December 23, 2025

New Book Release during Friday for the Arts Features Local Author Laurel Charboneau

The Petersburg Public Library welcomed patrons for a special edition of Friday for the Arts, spotlighting local author and historian Laurel Charboneau. Attendees explored Petersburg’s rich history through literature, photography, and shared conversation, reinforcing the library’s role as a cultural and educational gathering space.

Charboneau is the author of Historic Petersburg (Images of America), a compelling visual history documenting the city’s past through carefully curated archival photographs and informative narrative. During the event, visitors engaged with the author, learned about her research process, and gained deeper insight into the stories that have shaped Petersburg over time.

An accompanying exhibit, displayed throughout the library, featured historical images of Petersburg alongside Charboneau’s original artwork, including a collage highlighting businesses that have influenced the city over the past 100-plus years. The display reflects her personal journey of discovery, inspired by questions she encountered while exploring Petersburg’s historic districts. This curiosity led her to conduct independent research and create Historic Petersburg, making the city’s history more accessible for others. Visitors were encouraged to reflect on Petersburg’s evolution and participate in conversations about preservation, identity, and community pride.

This event was proudly sponsored by local Grand Canyon University representative Sannia Hutchinson, who supports access to continuing education opportunities in the community. For more information about continuing education at Grand Canyon University, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, contact Sannia Hutchinson at 804-840-3552 or email [email protected]

Exhibit Dates: December 1 – December 31, 2025
Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., Petersburg, Virginia 23803

For more information or to contact the artist:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804-712-2586
YouTube: Historic Petersburg Virginia
Instagram: @laurelspetersburgva

Friday for the Arts continues to be one of the library’s most popular monthly experiences, offering residents a chance to engage with local creators, celebrate the arts, and connect with the community. Mark your calendars and bring a friend for an evening of conversation, discovery, and local history.

December 10, 2025

Friday for the Arts to Feature Local Author Laurel Charboneau

Friday, December 12, 2025
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Petersburg Public Library

The Petersburg Public Library will welcome the community for a special Friday for the Arts event featuring local author and history enthusiast Laurel Charboneau. Known for her captivating book Historic Petersburg (Images of America), Charboneau brings the city’s rich history to life through carefully curated photographs and storytelling.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the author, hear insights about her work, and explore the stories behind the images that shape Petersburg’s past. Charboneau’s passion for local history and her dedication to preserving the city’s heritage make this event a meaningful highlight of the month.

Visitors can also purchase a signed copy of Historic Petersburg, perfect for personal collections or holiday gifts for history enthusiasts.

The event coincides with Laurel Charboneau’s month-long exhibit at the library:

Exhibit Dates: December 1 – December 31, 2025
Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., Petersburg, Virginia 23803

For more information or to contact the artist:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804-712-2586
YouTube: Historic Petersburg Virginia
Instagram: @laurelspetersburgva

November 21, 2025

Celebrating the Artist Within: A Recap of Friday for the Arts with Christopher C. Alexander IV

The Petersburg Public Library was filled with creativity and connection during our November Friday for the Arts celebration featuring our Artist of the Month, Christopher C. Alexander IV. His realistic work, rich in color and emotion, set the stage for an evening dedicated not only to art, but to the spark of creativity that lives within all of us.

The evening was hosted by fellow artist and author Theresa Caldwell. Theresa guided the audience through a thought-provoking conversation that invited everyone in the room to reflect on their own creative journeys. Her warm and encouraging style opened doors for honest dialogue about expression, confidence, and the role that art can play in our lives.

One of the most powerful moments of the night came when Theresa spoke directly to an audience member who shared that their inner artist had been quiet for many years. Theresa gently facilitated a meaningful exchange between this community member and Christopher C. Alexander IV, building a bridge between past passion and renewed possibility. Together they explored what it means to reconnect with creativity, to pick up a pencil again, and to simply begin. Christopher encouraged them to buy a sketchbook and take the first small step. The entire room felt the energy of that moment. It reminded us that creativity is always within reach.

The evening also brought joy to one of our youngest attendees. A young art collector, no more than ten years old, carefully selected a Mini Print Painting Replica to take home. Christopher signed it for her, creating a meaningful memory and planting a seed that may inspire her own artistic path. Her excitement reminded us that the arts belong to every generation.

Friday for the Arts once again showed how art brings people together and uplifts our community. Christopher C. Alexander IV continues to inspire with the depth of his artistry and his generosity in sharing his creative process. Theresa Caldwell’s guidance made the evening one to remember and invited every person present to honor the artist inside themselves.

It is never too late to begin again. Whether you paint, write, dance, create in the kitchen, or design your next big idea, the arts offer healing, joy, reflection, and connection.

We invite you to visit the Petersburg Public Library to view Christopher C. Alexander IV’s artwork during the month of November and to join us for future Friday for the Arts events as well.

Come. Discover the Wonder Within You.

Artist Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 804-943-3915

Exhibit Dates: November 01 – November 29, 2025
Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St., Petersburg, Virginia 23803

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

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

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

May 12, 2025

Honoring the Artistry and Legacy of Samuel & Laura Blackwell at Petersburg Public Library

The Petersburg Public Library is proud to highlight the creative talents of two incredible local artists — Samuel E. Blackwell and Laura J. Blackwell. Their work is now on display in our gallery, and it’s a must-see for art lovers and community supporters alike.

Meet Samuel E. Blackwell

Samuel Blackwell is a Petersburg native, a U.S. Navy veteran, and a Master Artist. He graduated from Petersburg High School and Virginia State University. Now based in Seattle, Washington, his art reflects faith, personal history, and emotional depth.

Key highlights of his work:

Bold, vibrant acrylic paintings
Spiritual and heartfelt themes
Exhibited at national art festivals and veteran competitions
Inspired by life, service, and strong Christian values

Samuel’s work speaks volumes without saying a word. His unique artistic voice invites viewers to reflect, feel, and connect.

Meet Laura J. Blackwell

Laura J. Blackwell also grew up in Petersburg. After a career in software engineering, she returned to her first love — art. In 2011, she studied classical drawing in Florence, Italy. Her experiences there shaped a refined, thoughtful style.

Her art features:

Portraits, landscapes, and figures
Use of multiple media: chalk, pastel, acrylic, oil, and more
Inspired by the works of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Monet, and Frida Kahlo
A passion for color, people, and the beauty of everyday life

Laura’s work invites viewers to slow down and notice the world in new ways.

Why This Exhibit Matters

Having both Samuel and Laura’s artwork on display is a gift to the Petersburg community. Their stories and styles may differ, but both artists are rooted in:

Deep personal experience
Love of learning and growth
Strong connections to Petersburg

This exhibit is more than an art show. It’s a celebration of legacy, talent, and lifelong creativity.

Stop By and See for Yourself

The Blackwell exhibit is open now at the Petersburg Public Library. Don’t miss your chance to view this powerful collection.

Exhibit Dates: May 01- May 30, 2025
Location: Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St. Petersburg, Virginia 23803

Petersburg artists