'Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.' —Paul Brandt
Riverviews Artspace presents “The Sky is Not the Limit,” an artistic celebration of flight in all its limitless possibilities.
On First Friday, May 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Riverviews Artspace will present an exciting and ground-breaking exhibition, a celebration of flight in all its historic, symbolic, and metaphorical possibilities, sponsored by the Lynchburg Regional Airport and in partnership with Amazement Square, Jubilee Family Development Center and the Anne Spencer House.
The Riverviews Main Gallery will showcase the work of 15 significant artists, both local and national, who have competed for inclusion in this important show and juried by Lesely Shipley. Among them is a Virginia artist who creates paintings that explore the varying perspectives humans have of the planet and who has had work in a number of New York galleries and the Taubman Museum of Art. Other artists reference environmental concerns or simply the beauty of flight itself. There will be a variety of mediums including imaginative and playful 3D pieces. Lynchburg’s own NASA Astronaut Leland Melvin will be in attendance, exhibiting his amazing astrophotography from his missions on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. He will also be happy to autograph your copy of his book, Chasing Space, if you would like to bring it to the gallery.
Enjoy the Jubilee Center Student Art Show in Riverviews Gallery 108, presenting student artwork related to flight along with a paper airplane making activity and paper airplane throwing contest. At 6:30 pm there will be a special talk by the Anne Spencer House and Gardens Executive Director Shaun Spencer-Hester, titled “Who is Chauncey Spencer?” The talk will highlight the life of Chauncey Spencer, an important pioneer in aviation from Lynchburg who was instrumental in the creation of the world famous Tuskegee Airmen. Later this month there will be a special exhibit at Amazement Square concentrating on the Tuskegee Airmen.
All age groups at opening night are invited to enjoy a Pop-Up Planetarium sponsored by Amazement Square. Step into the inflatable planetarium in Riverviews’ Gallery 108 and discover the intersection of art, science, and solar observation in a unique way. You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind First Friday experience! It promises to be an unforgettable evening. You will enjoy live music by Selah Vie in the main gallery, wander through the artspace and visit a number of open artists studios to see where all the magic happens. The bar will be open (cash or credit) and a charcuterie board sponsored by Isabellas promises attendees delicious gourmet offerings.
After the First Friday opening reception on May 3rd, “The Sky is Not the Limit” exhibition will be on view at Riverviews Artspace through June 13, 2024, and the gallery will be open Wednesday through Friday, from 12::00 to 4:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Donations encouraged.