It seems appropriate that in the Heart of Virginia, an evening of bidding for local artwork, dressing in tuxedos and fancy gowns, enjoying elaborate finger foods and drinks and dancing to energetic music would be for a good cause.

Members of the community who took part in the annual Longwood Center for the Visual Arts gala worked to raise support for the LCVA.

Even before bidding begins on the 68 pieces of area artwork, the LCVA raised $150,000.

The gallery on North Main Street serves 14 counties and is open seven days a week, LCVA Communications Director Lisa Tharpe explained.

Having exposure to artwork in the community, learning about new ideas and different ways of viewing the world, is imperative to not only building the Heart of Virginia, but uniting it.

An excellent example of how the gallery builds opportunities in the community is the recent installment of the 17th Annual Area Youth Art Exhibition, which held its opening reception Sunday at the LCVA and will be on display until April 8.

The LCVA website cites that artwork from 2,000 Pre-K to Grade 12 students from 44 public, private, and home schools in 12 counties will be on display with thanks to the efforts of approximately 50 art teachers. Counties participating include Albemarle, Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Goochland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Powhatan, and Prince Edward.

Other exhibits at the LCVA have included the works of V.L. Cox and Dr. Alec Hosterman in opening a difficult but necessary conversation on racism in the United States, displaying artwork from those in the region with developmental disabilities through Camp Unity and various workshops on Valentine’s Day, Halloween and the holiday season.

I commend community supporters of the annual gala. I also commend the LCVA for providing an accessible way to view art and expand our horizons.

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH is a staff writer for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@ FarmvilleHerald.com.