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On View
The Gallery is open from Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 A.M. -5:00 P.M
Sundays we are volunteer based*
Vistazos:
Glimpses of Contemporary Art
November 13 – December 5, 2026
VISTAZOS brings the vibrant perspectives of contemporary Cuban art to the Petersburg Area Art League through a special exhibition presented in collaboration with the New Cuban Art Collective.
Featuring a selection of works by Cuban artists, the exhibition explores cultural identity, heritage, surrealism, and the evolving visual language of contemporary Cuban art. Through painting, drawing, and handmade prints, the collection offers visitors an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of Cuban artistic expression.
Presented by Jeffrey Blaha and the New Cuban Art Collective, VISTAZOS creates a space for cultural exchange and connection, bringing artists and audiences together through the universal language of art.
With original works available from $10 to $1,000, the exhibition also offers an accessible opportunity to discover, collect, and directly support Cuban artists.
VISTAZOS invites visitors to look closer, experience new perspectives, and celebrate the artists and cultural traditions shaping contemporary Cuban art.
Upcoming Exhibition
Chris Milk Hulburt
December 11, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Petersburg Area Art League welcomes Richmond-based artist Chris Milk Hulburt for an exhibition celebrating the extraordinary beauty and unexpected joy of everyday life.
A self-taught artist, Hulburt creates bright, expressive works inspired by familiar landscapes, flora, and fauna. Working primarily in paint on wood, his practice transforms recognizable elements of the natural world into imaginative visual experiences, finding wonder in ordinary places and the small details that often go unnoticed.
Infused with an impulsive, almost contagious positivity, Hulburt's work radiates warmth, spontaneity, and an unmistakable sense of optimism. His vibrant compositions invite viewers to embrace curiosity, rediscover the magic in their surroundings, and experience the world with a renewed sense of possibility.
Moving between painting, textiles, sculpture, and large-scale public commissions, Hulburt's multidisciplinary practice celebrates the power of creativity to shift perspective and bring joy into everyday spaces.
Through this exhibition, PAAL invites the community to slow down, look closer, and leave with a little more wonder than they arrived with.
Something for Everyone
Invest in Petersburg’s Creative Community
Your gift supports local artists, accessible art education, and exhibitions that bring our community together. Help PAAL keep the arts thriving in Petersburg.
From hands-on art workshops and educational programs to exhibitions and community events, PAAL offers opportunities for all ages to explore creativity, discover new perspectives, and connect through the arts. Find your place in Petersburg’s creative community.
Petersburg Area Art League
PAAL is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, located in the Old Towne Petersburg Area. Founded in 1932, our mission is to promote and nurture the arts for all via our Gallery Spaces and Art Education Center. We offer workshops and classes and participate in Petersburg’s Friday for the Arts! with monthly exhibition openings every second Friday.
CLOSED MONDAYS
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Admission to PAAL is FREE.
We are pleased to announce that PAAL has been selected as the Non-Profit Business of the Month for February by the SOVA Chamber of Commerce!
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We offer our dynamic spaces as venues for meetings, parties, weddings and other events. Click the button below to learn more!
The ONWARD Art Park Mural
The Art Park hosts a variety of PAAL sponsored seasonal events and is available to rent for special occasions to the general public.
Mickael Broth’s Artist Statement This sketch addresses Petersburg’s complicated, but vital, past and looks toward the future. The Primary message is the word “ONWARD.” It summarizes the spirit of the city’s constant progression in the face of adversity. The style of the wording is derived from the traditional style of sign painting that is prevalent on the Petersburg walls. The train is both a literal reference to the rich railroading history associated with the city, as well as a nod to the Underground Railroad, the history of which is tied to many sites in the area. The Appomattox River winds through the foreground cutting across lined land, indicative of trench warfare, a style of military combat that was developed during the siege of Petersburg in the Civil War. The land rises from the river in rolling hills, before reaching the harsh landscapes of the Appalachian coal hills, to which the railroad connects. Local buildings, landmarks (such as the well on Pocahontas Island), and plants (such as Crepe Myrtles in bloom and Weeping Willows) dot the landscape and pull the composition together. My hope is that this piece can bring a bit more beauty and hope to a place rich in history and potential.
