This is an amazingly creative space, and the owner Denise has really curated a fabulous gallery area as well. Warm and welcoming, it's the epitome of what Old Town should be. I think I could live here :).
~(Chelsea T.)
This page hasn't been edited in quite awhile, as the studio functions have changed some over time. We've decided to leave it up to continue to highlight previous artists and the work that was done.
November 2018: Young & Old art show; Jane star & michaele shriver.
may 2018: Youth Open Mic, appomattox iron works gazebo.
April 2018: Kourtney Grant, children's book author. Hopewell Virginia's 4th graders art show.
March 2018: Krista Lapp, artist; Steve Vaughan, poet.
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February 2018: Lisa Mistry, "Patterns"; Music by Sidecar Experience. Make & Take Valentine Cards.
January 2018: Michelle Colo Burdiss, Photographer; Music by Ryan Atchison, Jr.
December 2017: Michelle C. Burdiss, Artist;
Chris Bernstof, Spoken Word Artist;
& Music by 3 bands! Weathered, Paperback & Downhaul!
November 2017: Christopher Alexander and music by Ryan Atchison, Jr.
Christopher C. Alexander, IV, is a Petersburg native, that has dabbled in all kinds of creative outlets, all his life!
After participating in art programs in Petersburg City schools, Mr. Alexander became a stuntman, until he was injured. He went to VSU and studied drawing and painting in 1972. Then he furthered his education at John Tyler Community College in 1982.
Mr. Alexander works primarily in the mediums of acrylics and oils. He prefers to portray realistic scenes, from photographs or plein air painting. He has many hardscapes & landscapes in most of his shows with a style similar to naïve painting. He has strong contemporary folk art technique. His art has an innocence and a child-like perspective. It is a refreshing style that lets us see a uniquely literal illustration of local scenes from his life. The viewer can empathize with Mr. Alexander through his depictions, as if we are standing right there with him on the street corner.
Mr. Alexander is an aspiring screenwriter and has a penchant for acting. He has been an extra in various shows and movies. But his passion for creating art runs deep and has been mainstay throughout his life.
Look for more of his work at a studio located in The Ward Center, Petersburg, VA.
After participating in art programs in Petersburg City schools, Mr. Alexander became a stuntman, until he was injured. He went to VSU and studied drawing and painting in 1972. Then he furthered his education at John Tyler Community College in 1982.
Mr. Alexander works primarily in the mediums of acrylics and oils. He prefers to portray realistic scenes, from photographs or plein air painting. He has many hardscapes & landscapes in most of his shows with a style similar to naïve painting. He has strong contemporary folk art technique. His art has an innocence and a child-like perspective. It is a refreshing style that lets us see a uniquely literal illustration of local scenes from his life. The viewer can empathize with Mr. Alexander through his depictions, as if we are standing right there with him on the street corner.
Mr. Alexander is an aspiring screenwriter and has a penchant for acting. He has been an extra in various shows and movies. But his passion for creating art runs deep and has been mainstay throughout his life.
Look for more of his work at a studio located in The Ward Center, Petersburg, VA.
October 2017: Marissa Merhout and Sidecar Experience
One Night Only: Daniel Howard Skateboard Sculpture
Join us for this exciting show featuring the work of Arizona resident, Daniel Howard, as he travels for 3 weeks, stopping here in Petersburg for one night only! This truly is a one-of-a-kind show that OT Studio 7 is privileged to host.
"I've had the pleasure of watching Danial's art progress over the past 5 years. He always had a unique style to his craft.
One day he showed up with a piece he made cut out of a skateboard. At the time there were very few people utilizing skateboards as canvas. Though the design was relatively simple, I was blown away with how he made it all work.
He's come a long way with what started out as an 'experiment'. The intricate work in his cuts and the details through paint cant be beat. Now his work takes multiple layers and can create just about anything you could imagine.
One thing that really stands out is his ability to re-create novelty skateboard graphics. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
-Tim"
"I've had the pleasure of watching Danial's art progress over the past 5 years. He always had a unique style to his craft.
One day he showed up with a piece he made cut out of a skateboard. At the time there were very few people utilizing skateboards as canvas. Though the design was relatively simple, I was blown away with how he made it all work.
