Excited? Curious? Skeptical? Concerned about the future of work?

No matter where you stand, one thing is certain: AI is changing the world.

Every day, millions of people use AI to search for information, trade stocks, create websites, and solve problems. Behind every one of those interactions is a massive physical infrastructure that most people never see, and that infrastructure is creating new career opportunities for skilled workers across the country.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, communicate, and innovate. Businesses across nearly every industry are investing in AI, and with that investment comes an unprecedented demand for the people who build and maintain the infrastructure that makes this technology possible.

When most people think about careers in AI, they often picture software developers, computer programmers, or data scientists. Those careers are certainly important, but there is another side of the AI revolution that is creating thousands of opportunities for skilled workers.

In many ways, the future of AI depends just as much on skilled trades as it does on software engineers.

Behind every AI application is a data center filled with servers, networking equipment, sophisticated cooling systems, and complex electrical infrastructure. Many large data centers use hundreds of thousands of gallons of water each day to help cool their servers. Before a single AI model can answer a question or generate an image, someone has to design, build, wire, install, test, and maintain the facility that powers it.

AI Needs More Than Programmers

One of the most surprising facts about today’s AI economy is that some of the biggest challenges are not technological. They are workforce related.

Microsoft has publicly stated that one of the largest obstacles to expanding AI infrastructure in the United States is the shortage of skilled trades workers, particularly electricians and pipefitters. The company estimates that America will need approximately 500,000 new electricians over the next decade to meet growing electricity and data center demands.

Microsoft has also emphasized that AI depends on the people who build, wire, weld, install, maintain, and operate the infrastructure behind the technology. While AI may change how some jobs are performed, it cannot replace the hands-on craftsmanship, experience, and judgment required to construct and maintain these facilities.

As Microsoft recently noted, “The future will not be built by technology alone. It will be built by the people who show up every day with skill and purpose.”

That statement reminds us that while AI may shape tomorrow’s economy, people will continue to build it.

Every new data center requires thousands of hours of electrical work, mechanical installation, plumbing, HVAC systems, networking, safety inspections, and ongoing maintenance before it ever goes online.

The Skilled Trades Are Powering the AI Economy

As AI continues to grow, so does the demand for careers such as:

• Electricians
• HVAC Technicians
• Pipefitters
• Welders
• Construction Professionals
• Data Center Maintenance Technicians
• Industrial Mechanics
• Information Technology Specialists
• Network Infrastructure Technicians

These careers often provide competitive wages, paid apprenticeships, valuable certifications, and long-term career stability.

Technology may be advancing rapidly, but many of the careers supporting AI require practical skills that can only be learned through training and experience.

A Career Path Without a Traditional Four-Year Degree

One of the biggest opportunities in today’s workforce is that many skilled trade careers do not require a traditional four-year college degree. Instead, individuals can enter these fields through registered apprenticeship programs, technical training, certifications, and hands-on experience.

Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to earn while you learn by combining paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction. These programs allow individuals to build valuable skills, gain industry experience, and work toward nationally recognized credentials.

For those interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, consider:

• Exploring registered apprenticeship programs through trade organizations and workforce development partners.
• Connecting with local trade unions that offer apprenticeship opportunities for careers such as electrical work, plumbing, and construction.
• Researching technical programs and certifications offered through community colleges and vocational schools.
• Speaking with professionals already working in the field to learn about career pathways and required skills.
• Building foundational skills in areas such as mathematics, safety, problem-solving, and technology.

In Virginia, Virginia Works helps connect residents with career opportunities and registered apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. Registered apprenticeships are available for individuals seeking their first career, changing careers, or looking to develop new skills in growing industries.

To explore apprenticeship opportunities in Virginia, visit:

• Virginia Works Registered Apprenticeship Programs
• Virginia Works Career Resources

The first step is often simply learning what opportunities are available and identifying the pathway that is right for you.

Virginia Is at the Center of the AI Boom

This opportunity is especially relevant for Virginians.

Northern Virginia is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of data centers, and new facilities continue to be planned throughout the Commonwealth. The growth of AI infrastructure is creating demand for construction workers today and long-term careers in operations, maintenance, and information technology.

