September 25, 2025

Elevate Petersburg by Kyle Witten

This September, the Petersburg Public Library is proud to showcase the work of Kyle Witten, a talented photographer and drone pilot whose passion for storytelling shines through every frame.

A transplant from Kentucky, Kyle and his family made Petersburg their home in 2024. Since then, they have been inspired by the city’s welcoming spirit, vibrant culture, and the exciting momentum of growth and change happening all around.

With over 20 years of experience in photography and videography, Kyle launched Modern Man Photography to provide high-quality media at reasonable prices. His work spans portraits, community events, small business branding, and stunning drone photography that captures Petersburg from above in ways few have seen before.

When he is not behind the camera, Kyle enjoys playing tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons and cooking comfort foods from around the world. His creative energy extends beyond his art. It is part of how he connects with others, building bridges across community, culture, and shared experiences.

Kyle’s belief is simple: if you are a person, family, community organization, or small business doing big things in Petersburg, you deserve to be seen and celebrated. Through his lens, he helps elevate those stories, capturing the beauty and strength of our city.

If you see him around town with his camera or drone, do not be shy. Wave and say hello.

Artist Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804-966-0887

Exhibit Dates: September 1 – September 30, 2025
Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., Petersburg, Virginia 23803

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August 13, 2025

Authentic African Art on Display

This August, the Petersburg Public Library invites you to explore an extraordinary exhibition of authentic African art. The featured artists are Charlie Mub, a fashion designer and mixed-media artist, and Anesu Gara, a mixed-media artist. Both were born in Zimbabwe.

Their work will be on display through the end of the month. This is a rare chance to experience the rich creativity, cultural depth, and vibrant storytelling of Zimbabwean artistry.

A Special Artist Visit
During Friday for the Arts, both artists visited the Library to speak about their work. They shared the stories behind their pieces, from fashion-inspired canvases to textures drawn from nature. Visitors were able to connect with the meaning and process behind the art.

One moving example is Charlie Mub’s piece Domboshava. It is inspired by a sacred mountain in Zimbabwe where people gather to pray and connect with God. The painting shows two African women with hands raised toward the heavens, capturing the deep spiritual meaning the mountain holds for the community.

About the Artists
Charlie Mub began her creative journey at age 10, sketching dresses and hand-stitching garments from fabric scraps. Her designs have appeared in fashion shows in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the United States. Today, she brings her talent to the canvas, combining fabric, paint, flowers, and 3D elements to create striking mixed-media works. Her art blends beauty, identity, and heritage, reimagined from her African roots and global experiences.

Anesu Gara’s work focuses on form, texture, and the relationship between materials. She draws inspiration from the colors, patterns, and rhythms of nature. Her creations combine paint, natural materials, and sculptural elements, producing tactile works that invite viewers to engage with multiple layers of meaning. Her art reflects adaptability, curiosity, and the expressive possibilities of her materials.

Visit Before the Month Ends
This exhibition offers more than beautiful artwork. It is a journey into Zimbabwean culture, told through color, texture, and story. Whether you enjoy art, fashion, or simply new perspectives, you will not want to miss this display of authentic African artistry.

The artwork is on view until August 30, 2025, at the Petersburg Public Library. Come see the beauty, heritage, and creativity of these talented artists before the month ends.

Artist Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-209-1233

Exhibit Dates: August 1 – August 30, 2025
Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., Petersburg, Virginia 23803

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July 3, 2025

Horizon/tal by Dolly Holmes

Step into the abstract, panoramic worldview of Dolly Holmes. Her exhibition Horizon/tal is on display for the month of July in the Library Gallery.

Since the early 2000s, Holmes has explored wide rectangular forms in her work, evoking panoramic landscapes, reclining figures, and a sense of continuity beyond the edge of the canvas. Her abstract panels use color and form to translate thought and emotion into visual experiences. In her words, “In a world that constantly urges us to speed up, this work serves as a reminder to slow down and embrace the beauty within.”

Holmes is a painter and graphic designer based in Petersburg. Educated at The Cooper Union and Hunter College in New York, she credits early American modernists such as Marsden Hartley, John Marin, and Arthur Dove as mentors. Since moving to Old Towne Petersburg in 1997, she has exhibited nationally, including at the Painting Center in New York, Perspective Gallery at Virginia Tech, and locally at the Walton Gallery and Sol Cooper Gallery.

In addition to her studio work, Dolly designed the historical timeline that is permanently installed in the Rotunda of the Petersburg Public Library. This installation reflects her ongoing fascination with wide rectangular compositions.

Horizon/tal is open to the public during regular library hours through July 31, 2025.

To learn more about the artist and view additional works, visit dolmarva.com/dh.

  • Exhibit Dates: July 01 – July 31, 2025
  • Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St. Petersburg, Virginia 23803
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