He's come a long way with what started out as an 'experiment'. The intricate work in his cuts and the details through paint cant be beat. Now his work takes multiple layers and can create just about anything you could imagine.
One thing that really stands out is his ability to re-create novelty skateboard graphics. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
-Tim"
August 2017: Abigail Richey and Hatcher's Run
Studio 7 Gallery will feature the work from Abigail Richey! Abigail has been the summer intern and will be showcasing her portraits and work!
Abigail is a local resident and student at SCAD: Savannah College of Art & Design. She is on the swim team there, and is studying animation. She also coaches the local swim team at SYC.
Denise points out she's been invaluable in helping focus attention to arts and crafts for our younger students.
This month, #OTS7 is fortunate to have the music of the local talents, Hatcher's Run! This band does some originals and covers songs with some spin, using a dobro and banjo, among others. They also happen to have brought in a new bass player, Todd Tipton. Please come hear them as they are unique in their style and not what you usually find in this local Petersburg/Richmond area.
(Denise also wants to point out that she's proud to say, it's her husband♥ )
Abigail is a local resident and student at SCAD: Savannah College of Art & Design. She is on the swim team there, and is studying animation. She also coaches the local swim team at SYC.
Denise points out she's been invaluable in helping focus attention to arts and crafts for our younger students.
This month, #OTS7 is fortunate to have the music of the local talents, Hatcher's Run! This band does some originals and covers songs with some spin, using a dobro and banjo, among others. They also happen to have brought in a new bass player, Todd Tipton. Please come hear them as they are unique in their style and not what you usually find in this local Petersburg/Richmond area.
(Denise also wants to point out that she's proud to say, it's her husband♥ )
July 2017: Denise Tipton and Way Down South

It was our 1 Year & 1 Week Anniversary! We celebrated Friday For the Arts! with art by Denise and music by Way Down South!
June 2017: Aidan Karys and Jonah Knight. |
Studio 7 Gallery featured the work from child artist, Aidan Karys & Music by student Jonah Knight, acoustic, for the Friday for the Arts! June 9, 2017 show.
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Aidan Fotios Karys is 8 years old and in second grade at J.B. Watkins Elementary School in Midlothian, Virginia. At the age of 3, Aidan began to show true giftedness as an artist, drawing hundreds of pictures each week. At age 3, Aidan came downstairs and presented his drawing of Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat. It was amazing—not scribbled like a typical 3-year-old drawing would, but instead drawn. At that young age and without any training, Aidan began to draw proportioned and detailed animals, faces, people, and superheroes. Over the past five years, he has experimented with many different techniques and several mediums such as acrylics, pastels, and watercolor. Currently, pencil and ink tend to be his preferred mediums. He especially loves to draw cartoons and caricatures. Both his art teacher, Mrs. Matthews, and the internet are great sources of information and inspiration for Aidan, and he enjoys learning about and experimenting with other artists’ styles. However, he is mostly a self-taught artist and enjoys the freedom that brings. Besides art, Aidan enjoys writing stories and comics, playing Minecraft, watching YouTube, riding his bike, going to the movies, and traveling. Aidan lives in Midlothian, Virginia, with his mom, dad, brother, and sister.
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Jonah Knight, age 14, a local home schooled student, has always been a singer. Three years ago he picked up a guitar to see if he could play it and a God given talent was found. He's been singing and playing ever since. Jonah currently sings and plays special music at church as well as performing for family and friends when they ask. His musical tastes lean towards older music so it's not unusual to hear him singing old Gospel hymns or songs by Marty Robbins, John Denver or Johnny Cash. Jonah plans to continue singing music and playing his guitar, and hopes to one day become a professional fisherman.