Microsoft and other technology companies have partnered with community colleges, vocational schools, and apprenticeship organizations to help prepare local residents for these growing career opportunities. Programs such as the Microsoft Datacenter Academy are helping students earn industry-recognized certifications for careers supporting data center operations.

Learning Is the First Step

Whether you’re a high school student planning your future, someone considering a career change, or simply exploring new possibilities, there has never been a better time to invest in learning.

Not every rewarding career begins with a four-year college degree. Many skilled trades offer apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with paid, hands-on experience, allowing individuals to earn while they learn.

Reading about different careers, understanding certification pathways, and researching apprenticeship opportunities can help you make informed decisions about your future.

Every new skill begins by learning something new. Whether you’re exploring electrical work, cybersecurity, construction, artificial intelligence, or entrepreneurship, a single book can introduce you to a career you may never have considered.

Your Library Can Help

The Petersburg Public Library believes learning should last a lifetime.

Whether you’re interested in skilled trades, technology, entrepreneurship, or professional development, the library offers resources to help you take the next step.

• Explore books about electrical work, construction, engineering, artificial intelligence, information technology, and career planning. Remember you can request any book through our Interlibrary Loan Program.
• Research apprenticeship programs, certifications, and vocational training opportunities.
• Use free public computers and internet access to search for educational programs, scholarships, and job openings.
• Discover career guides, resume resources, and educational materials designed to help you build new skills.

Every great career begins with knowledge, and your library is one of the best places to start.

The post Prepare for the AI Economy at Your Library: Why Electricians and Skilled Trades Are the Future appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

Running Now through August 2026, the challenge encourages adults to discover new books, explore library resources, and experience the many benefits of lifelong reading.

Why Read This Summer?

Reading is one of the simplest ways to invest in your brain health. Keeping your mind engaged through reading may help strengthen memory, improve focus, and build cognitive reserve, which researchers believe can contribute to healthy aging.

Whether you enjoy mystery novels, biographies, history, personal finance, inspirational books, or audiobooks, every page you read is an opportunity to learn, relax, and grow.

How the Challenge Works

Participating is easy.

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have a Petersburg Public Library card.
• Register in person at the Petersburg Public Library.
• Receive a special registration gift.
• Check out three or more books during each visit to earn a stamp.
• Each stamp earns you an entry into the prize drawing of your choice.

Win Great Prizes

Every prize is valued at $75.

Choose from:

• Gas Gift Card
• Dinner for Two
• Massage Gift Card
• Cash Gift Card
• Swaders Sports Park Gift Card

The more you read, the more opportunities you’ll have to win.

Read Your Way

The Adult Summer Reading Challenge includes a variety of reading formats to fit your lifestyle.

Participants can enjoy:

• Fiction
• Nonfiction
• Biographies
• Graphic novels
• Financial literacy books
• New releases
• Books on CD
• Audiobooks
• Digital books through Hoopla, Libby, and Magzter

Whether you prefer reading at home, listening while driving, or relaxing with an eBook on your tablet, there’s something for everyone.

Register Today

Registration is available in person only at the Petersburg Public Library.

If you don’t already have a Petersburg Public Library card, our staff will be happy to help you get one so you can begin your summer reading journey.

We look forward to helping you discover your next great read while making this your most rewarding summer yet.

Petersburg Public Library
201 W. Washington Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 733-2387

The post Adult Summer Reading Challenge 2026! appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

At Petersburg Public Library, we believe libraries are more than places to borrow books. They are places where ideas are explored, stories are shared, and communities come together to better understand one another. This month, we invite visitors to experience these conversations through both literature and art.

Reading Can Support Mental Wellness

Reading has long been recognized as a healthy way to relax, reflect, and learn. Whether you’re enjoying a novel, reading poetry, exploring history, or learning about mental health, books provide opportunities to slow down, reduce everyday stress, build empathy, and gain new perspectives.

Our Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful reminder that every page turned is an investment in lifelong learning and personal well-being. While reading is not a substitute for professional mental health care, it can become part of a healthy routine that encourages mindfulness, reflection, and personal growth.

Throughout July, we encourage everyone to pick up a new book, participate in our Summer Reading Challenge, and continue learning about the experiences of others.

July Artist of the Month: Kameron Lee

The Petersburg Public Library is proud to feature Kameron Lee as our July Artist of the Month.

