3 Virginia Communities with Must-Visit Arts Scenes
When it comes to popular places to live and visit, Virginia regularly ranks at or near the top of lists, earning high marks for its rich history and vast opportunities for outdoor recreation. Furthermore, Old Dominion is home to several cities, like Harrisonburg, Richmond and Virginia Beach, where the arts shine like the historic lighthouses that dot Chesapeake Bay. Whether you are a creative, an arts aficionado or simply someone who enjoys the occasional artsy activity, these Virginia communities are great places to explore and plant roots.
Harmony in Harrisonburg
While it’s not one of Virginia’s largest, Harrisonburg is one of its fastest-growing cities. This can be attributed, in part, to the natural beauty it enjoys from being situated in the Shenandoah Valley region. According to Jenny Burden, executive director of Arts Council of the Valley, the beauty the city enjoys from its vibrant arts scene also doesn’t hurt.
Burden says Harrisonburg, Virginia, is appreciated for its growing visual arts community, which has exploded in popularity in the last few years, particularly its public art, like sculptures and murals.
One of the most exciting is the Unity in Diversity mural located downtown along the wall of the Taj of India restaurant, Burden says. The artist behind it is David Draime, who teaches art virtually to students in different countries. His Iranian students wanted to create a mural at home, but they couldn’t due to government restrictions. The mural is inspired and designed by his virtual students and is being installed by Draime and a team of local artists. Expected to be completed in October 2025, Burden says it’s one of the city’s must-see attractions. Other artistic attractions she recommends include:
- Smith House Galleries
Located in the fourth-oldest house in Harrisonburg, Smith House Galleries features works by established and up-and-coming artists, with original exhibitions opening on the first Friday of every month. - Court Square Theater
This cozy 260-seat space hosts movies, concerts and live theater, offering a unique viewing experience. - Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
A truly beautiful spot located on the James Madison University campus, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum features luscious blooms, trees and serene walking paths.
Riveting Sights in Richmond
When it comes to the arts, the historic city of Richmond, Virginia, is replete with offerings and opportunities for engagement, says Jordan Roeder, executive director of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.
“We have so many community centers, studio collectives, galleries and different ways that people can experience art,” she says. “And then on top of that, we have these fantastic museums.”
One thing that differentiates Richmond’s arts scene from other cities is the way artists collaborate, Roeder says. This is evidenced by the large and diverse number of festivals it hosts annually. There’s the popular Folk Fest, which primarily showcases music but also includes food and visual artwork.
“These community events center around bringing a lot of groups together,” Roeder says.
In addition to Richmond, Virginia’s, popular monthly First Fridays art walk, art shows and non-visual art forms, Roeder says there are plenty of possibilities to view artists at work or take part in the arts yourself. One spot that offers classes for all ages is the world-class Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which Roeder says visitors must visit when they’re in town. Other can’t-miss destinations include:
- Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University
Always free to enter, the ICA makes contemporary art easily accessible to visitors. - Fan District
This charming, walkable neighborhood boasts lovely architecture, fun shops and delectable restaurants. - The Valentine
Dedicated solely to Richmond’s history, the Valentine offers unique programming and impactful exhibitions as well as events, programs and guided tours.
Visual Arts in Virginia Beach
The arts scene in Virginia’s largest city is a vibe or, more specifically, a ViBe. The ViBe Creative District is the city’s central hub for the arts, says Margaret Foltz, executive director of the Virginia Beach Art Center. Filled with a diverse array of creative spaces, including galleries, studios, restaurants and the small but mighty Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the ViBe is an artistic powerhouse.
“There’s truly something always going on there,” Foltz says. “Festivals, arts tours, you name it.”
The district consistently offers a dizzying number of weekly, monthly and annual community events, many of which are hosted by the Virginia Beach Art Center, which not only features local and regional art, but offers art classes to the community.
“We work really hard to make sure locals and visitors have access to the arts and can engage with them,” she says.
Another noteworthy artistic area of the city is Town Center, Foltz says. In addition to hosting art-centric events, it features numerous art galleries, Zeiders American Dream Theater and Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Zeiders Theater is an intimate, unique space emphasizing new performances written by local playwrights, musicians and comedians. In addition to hosting touring acts, the state-of-the-art Sandler Center features performances from Symphonicity, the Virginia Beach symphony orchestra.
Virginia Beach is also full of natural beauty. Foltz recommends visitors check out the following:
- Red Wing Park
This 97-acre park boasts gorgeous public gardens and hosts the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which Foltz says visitors need to experience. - Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Learn about Virginia marine life via exhibits, interactive science displays and a dazzling 300,000-gallon tank featuring sharks and rays. - Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Indulge in biking, hiking, birdwatching, photography and fishing at this pristine nature preserve.
This article is sponsored by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.