Downtown Smithfield
Dec 12, 2021
Starts at 05:30 pm
Smithfield may be best known worldwide for its famous ham curing process, but it is fast becoming known for its arts and culture as well. With a convenient location in Coastal Virginia (between Virginia Beach and Williamsburg) this small town offers outstanding theater, art galleries, concerts and special events in unique, intimate venues.
Galleries
The Arts Center @ 319 shares its space with the Smithfield Visitor Center and features a gallery, gift shop and the opportunity to chat with resident artists.
Imagine Art Gallery is located in a 1880's home and features 2,200 square feet of original art, prints and bronzes as well as custom framing in-house.
Mansion House Art and Antiques offers antique art and accessories, from Victorian to vintage. Shop hand-picked originals including oil paintings (most from around the 1880's to 1920's), estate jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, sterling silver flatware, cut glass and crystal plus collectible figurines.
When Pigs Fly…Magic Happens is an “artful market, gift shop and studio” featuring the artwork of Nansi Strickland and other local artists.
Color Scapes Fine Arts Gallery features the paintings, sculpture and creative clay objects of local artist, Ann Hubbard.
Built by Charles F. Nelms, a local contractor, for his family around 1899, the Nelms House is a beautifully restored Victorian beauty featuring native landscaping, period furniture, and oral histories. The Nelms House offers classes and exhibits – often on eco-friendly art.
Art Classes
Make Something on Main offers artists and aspiring artists the opportunity to paint their own pottery, canvas, wood etc. – a great idea for birthday parties and team building activities.
The lovely boutique Victoria’s Rose offers Dixie Belle Mineral Chalk Paint Classes monthly.
The Arts Center @ 319 and the Nelms House also offer classes on varying topics, for all ages and experience level.
Sundays at Four is a chamber concert series featuring professionals and accomplished student musicians, in intimate venues in Smithfield's Historic District.
Smithfield Music presents top tier entertainment in partnership with the Smithfield Little Theatre and uses the proceeds from the concerts to promote music education in Isle of Wight County.
Friday Night Summer Concerts Series are held every Friday Night, May through the end of August at the Smithfield Times Gazebo on Main Street.
Theater
Smithfield Little Theatre is an all-volunteer theater troupe that has been "hamming it up for over 75 years!" Three professional-level shows are produced annually along with other special events such as a Holiday performance in December, a children's theater workshop in the summer and more.
Grab the mic at Open Mic Night at Christ Episcopal Church to participate or just sit back and enjoy the entertainment in this "coffee house" atmosphere. Enjoy music, poetry readings, singing, etc. and everyone is welcome.
Public Art
Smithfield’s LOVEwork is located at the Visitor Center. Its designer, Meagan Pugh was inspired by the town’s pork industry and envisioned friends and family taking photos while they “take a big bite” out of a slice of bacon.
Smithfield’s Porcine Parade features eight life-size statues of market hogs, painted by local artists to reflect an aspect of the town’s rich history, culture & recreation placed throughout town. A map showing the location of each is available at the Visitor Center.
Life-size bronze statues by the artist George Lundeen, depicting such figures as Benjamin Franklin, Robert Frost and the “Valentine Couple” are placed throughout town. A map showing the location of each is available at the Visitor Center.
Don't miss the wonderful mural on the side of the building facing Taste of Smithfield. Painted by artist Michael Brown, it depicts pigs gleaning in harvested peanut fields.
The mural installed in Smithfield's Post Office in 1941 was created by artist William Abbott Cheever, and depicts Captain John Smith and his men trading with the Warraskoyack Tribe in Burwell's Bay on the James River in September of 1607.
Special Events
Celebrate visual, performing and culinary arts at the Smithfield Arts Festival held along Main Street in downtown Smithfield in May. Featuring a juried art show, other planned activities for the weekend include artists demonstrations, dinner theatre at the Smithfield Inn, Smithfield Little Theatre's spring show, live music and dance, a fashion show and more.
The town’s 3rd Annual Boardwalk HeArt show will be held riverside along the boardwalk at the Smithfield Station Shops. The juried show will feature artists using a variety of mediums.
Pack your pencil, charcoals or crayons for a visit to the Isle of Wight Museum’s for their annual Drawing Day. Held in March, visitors are invited to sketch something on display and share their creations with the museum on social media. Free admission for all artistes – professional, aspiring or beginners.
Live music is featured at the seasonal Smithfield Farmers Market and at various restaurants throughout the year.