Born in December 2005 and raised in Victoria, Virginia, Lee is a multimedia artist whose work examines the lasting effects of trauma through powerful visual storytelling. Inspired by both personal experiences and broader social issues, his artwork explores subjects including PTSD, domestic violence, discrimination, police brutality, grief, identity, and resilience.

Currently a rising senior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts at Virginia State University, Lee has already earned significant recognition. His work has been featured in the Virginia State University Department of Art & Design’s 2025 and 2026 Student Juried Exhibitions, receiving the Juror’s Choice Award in 2025, along with Best in Alternate Media and Best in Show honors in 2026. His artwork has also been commissioned by several Virginia State University faculty members, including Department Chair Stephanie K. O’Dell and Provost Dr. Tia A. Minnis.

Following graduation, Lee plans to pursue a Master of Fine Arts while continuing his research into trauma studies and expanding his independent artistic practice.

Art That Encourages Conversation

Lee’s exhibition asks viewers to look beyond the surface and consider how trauma affects individuals, families, and entire communities.

One of the exhibition’s most compelling installations, Masked, features ninety paper mache masks covered with colored duct tape. The masks symbolize the emotional barriers people often construct after experiencing trauma. The duct tape gags represent silence, censorship, and the pressure many survivors feel to hide their experiences rather than speak openly.

The colors carry their own symbolism:

• Teal represents PTSD.
• Purple represents domestic violence.
• Green represents mental health.

Displayed on a fence, the installation reflects the invisible barriers that often separate trauma survivors from understanding and support. The ninety masks reference Lee’s personal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) score of 9 out of 10, highlighting the lasting impact childhood trauma can have throughout life.

Other featured works continue these conversations from different perspectives.

• Aggression is a charcoal and graphite drawing expressing grief, frustration, and resilience within the Black experience.
• Hands Up, Don’t Shoot! uses sculpted hands to examine vulnerability, resistance, accountability, and the lasting effects of violence.
• Kill Till confronts the enduring legacy of Emmett Till’s murder, reminding viewers that some historical wounds continue to shape the present.
• Some Wounds Never Heal illustrates how trauma leaves lasting emotional scars long after an event has ended.
• Lynched Man Bust reflects upon America’s history of racial terror while honoring those whose stories should never be forgotten.
• Woven Crowns explores Black identity, gender expression, beauty, and acceptance through crocheted portraiture inspired by the CROWN Act.
• The Trinity combines crochet and bandanas into three symbolic figures representing Rebellion, Unity, and Optimism, celebrating hip hop culture while encouraging activism and hope for the future.
• Finally, Gethsemane connects themes of faith, endurance, and healing by drawing parallels between Christian symbolism and the emotional realities of trauma, suggesting that resilience can emerge even through profound suffering.

Libraries Are Places for Learning and Reflection

Art and literature have the unique ability to help us understand experiences different from our own. They encourage empathy, challenge assumptions, and create opportunities for important conversations that strengthen our communities.

This July, we invite you to visit Petersburg Public Library to experience Kameron Lee’s thought-provoking exhibition, browse books that inspire growth and understanding, and participate in our Summer Reading Challenge.

Together, we can continue building a community where stories are heard, creativity is celebrated, and learning never stops.

To learn more about Kameron Lee or inquire about his artwork, contact him at: KameronLeeArtist@gmail.com

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Celebrate National Black Music Month with The Art of Black Sound, a June 2026 art exhibit by local artist Jonae Archer at the Petersburg Public Library, inspired by the influence, expression, and cultural impact of Black music.

Visit the Art Gallery at the Petersburg Public Library and experience a collection that explores the connection between sound, creativity, identity, and visual storytelling.

The Art of Black Sound is a visual celebration of Black music and its influence on everyday life, culture, and artistic expression. Through vivid artwork inspired by 90s R&B, 90s Hip-Hop, and the sounds of the early 2000s, Jonae Archer explores how music became both a personal soundtrack and a source of creative inspiration.

The exhibit features urban artistic expressions inspired by influential artists including Pharrell Williams, Tyler, the Creator, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. Visitors will also find two freestyle reinterpretations inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose groundbreaking artistic vision and cultural influence continue to inspire generations of artists and musicians. Jay-Z has openly referenced Basquiat in his music, most notably on Magna Carta Holy Grail, where he raps, “I’m the new Jean-Michel.” The reference reflects Basquiat’s enduring influence on contemporary music, art, and culture.

