the art center’s association. In this center of creativity, travelers or tourists can find exhibitions featuring nature and black and white.
Sunday
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Before completing your artistic stay in Charlottesville, VA, viewing the one of the most toured locations in Virginia, Thomas Jeffeson’s Monticello, should be on your trip list. Feel free to participate in a family scavenger hunt or walking tours that focus on the experiences of our enslaved ancestors and/or explore restored flower and vegetable gardens, orchards, and groves.
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