Our mission at Allure Art Center is to provide a multifaceted venue for Virginia artists and artisans to gain exposure, network, collaborate and further their craft and in turn enhancing our community. The center is artist owned and managed while working closely with a core group of professional exhibiting artists to help guide the direction of the center and its offerings. The gallery was designed to reflect an intimate, professional level exhibition space that will present an artist’s work in the way it should be viewed. The gallery uses professional hanging systems, museum quality lighting, environmental controls and allows for appropriate presentation of the work. We embrace all of the arts and mediums of expression. You can find original works of art from local artists across many mediums including painting, sculpture, carving, metal work, wood working, photography, illustration, mixed media and more. We also feature local performance artists throughout the year including music, dance and theater.
The 3,800 square foot building originally built in 1901 houses various functions with the main feature being the Allure Art Center. The Art Center features a 1,600 square foot first floor with a professional gallery, an artisan shop and artist studio. Art exhibits, openings, lectures, and performances are regular features of the gallery. The second and third floors feature working artist studios, classrooms and office spaces. In the back of the property we have an area for outdoor events with a stage, seating, gardens, sculpture and several decks. During the spring and summer months the center hosts the Summer Cheers concert series along with various outdoor art shows. The center has hosted an off Broadway actor’s performances as well as local musicians in acoustical performances. The Art Center has an open grounds policy, allowing any artists to come out, meet up and work on the grounds. Many weekends you can find artists outside working and doing demonstrations where you can sit with them and discuss their work. The center offers artists flexible studio rentals that can be reserved for a day, weekend, week or month and even studio sharing options. In addition to working studios, the center also hosts artists networking sessions and professional business services for the artist community. We strive to provide a vibrant and inspirational area for artists to work, exhibit and collaborate.
We are always looking to add artists to our growing community. The Art Center is on the Northern Neck Artisan Trail and the Virginia Oyster Trail, part of the Artisans Center of Virginia and listed on the Virginia Tourism website. For more information contact us at 804-323-3169, visit us at 419 Rappahannock Drive in White Stone, Va or use our contact form.
About Jeff Cherry, Founder
As someone who was exposed to art at an early age and then went on to pursue a Fine Arts degree, I strive to create a work of art out of everything I do. I want to show that art and design exists in everything and everywhere. I enjoy examining the details, various angles, the textures, light, patterns and how they can transform even the most mundane objects. I have worked in a wide variety of media and enjoy exploring them all from drawing, painting, sculpture, carving, photography and film.
I am passionate about creating images that are breathtaking and dynamic. I love being outdoors, exploring and going to extremes to capture those special moments that create amazing images. My passion and drive for perfection always keeps me looking for new ideas, techniques and locations in everything I do. From capturing nature’s beauty, creating conceptual art, casual portraits, special events to corporate work, my goal is to have my work really connect with people.
Growing up in the Tidewater area, I was surrounded by nature and spent much of my time outdoors. I loved nature and spent hours drawing small sketches of practically everything I came across. Communication Arts classes in High School allowed me to explore a vast array of media and techniques, while advancing my love of art. During this time I was fortunate to be selected annually to exhibit in many art shows, winning awards and have works published. To further my art career I attended VCU School of the Arts in Richmond Va., receiving a BFA along with specializations in film and photography. After Art School I started a design and photography business working for a variety of commercial clients. I put the business on hold to accept a position at the national advertising firm, The Martin Agency in Richmond VA, where I spent 12 years and was a Vice President. This position gave me the opportunity to travel the country and interact with global brands like Coca-Cola and Mercedes. In 2001, I started a technology consulting firm and revived the design and photography business, which I continue to run presently.
In an effort to return to my early influences and love of art, I slowly started making more time for art pursuits—creating, exhibiting, and participating in various art events. While I enjoyed participating in art festivals like Arts in the Park and Arts in The Middle, I envisioned developing a working studio and gallery for my work and businesses and acquired this property. As I discussed my plans with friends and fellow artists, their enthusiasm and interest in participating in the venture quickly lead me to change my vision and Allure Art Center was born. While most art centers and galleries are non-profits and funded by grants, we are a private local business in the community. While this can pose challenges, it also provides us some freedoms and advantages. I have developed the gallery to reflect an intimate, professional level exhibition space that will present an artist’s work in the way it should be viewed. The gallery uses professional hanging systems, museum quality lighting, environmental controls and will allow for appropriate presentation of the work. The Art Center offers working studios, classroom space, exhibition space, event space, special art events, and professional services for artists and the business community.
I welcome you to our Center and hope that you will become an active member of our art community here.