This exhibit celebrates the enduring relationship between Black music, storytelling, and visual art while honoring the lasting impact of Black culture on creativity and self-expression. Join us in celebrating local artistry, community, and the power of the arts in Petersburg.

Some expressions can only be experienced in person.

The rest, you’ll have to come and see.

The post The Art of Black Sound by Jonae Archer appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

Come. Discover the wonder within you.

Summer is the perfect time to explore new stories, discover new interests, and develop lifelong reading habits. The Petersburg Public Library invites children and teens to participate in the 2026 Summer Reading Program, where reading can lead to exciting prizes while helping young readers maintain and strengthen their literacy skills.

How the Summer Reading Program Works

Participants are encouraged to read at least 30 minutes each day throughout the summer. Readers can track their progress using the Beanstack website or by using a paper reading log available through the Children’s Department.

In addition to logging reading time, participants will complete age-appropriate reading activities:

• Ages 2–6: Illustration reviews
• Ages 7–17: Book reviews

These activities encourage children and teens to engage more deeply with what they read while developing creativity, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

Important Dates

Participants using paper reading logs should submit their completed logs to the Children’s Department by the following dates:

• June 30, 2026 – Deadline for entry into the first prize drawing
• July 30, 2026 – Deadline for entry into the final prize drawing

Grand Prize Drawing Dates

• July 1, 2026
• July 31, 2026

Prize Opportunities

Readers who participate in the Summer Reading Program will have opportunities to win a variety of prizes.

Ages 7–14

• Busy Boards
• Squishmallows
• 3D-Printed Spheres
• 3D-Printed Dragons

Ages 15–17

• Travel Duffle Bags
• 1 Billion Shape Magnetic Pyramid

Summer Events and Activities

The Summer Reading Program is about more than just reading—it’s about learning, creating, exploring, and having fun all summer long. In addition to reading and earning prizes, children, teens, and families are invited to participate in a variety of free programs and special events.

Movies on Mondays Series

Enjoy family-friendly films throughout the summer.

Dates:

• June 8
• June 15
• June 22
• July 6
• July 13
• July 20
• July 27

Visit the Event Calendar for movie titles and showtimes.

Sharing a Harvest Event

• June 10

Goalie Game Workshop

Test your skills and enjoy outdoor fun.

• June 10
• 12:00 PM
• Small Parking Area

Pokémon Club

Meet fellow Pokémon fans, trade ideas, and enjoy themed activities.

Dates:

• June 13
• June 27
• July 11
• July 25

Story Time & Resource Session

Stories, learning, and resources for families.

Dates:

• June 20
• July 18

Kids Fit

Get active with outdoor fitness activities.

Date:

• June 26
• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Parking Lot

TGICF – Thank Goodness It’s Craft Friday

Pick up free craft bags and enjoy creative activities throughout the summer while supplies last.

Teen Cuisine

Learn cooking skills and healthy food preparation in this six-class series.

Wednesdays:

• 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
• Six classes total

YA Round Table

Ages 15–18

Join discussions about books, pop culture, and topics important to teens while helping create content for the library’s YouTube Channel.

Dates:

• June 18
• June 25
• July 9
• July 16
• July 23
• July 30

Science Heroes

Experience interactive science demonstrations and hands-on learning.

Date:

• July 15
• 12:30 PM

Summer Reading JAM

Celebrate a summer of reading with games, activities, and community fun.

Date:

• July 30
• 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Car Show

Close out the summer with an exciting display of classic and unique vehicles.

Date:

• July 31
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

For the latest information, event details, and schedule updates, visit the library’s Event Calendar or contact the Children’s Department.

Why Summer Reading Matters

Research shows that students who continue reading during the summer are better prepared for the next school year. Regular reading helps prevent the “summer slide,” a loss of academic skills that can occur when students are away from the classroom for extended periods.

Benefits of summer reading include:

• Developing a lifelong love of reading
• Strengthening reading comprehension skills
• Expanding vocabulary and language development
• Encouraging imagination and creativity
• Improving memory and concentration
• Building confidence and self-assurance
• Supporting academic success throughout the school year

Even just 30 minutes of reading each day can make a meaningful difference.

