Founded in 1973, Second Street Gallery is the oldest nonprofit 501(c)3 contemporary art space in Central Virginia.

We promote contemporary artists through the presentation of their work in a professional gallery and encourage an appreciation of contemporary art by educating the public through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, classes, tours, and publications. Second Street Gallery is committed to offering Charlottesville and the Central Virginia region leading-edge new art in perspective and context, and to fostering an active and open appreciation of this art by directly engaging the issues surrounding works by the best contemporary artists in the field. Our primary mission is to enliven Virginia through access to the best in contemporary art and artists and to inspire new ways of thinking, seeing, and doing. 

Established by a group of ten artists affiliated with the University of Virginia and the local community (Linda Kennard, Eugene Markowski, Paul Martick, Christopher Morris, Timothy Morris, Lindsay Nolting, Priscilla Rappolt, George Roland, Rick Rosenblum, and Emily Wheeler), Second Street Gallery was the first art space in Downtown Charlottesville and a leader in the revitalization of the Historic District. It is now located inside the City Center for Contemporary Arts building designed by Bushman-Dreyfus Architects. Completed in 2003, the CCCA also houses two other non-profit groups, Live Arts (a community theater) and Light House (a youth media organization). SSG presents 10-14 separate exhibitions each year and a full calendar of related educational and outreach activities that complement its exhibition season.