Our Story
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. Allure 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.