Get Started Today

Whether your child enjoys adventure stories, graphic novels, biographies, science books, or picture books, the Petersburg Public Library has resources for readers of all ages and interests.

Visit the Children’s Department to register, pick up a reading log, or learn more about participating through Beanstack.

Make reading part of your summer routine and discover where a good book can take you.

The post Summer Reading Program 2026 appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

One simple way to engage your brain is through reading.

Reading is more than entertainment. When we read, our brains process language, create mental images, make connections, and exercise memory. Whether you’re reading a novel, exploring a new subject, or listening to an audiobook, you’re engaging your mind in meaningful ways.

Many people say they don’t have time to read. Between work, family responsibilities, and busy schedules, finding extra time can be difficult. The good news is that reading doesn’t have to mean sitting down with a 300-page book for hours at a time.

A few minutes of reading during a lunch break, before bed, or while waiting for an appointment can add up over time. Audiobooks offer another convenient option, allowing you to enjoy books while commuting, exercising, or completing everyday tasks.

Keeping your mind active can fit into your daily routine. Reading, listening to audiobooks, learning a new skill, or exploring a topic that interests you are all great ways to engage your brain and support lifelong learning.

The Petersburg Public Library offers a wide variety of resources to help you get started, including:

• Books on brain health, memory, and healthy aging
• Resources for caregivers and families
• Fiction and nonfiction titles for all interests
• eBooks and audiobooks available through Libby
• Educational materials on health, wellness, history, and lifelong learning

Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour, there’s a story or new skill waiting for you.

This June, visit the Petersburg Public Library and discover books, audiobooks, and digital resources that can help you stay informed, inspired, and engaged.

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This month, the Petersburg Public Library is proud to feature Virginia-based contemporary abstract artist Jade Carter (Doing Business as Creating AS) and her exhibit, Peace from Anxiety.

The title alone speaks to something many people quietly experience every day.

Anxiety can often feel overwhelming, loud, unpredictable, and difficult to explain. For some, it appears as racing thoughts or emotional exhaustion. For others, it can feel like pressure to keep pushing forward while carrying invisible weight. In a world filled with constant noise, responsibilities, and uncertainty, finding moments of peace has become increasingly important.

Through texture, movement, and layered emotion, Creating AS transforms those feelings into visual expression.

Inspired by music, film, perseverance, vulnerability, and everyday life, her abstract works explore the tension between chaos and calm. Some paintings emerge intense and emotionally charged, while others offer softness, stillness, and reflection. Together, the collection creates a visual conversation about resilience, identity, emotional honesty, and the search for peace within difficult moments.

Working with acrylic paint, acrylic ink, spray paint, spackle, paint knives, and Sakura ink pens, Creating AS embraces experimentation and instinct as essential parts of the creative process. Rather than aiming for perfection, she allows emotion to guide each piece organically.

Influenced by Vincent van Gogh and Michelangelo, Creating AS views art as both expression and escape — a way to process emotion, block out the noise of the world, and create something honest from it.

Featured works in the exhibit include:

• Pieces, a connected three-piece composition exploring individuality within unity
• Backbone, a textured work symbolizing strength and resilience
• Victorian, a matte black textured painting embracing emotional honesty and self-expression
• The Best of Me, a piece created through emotional exhaustion and perseverance, inspired in part by Suga and themes of resilience

During Mental Health Awareness Month, Peace from Anxiety serves as a reminder that creativity can be more than art. It can become reflection, release, healing, and connection.

Sometimes peace does not arrive all at once. Sometimes it is found in quiet moments, honest expression, supportive spaces, music, books, conversation, or even standing in front of a painting that reflects something you have felt but never knew how to describe.

We invite the community to visit the exhibit, reflect, and take a moment for themselves inside the library’s gallery space.

Come. Discover the Wonder Within You.

The post Peace from Anxiety with Jade Carter appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

Each live concert is hosted on stage inside of the Petersburg Public Library Conference & Event Center.

2026 Concert Lineup

• Friday, April 10 – Jay Baxter & J.A.M.
• Friday, May 8 – The Fam Band
• Friday, June 12 – Sounds Funny Band
• Friday, July 10 – Kozy Cats Band
• Friday, August 14 – Soul Unlimited Band
• Friday, September 11 – Rodney Stith

The series is hosted by Micah “Bam Bam” White, a comedian, actor, and speaker. He has appeared on platforms such as TEDx, All Star Comedy Show, and the movie Red Kool-Aid. His energy and personality help create a fun and engaging experience at every concert.