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Aidan Fotios Karys is 8 years old and in second grade at J.B. Watkins Elementary School in Midlothian, Virginia. At the age of 3, Aidan began to show true giftedness as an artist, drawing hundreds of pictures each week. At age 3, Aidan came downstairs and presented his drawing of Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat. It was amazing—not scribbled like a typical 3-year-old drawing would, but instead drawn. At that young age and without any training, Aidan began to draw proportioned and detailed animals, faces, people, and superheroes. Over the past five years, he has experimented with many different techniques and several mediums such as acrylics, pastels, and watercolor. Currently, pencil and ink tend to be his preferred mediums. He especially loves to draw cartoons and caricatures. Both his art teacher, Mrs. Matthews, and the internet are great sources of information and inspiration for Aidan, and he enjoys learning about and experimenting with other artists’ styles. However, he is mostly a self-taught artist and enjoys the freedom that brings. Besides art, Aidan enjoys writing stories and comics, playing Minecraft, watching YouTube, riding his bike, going to the movies, and traveling. Aidan lives in Midlothian, Virginia, with his mom, dad, brother, and sister.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jonah Knight, age 14, a local home schooled student, has always been a singer. Three years ago he picked up a guitar to see if he could play it and a God given talent was found. He's been singing and playing ever since. Jonah currently sings and plays special music at church as well as performing for family and friends when they ask. His musical tastes lean towards older music so it's not unusual to hear him singing old Gospel hymns or songs by Marty Robbins, John Denver or Johnny Cash. Jonah plans to continue singing music and playing his guitar, and hopes to one day become a professional fisherman.
May 2017: Friday for the Arts! at #OTS7 |
Featured Artist:
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Music by band
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Shop for
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April 2017 Call for Entries:
Birds of a Feather, Flock Together.
We had a fabulous Friday night! Full of good art, good music, and lots of visitors!
People came in for the "Fold your own Origami" birds.
Band of Brothers RVA came in to play and sounded wonderful! Then 2 of their friends from Way Down South also stepped in and jammed also. Todd Tipton, from Campbell's Bridge, was also able to swing by after Good Friday church, and do a couple of songs.
Art Prizes Given, from the entry fees:
1st Place: Kelly Ruhf, Frost, acrylic.
2nd Place: Tony Knight, And Still I Rise, paper.
Judges Choice: Larry Tipton, The Great Egret, photo. and R. Delano, Bird Seed, marble.
will post photos soon.
People came in for the "Fold your own Origami" birds.
Band of Brothers RVA came in to play and sounded wonderful! Then 2 of their friends from Way Down South also stepped in and jammed also. Todd Tipton, from Campbell's Bridge, was also able to swing by after Good Friday church, and do a couple of songs.
Art Prizes Given, from the entry fees:
1st Place: Kelly Ruhf, Frost, acrylic.
2nd Place: Tony Knight, And Still I Rise, paper.
Judges Choice: Larry Tipton, The Great Egret, photo. and R. Delano, Bird Seed, marble.
will post photos soon.
March 2017: Kelly Ruhf & Elizabeth Thacker
Friday for the Arts! Gallery Art Opening March 2017
Kelly B. Ruhf & Elizabeth Thacker
Kelly was born and raised in Prince George/Disputanta, VA. He attended East Carolina University for Architectural Design, with a Business minor but currently is a Financial Advisor in the West End of Richmond, but maintains a strong clientele base in the Tri-Cities area and resides in Old Town Petersburg. Art has always been a past time, hobby, and a release for him. Kelly’s preferable medium is acrylics in recent years, but his forte’ is in graphite and charcoal landscapes.
Elizabeth Thacker is a local artist in Old Towne Petersburg originally from Disputanta VA. Her concentration of artwork is in acrylic paintings. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Printmaking from VCU in 2001. In 2002 she began her career at Appomattox Tile Art making mosaic tile and worked her way up to Operations Manager now guiding and developing the company’s mosaic artists.
Kelly B. Ruhf & Elizabeth Thacker
Kelly was born and raised in Prince George/Disputanta, VA. He attended East Carolina University for Architectural Design, with a Business minor but currently is a Financial Advisor in the West End of Richmond, but maintains a strong clientele base in the Tri-Cities area and resides in Old Town Petersburg. Art has always been a past time, hobby, and a release for him. Kelly’s preferable medium is acrylics in recent years, but his forte’ is in graphite and charcoal landscapes.
Elizabeth Thacker is a local artist in Old Towne Petersburg originally from Disputanta VA. Her concentration of artwork is in acrylic paintings. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Printmaking from VCU in 2001. In 2002 she began her career at Appomattox Tile Art making mosaic tile and worked her way up to Operations Manager now guiding and developing the company’s mosaic artists.