Upcoming Events.

Brews, Brine & Wine
Jun
5

Brews, Brine & Wine

Come enjoy oysters, beer, wine and whiskey while visiting the Plein Air artists who will interpret the beautiful surroundings on their canvases, creating small works available for sale at the event. Art, food, and stunning scenery will make for a lovely evening for the whole family.

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Paint Main 2026
Jun
6

Paint Main 2026

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free, fast-paced painting event as spectators! See 30 invited Plein Air artists along with artists from the community grace the streets of Main Street!

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Symphony Under the Stars
Jun
6

Symphony Under the Stars

The concert by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is touted as one of the most anticipated events of the year in the community, drawing well over a thousand families and community members to Main Street for an evening of great food and music.

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Mathews Paint Out
Jun
9

Mathews Paint Out

The Plein Air Invitational partners with the Mathews County Bay School Community Arts Center for a one-day event in Mathews. The 2026 Plein Air Artists will be painting at various locations in Mathews County. Watch the artists at work during the day and then join us at the Bay School at 5pm for a reception.

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Patron Preview Party
Jun
11

Patron Preview Party

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at our Patron’s Preview Party!

An exclusive soirée for art patrons will be held at historic Dixondale Wharf, offering a unique opportunity to select a painting from the Artist’s Choice submissions and created by our talented plein air artists before the lottery at the upcoming gala.

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Plein Air Gala
Jun
13

Plein Air Gala

Join us for a beautiful evening at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester.

Mingle with the talented Plein Air artists while relishing a glass of sparkling wine and savoring an array of delicious heavy hors d'oeuvres.

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Flat Iron Crossroads - Skydog Concert
Jun
13

Flat Iron Crossroads - Skydog Concert

Skydog, based in Richmond, Virginia, has earned acclaim for its uncanny ability to transport audiences back to the late 1960s and early 1970s with their faithful recreation of the Allman Brothers Band’s iconic sound. Known for their intricate jams, soulful blues, and emotional depth, Skydog embodies the spirit of Southern rock at its finest. Their performances are not just tributes—they’re transformative journeys that capture the essence of one of rock's most legendary bands.

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Gloucester Arts Festival Book Fair
Jun
20

Gloucester Arts Festival Book Fair

This exciting event brings together 25 talented local authors who will meet readers, sign books, and showcase their literary works. The Book Fair is expected to draw book lovers, families, and community members of all ages, celebrating the vibrant literary scene in Gloucester and its surrounding areas. Meet Featured authors, Bill E. Johnson, local attorney & award winning author of Silent Tide, and Mary Shipko, living honoree from the “Iconic Women of Gloucester” mural on Main St, celebrating 250 years of women's achievement.

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Sports Star Screening
Jun
26

Sports Star Screening

Let’s go to the movies! Join us for the 18 minute film with Gloucester native Ellis Finney, its writer/director, and Jeff Lichtenstein, the movie’s producer.way. 

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It's A Wrap Reception
Jun
27

It's A Wrap Reception

The 2025 Heart of the River Collection will be on display at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester from June 16th through June 28th. Don’t miss this fun end to the events of the 2025 Festival.

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It's A Wrap Reception
Jun
28

It's A Wrap Reception

The 2025 Heart of the River Collection will be on display at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester from June 16th through June 28th. Don’t miss this fun end to the events of the 2025 Festival.

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It's A Wrap Reception
Jun
29

It's A Wrap Reception

The 2024 Heart of the River Collection will be on display at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester from June 9th through June 30th. Don’t miss this fun end to the events of the 2024 Festival.

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Village Arts Day
Jun
29

Village Arts Day

Village Arts Day includes an Artisan Market, Live Performances, Music, and More! A free, family-friendly day celebrating the Arts and Artists from Gloucester and around the region!

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Film Premiere: RIA: THE DIVERGENT DAFFODIL at Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester
Jun
22

Film Premiere: RIA: THE DIVERGENT DAFFODIL at Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester

The Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester is proud to host the premiere of “RIA: The Divergent Daffodil”! The event will include a screening of the film, a Q&A session with the director Sean Clinkscales and the documentary’s subject Maria Lee-Driver, promising an engaging and enriching experience for all attendees.

