Meet Artist Sam Grantham in Sperryville June 14

A Vibrant Portrait Show Comes to Life in Sperryville This June

If you're planning a weekend in Rappahannock County this June, mark your calendar for Saturday, June 14: artist Sam Grantham will be on hand at The Confluence Gallery inside The Marketplace in Sperryville from 2 to 4 pm to meet visitors and talk about his current solo exhibition, The Spirit Moved Me. Admission is free.

The show — a collection of Grantham's characteristically vibrant personality portraits — has been on view at The Confluence Gallery through the end of June 2026. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, the artist meet is a compelling reason to make the trip out to the Blue Ridge foothills.

About 'The Spirit Moved Me'

Sam Grantham's work centers on portraiture with energy and expressiveness at the forefront. The exhibition title hints at a spiritual quality in his subjects — an intangible force that Grantham appears to capture in color, gesture, and gaze. The Confluence Gallery at The Marketplace provides an intimate setting well-suited to the personal nature of portrait work, and the meet-the-artist format gives visitors a rare opportunity to hear directly from the painter about his process and inspiration.

This in-person event is part of The Collective Canvas, a new monthly series running every Second Saturday from 2–4 pm, June through November 2026. Each installment features a different local or regional artist leading free, interactive workshops and demonstrations at The Confluence Gallery. The June edition spotlights Grantham and his portrait work — subsequent months will bring rotating artists and formats through the fall.

What Is The Collective Canvas?

The Collective Canvas series was designed to make art accessible and participatory for both visitors and the local community. Rather than passive gallery browsing, each session invites guests to engage directly with a working artist — watching demonstrations, asking questions, and in some cases trying techniques firsthand. All sessions are free to attend, with no registration required based on available information.

Frequency: Every Second Saturday, June–November 2026
Time: 2:00–4:00 pm each session
Location: The Confluence Gallery, inside The Marketplace, Sperryville
Cost: Free
Artists: Rotating local and regional artists each month

For visitors coming from the DC metro area, the series offers a reliable anchor for a summer or fall weekend itinerary — you can plan around a Collective Canvas Saturday and build in wine tasting, hiking near Old Rag, or lunch in the River District on either side of it.

Making a Day of It in Sperryville

The Marketplace itself is worth exploring beyond the gallery. Located in Sperryville's River District, the indoor venue houses local restaurants, vendors, and food purveyors. Pair the afternoon art event with a meal or snack at one of the in-house food options before or after the 2 pm session. Sperryville's Main Street and the surrounding River District are walkable and offer additional galleries, pottery studios, and the nearby Copper Fox Distillery for post-show exploration.

Planning Your Visit

Venue: The Marketplace (Confluence Gallery inside)
Address: Sperryville, VA — River District (see website for exact address)
Website: themarketplacesperryville.com
Sam Grantham Meet the Artist: Saturday, June 14, 2026, 2:00–4:00 pm
'The Spirit Moved Me' Exhibition: On view through end of June 2026
Collective Canvas Series: Second Saturdays, June–November 2026, 2–4 pm
Admission: Free

Note: Some event details were sourced from venue social posts and have not been independently verified. Confirm times and dates directly with The Marketplace before making the trip.