Free Art Workshops & New Show at Sperryville's Marketplace
The Confluence Gallery launches a six-month community series this June — and Sam Grantham's vibrant portraits are still on view through the end of the month
Two Reasons to Head to Sperryville's River District This June
If you've been looking for a reason to wander into Sperryville's River District on a Saturday afternoon, The Marketplace is giving you two of them this month. The indoor dining and shopping hub on River Lane is home to The Confluence Gallery, which is currently hosting a solo exhibition from artist Sam Grantham and launching a brand-new free community workshop series that runs all the way through November.
Sam Grantham: 'The Spirit Moved Me' — On View Through June 2026
If you haven't yet seen Sam Grantham's solo exhibition 'The Spirit Moved Me', you still have the rest of June to catch it. The show, currently installed at The Confluence Gallery inside The Marketplace, features Grantham's vibrant, expressive figurative works — bold personality portraits that have been drawing visitors into the gallery space throughout the spring season.
Admission to view the exhibition is free, and the gallery is accessible during The Marketplace's regular operating hours. This is the kind of show that rewards a slow look — plan to linger.
The Collective Canvas: Free Monthly Workshops Launch This June
Beginning in June, The Confluence Gallery is kicking off The Collective Canvas, a new monthly series of free, interactive community art workshops and artist demonstrations. Sessions are held every Second Saturday from 2–4pm, running from June through November 2026.
Each month spotlights a different local or regional artist sharing their technique and inviting participants to get hands-on. The format is designed to be accessible — whether you're a working artist or someone who last held a paintbrush in middle school, these workshops are built for the curious and the community-minded alike.
Upcoming Second Saturday Dates for The Collective Canvas
- June 14, 2026 — 2:00–4:00pm
- July 12, 2026 — 2:00–4:00pm
- August 9, 2026 — 2:00–4:00pm
- September 13, 2026 — 2:00–4:00pm
- October 11, 2026 — 2:00–4:00pm
- November 8, 2026 — 2:00–4:00pm
Specific artists for each session are announced on a rotating basis — check The Marketplace's website or social channels closer to each date for the featured presenter.
Why The River District Is Worth a Saturday Afternoon
The Marketplace sits in Sperryville's River District, a compact cluster of studios, galleries, eateries, and makers housed partly in a restored 1930s apple packing facility. It's a walkable destination — you can pair a gallery visit with lunch or a browse through local vendors without moving your car. For DC-area visitors making the 70-mile drive out Route 211, it's a satisfying anchor for a half-day in the county.
The free admission to both the Grantham exhibition and the upcoming workshops makes The Marketplace an especially easy yes — particularly if you're traveling with curious kids, first-time visitors to the area, or anyone who might hesitate at a ticketed cultural event.
Planning Your Visit
- Venue: The Marketplace Sperryville — The Confluence Gallery
- Address: Sperryville, VA — River District (River Lane)
- Workshop Series: The Collective Canvas — Second Saturdays, 2:00–4:00pm, June–November 2026
- Current Exhibition: Sam Grantham, 'The Spirit Moved Me' — on view through June 2026
- Admission: Free
- Website: themarketplacesperryville.com
Hours vary by vendor and event — check the website or social channels before your visit to confirm gallery access times and workshop details for a specific date.
This article was generated from verified local data and reviewed by AI. Learn how we write these stories
Photo via Unsplash