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Arts at Abingdon
Jun
13

Arts at Abingdon

Part of the music series spanning over 33 years, Arts at Abingdon offers a collection of concerts featuring artists from many parts of the globe.

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Plein Air Gala
Jun
8

Plein Air Gala

Mingle with the Plein Air artists while sipping sparkling wine and nibbling on heavy hors d'oeuvres from Chef Brian Marshall. Peruse all the paintings from the week and purchase your favorite! Become a Patron and enjoy the exclusive reception to get a sneak peek of the paintings in advance of the Gala opening!

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Local Color
Jun
7

Local Color

Brand new for 2024. Arts on Main hosts the Local Color Show featuring local artists and scenery. Arts on Main’s June show highlights the beauty and talent of the Middle Peninsula by featuring images of local scenes or art by local artists.

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Cocktails in the Garden
Jun
6

Cocktails in the Garden

Cocktails in the Garden in the quietly elegant gardens of Goshen Farm overlooking the Ware River will be THE place to make an appearance and have some truly yummy bites and fabulous cocktails.

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Gallery Talk
Jun
5

Gallery Talk

Come hear the inspiring story of how Robert Johnson, a lawyer in Virginia, chased his artistic muse to become a full-time Master Painter.

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Mathews Paint Out
Jun
4

Mathews Paint Out

Our Plein Air Invitational partners with the Mathews County Bay School Community Arts Center for a one-day event in Mathews. The 2025 Plein Air Artists will be painting at various locations in Mathews County. Watch the artists at work during the day and then join us at the Bay School at 5pm for a reception. There will be an optional Nocturne Paint Out for the artists on Main Street that evening.

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Mathews Paint Out
Jun
4

Mathews Paint Out

For the second year, the Plein Air Invitational is partnering with the Mathews County Bay School Community Arts Center for a one-day event in Mathews. The 2024 Plein Air Artists will be painting at various locations in Mathews County. Watch the artists at work during the day and then join us at the Bay School at 5pm for a reception.

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Meet The Artists
Jun
3

Meet The Artists

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the artist up close and personal! Held in 2024 in the Barn at Elmington Estate, this event requires a patron’s ticket to attend. This is a patron-only opportunity to purchase one of the 2024 paintings prior to the lottery at the gala.

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Symphony Under the Stars
Jun
1

Symphony Under the Stars

The June 1st concert by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is touted as one of the most anticipated events of the year in the community, drawing well over a thousand families and community members to Main Street for an evening of great food and music.

View Event →
Paint Main
Jun
1

Paint Main

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free, fast-paced painting event as spectators! See 30 invited Plein Air artists along with artists from the community grace the streets of Main Street!

View Event →
Brews, Brine & Wine
May
31

Brews, Brine & Wine

Come enjoy oysters and beer while visiting the Plein Air artists who will be interpreting the beautiful surroundings on their canvases, creating small works that will be available for sale at the event. Art, food, and beautiful scenery will make for a lovely evening for the whole family.

View Event →
It’s a Wrap!
Jun
24

It’s a Wrap!

Village Arts Day will include live performances with music, dancing, and Artisan Market. There will be food trucks and creative opportunities for the entire family. Visit Edgehill House, listen to a storyteller, help paint a local mural and find something special and one-of-a-kind at the Artisan Market!

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Village Arts Day+ Artisan Market
Jun
24

Village Arts Day+ Artisan Market

Village Arts Day will include live performances with music, dancing, and Artisan Market. There will be food trucks and creative opportunities for the entire family. Visit Edgehill House, listen to a storyteller, help paint a local mural and find something special and one-of-a-kind at the Artisan Market!

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A Night Off Broadway
Jun
17

A Night Off Broadway

Three one-act plays will be performed by different troupes including The Gloucester High School Dukes, The Williamsburg Players and one more TBA! Tickets are $10pp

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Studio Tour
Jun
17

Studio Tour

The Gloucester Arts Festival invites you to experience up close and personal the beauty and craftsmanship of Gloucester County’s talented artists during the Heart of the River Open Studio Tour. Visit studios, enjoy meeting the artists, and gain insight into their vision and techniques. Painters, potters, sculptors, and a boot maker are among the varied and exciting types of media that awaits.

Sneak Peek 3-7 on Friday, 12-5 on Saturday!

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