“Jazz in the Stacks is part of the Downtown Petersburg tradition of ‘Friday for the Arts,’ which we help keep alive,” said Wayne Crocker, Library Director.

What once focused on visual art and an artist of the month has evolved into a musical celebration that honors the performing arts and the literary arts, since someone had to compose and write each song. Each performance offers a safe, welcoming space for the community to connect, enjoy great music, and celebrate local talent. The series provides a free, engaging cultural experience while also encouraging reading and literacy throughout the year.

Event Details

Location:
Petersburg Public Library
201 W. Washington St.
Petersburg, VA 23803

Time:
Doors open at 6:00 PM

Admission:
Free and open to the public

Food and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase

Safety:
Security is present at each concert to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment.

What to Expect

• Live Music
• Fun
• Jazz in the Stacks is one of Petersburg’s most popular live music events. Many concerts reach capacity, with standing-room-only crowds.
• Arrive on time to secure your spot and enjoy an evening of great music in an intimate setting.
• If our parking lot is full, you may park next door at the church beside us.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in supporting Jazz in the Stacks? Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to connect with a strong and engaged audience.

Dominion Energy is already a sponsor of the September 11, 2026 concert.

For more information, please contact rdesper@ppls.org.

The post Jazz in the Stacks 2026 appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

How Interlibrary Loans Work

1. Request Your Item: Ask a librarian at the Petersburg Public Library
2. We Find It: Our staff searches partner libraries nationwide to locate the item.
3. Pick It Up: When it arrives (within 1-2 weeks), you’ll be notified and can pick it up at the library.
4. Read & Return: Enjoy the item and return it by the due date, just like any other library material.

Why you should Try Interlibrary Loans?

• Expand Your Options: Get books, articles, and media not available in our collection.
• Save Money: Borrow instead of buying costly or hard-to-find materials.
• Support Your Learning: Perfect for students, researchers, or anyone pursuing a personal project.

Ready to Request Your First Item?

Stop by the Petersburg Public Library (Come inside or Use our Drive Through Service) to submit your request today!

The post We Don’t Always Have Every Book on Hand, But We Can Get It for You (FREE) appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.

Experience the vibrant world of jazz through art! The Petersburg Public Library is proud to present Jazzology, the April 2026 Artist of the Month exhibit by local talent Joshua “Ray” Branch-Howell. The exhibit will be on display throughout the month of April 2026, offering visitors a chance to explore artwork inspired by Jazz Appreciation Month.

Artist Talk & Meet-and-Greet

Join us on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for an artist talk and meet-and-greet with Joshua “Ray” Branch-Howell. Ray will share insights into his creative process, discuss the inspiration behind Jazzology, and answer questions from attendees. This is a unique opportunity for students, art enthusiasts, and the community to connect directly with one of our region’s rising artists.

About Joshua “Ray” Branch-Howell

Born in Hopewell in 2003 and raised in the Petersburg/Chesterfield tri-county area, Ray began making art at just two years old after being diagnosed with autism. Influenced by music, he has developed a style rooted in experimentation and rhythm, often using oil pastels and printmaking as his signature mediums. Many of his works pay tribute to musicians and cultural figures, blending African diasporic traditions with contemporary expression.

Ray’s work has earned recognition nationally and regionally, including exhibitions such as The Space Between Notes: Thelonious Monk Tribute Exhibition at Paper Mill Playhouse, the National Conference of Artists MLK Jr. Commemorative Exhibition at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and The EMERGE IX Exhibition at the Bond Millen Gallery. His triptych The Path of Monk is part of the official Thelonious Monk Estate collection.

Currently living in Colonial Heights, Ray is completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts at Virginia State University. His recent projects explore themes of music, cultural identity, and social commentary, making Jazzology a celebration of rhythm, creativity, and local culture.

Visit the Exhibit

Stop by the Petersburg Public Library throughout April 2026 to experience Jazzology in person. Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, explore the intersection of music and visual art, and support a talented young artist from our community.

The post Come See Jazzology: Presented by Joshua Branch-Howell appeared first on Petersburg Public Library.