Years ago, Rick Weaver graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in Economics. Today, he is viewed as a respected sculptor, painter and art teacher at the McGuffey Arts Center in Charlottesville. After being overseas, Weaver realized he wanted to pursue his passions in art. He chose to live in Charlottesville to live near his wife’s family. In ten words, Weaver describes his art as...
Furthermore, he feels his art is more of a traditional style. Many of his figure sculptures are various figures constructed using a clay medium. Weaver also creates portrait sculptures in bronze or plaster.
Like any artist, Weaver faces challenges every day. “Making a living while doing artwork and supporting yourself and your family and not feeling the pressure to sell is always a challenge,” he explains. More so, for traditional figurative artists, it is difficult to fit in to the hip art scene and get into the more modern venues. Though Weaver likes Charlottesville, he admits that he would like art galleries here to be more honest and sincere, and not solely be used as a market selling art to customers. Consequentially, Weaver is excited for the new gallery, The Chroma Projects Art Laboratory, which recently opened on March 19th. This gallery will bring in Richmond and DC art to Charlottesville. Furthermore, it will bring in artists to give talks to other artists, establishing more of a vocal, vibrant art community.
For now, Weaver enjoys taking his son to UVa soccer games or eating lunch at South Street Brewery with his family. He continues to enjoy teaching art classes and further pursuing his sculpting and painting career in Charlottesville. Weaver’s art can be found at his website, website, or through his art classes at his studio at the McGuffey Arts Center. He plans on showing much of his art at The Chroma Projects Art Laboratory in the near future.