Petersburg Regional Art Center

About

The Shockoe Bottom Art Center has been in existence since 1994 in the old American Tobacco Company in Richmond, VA. We are now the Petersburg Regional Art Center in Petersburg, VA in the old Rucker Rosenstock/Butterworth's Bldg. at 132 N Sycamore St.

Story

Petersburg Regional Art Center (PRAC) is located in Old Towne Petersburg in the former Rucker Rosenstock/Butterworth building, constructed in 1848. It boasts 5 floors of sensational, contemporary art; over 100 artists’ studios; and 2 large gallery spaces. The galleries showcase a wide range of solo and juried exhibitions throughout the year that award up to $600 in prizes. PRAC fosters a thriving community of artists by offering affordable studio space for regional artists working in all types of media.

The Shockoe Bottom Arts Center (now Petersburg Regional Art Center) opened in September of 1994 in the Old Tobacco Company in Richmond, VA. The Center’s primary goal was to provide exposure and exhibition opportunities for local Richmond artists. The art center started with approximately 50 studios and a large performance space. In 1996 the center expanded to the second floor adding 65 additional studios and a new exhibition space, called the Tobacco Gallery. Once the lease ended in 2003, The Shockoe Bottom Arts Center closed and reopened just one month later with a new name—the Petersburg Regional Art Center. During 18 years of operation, PRAC never missed a monthly exhibition or reception.