Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester

06/24/2026

The Heart of the River Collection is now on view at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester.

Featuring more than 135 original paintings created during the 2026 Gloucester Arts Festival Plein Air Invitational, this remarkable exhibition captures the waterways, landscapes, architecture, and character of Gloucester and Mathews through the eyes of nationally recognized artists.

Whether you're searching for a favorite local scene, discovering a new artist, or looking for a one-of-a-kind piece for your collection, now is the time to visit. All paintings are available for purchase, but only through June 27.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience, and take home, a piece of this final Heart of the River Collection.

📍 Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester
🗓 On view through June 27
🎨 Paintings available for purchase

06/19/2026

Looking for a meaningful piece of Gloucester to take home?

As the Gloucester Arts Festival celebrates its final season, Heart of the River offers one last opportunity to collect an original painting from this beloved tradition. Created by nationally recognized plein air artists during this year's Festival, each work captures the beauty, character, and spirit of our region.

The exhibition remains on view through the It's a Wrap reception on June 27, after which many of these paintings will return to the artists or new collectors' homes.

Whether you're a longtime collector or purchasing your first original artwork, now is the perfect time to find a piece that speaks to you—and take home a lasting piece of the Festival's legacy.

🎨 Visit the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester to view the collection and claim your favorite before it's gone.

Learn more at gloucesterartsfestival.com.

05/26/2026

Your chance to be part of history!

***Weather Update! We will still be filming today but will be inside. Come on down to the court circle to be a part of the reading!***

A Community Film Project Honoring the Arrival of the Declaration of Independence in Gloucester

According to a letter written by Virginia Governor John Page on July 20, 1776, news of the Declaration of Independence had likely reached Gloucester by that time — or shortly thereafter — carrying with it the words that would forever change a nation.

To commemorate this historic moment, Gloucester County is creating “Voices of Independence,” a community film project that brings the Declaration to life through the voices of the people of Gloucester today.

We are seeking community members of all ages to volunteer to read selected passages from the Declaration of Independence on camera in Gloucester’s historic Court Circle.

Location: Historic Court Circle, Gloucester, VA
Filming Dates: May 26 or May 28 1-2PM
No acting experience necessary!

Participants will help honor Gloucester’s connection to this pivotal moment in American history while preserving the enduring power of the Declaration’s words for future generations. Whether you read a single sentence or a full passage, your voice can become part of this meaningful community tribute.

05/19/2026

An evening of live music returns to the Museum 🎻

Join us on May 27 for a special performance by the Courthouse Community Orchestra at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester. Enjoy an evening of beautiful music performed by talented local musicians in an intimate museum setting.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. Concert begins at 7pm.

05/15/2026

“This is us.”

As we prepare to say goodbye to the Kacey Sydnor Carneal exhibition later this month, this small detail from one of Kacey’s paintings feels especially fitting.

Her work has always been about people — community, individuality, belonging, joy, and the beautiful mix of personalities that make up everyday life.

There’s still time to experience the exhibition before it closes at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester.

Come see why so many visitors have connected with Kacey’s world.

On view through May 27th at FAMG.

05/12/2026

Warmer days are returning to Main Street ☀️

This 1993 painting by Kacey Sydnor Carneal captures the kind of scene that feels especially familiar this time of year — people gathering outside, strolling between shops, lingering over coffee, and enjoying downtown Gloucester together.

Kacey had a way of turning everyday local moments into colorful celebrations of community and place.

Do you recognize this stretch of Main Street? 👀🎨

05/08/2026

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating all the ways care and love show up in our lives.

In “The World is Full of Mothers,” Kacey Sydnor Carneal reminds us that motherhood isn’t one single story—it’s everywhere. It’s in the women who raise us, guide us, support us, and show up for us in ways both big and small. Some nurture, some protect, some guide, and some simply show up when it matters most.

Today, we honor the mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and chosen family who shape our world in quiet and powerful ways.

05/05/2026

Start your week with a little inspiration 🖼️

The Cook Collection—featuring Plein Air paintings—is on view now, just in time to get you ready for the Gloucester Arts Festival Invitational this June!

Stop in and say hi!

05/01/2026

Happy May Day 🌼

Ribbons, music, and a field full of life—Kacey Carneal brings it all together in this joyful spring scene.

Find it in the galleries and celebrate the season with us 🌿

04/28/2026

“The man who goes alone can start today…” — Thoreau

In Walden, Thoreau writes about the freedom of acting independently—starting without waiting on anyone else. But he balances that with something more grounded: rescue the drowning and tie your shoe-strings.

Kacey Carneal holds both ideas here.

A single figure stands at the center, while a whole world moves around him—reminding us that life isn’t just about big gestures or bold starts, but also the small, necessary things that keep us going.

Find it in the museum and take a closer look.