Ix Art Park
Pronounced “icks”, this destination of wonder and imagination is a 10-minute walk from the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall with a mission to spark creativity and encourage everyone to explore their inner artist. Ran by the Ix Art Park Foundation, the park is more than just a collaborative space for artists. It empowers the community through free art-making, curated
cultural festivals, and arts education programming. They host several community-driven series supporting unserved youth and minority entrepreneurs. The park also serves as a Mobile Visitor Center location from mid-March through December.
Get your creative juices flowing with these top 5 experiences that will be sure to leave you feeling inspired.
Experiences
![](https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d0cf3ed8b645ddd5ddf89b5e832023af 320w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d5c00f476c3f7542f3261d911a5468d3 540w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=87856033a18278ae2756e5efae55a81b 768w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=894543e4af8551b379b25979f98945ed 1024w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=24a7efade2267145457907e59fd619cd 1200w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7edefcb9aa9136ec661dc9b6c4a1bca2 1440w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=bf711af943c160e3480465085c55c411 1920w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Ix-Art-Park-Looking-Glass.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=20aea1ebf865257611aec454057639c6 2338w)
1. The Looking Glass
No visit to Ix Art Park is complete without heading into The Looking Glass. Virginia’s first and permanent immersive art space welcomes visitors to look, listen, and feel their way through a variety of artistic mediums.
The Looking Glass is perfect for families or visitors looking to grab that Instagram-worthy photo with over 6,000 square feet to explore. This ticketed exhibition features artwork throughout the space curated with installations from over 13 local artists. Wander through Kathryn Wingate’s Mad Traveler’s Treehouse, a larger-than-life interactive enchanted forest and a kaleidoscopic cave! Get lost in Bernie McCabe’s solvable, blacklight maze mural or follow the advice of artist, Beatrix Ost, who invites guests to “open the door to your curiosity cabinet.”
![Women doing arts and crafts in the Dripstone Cave](https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8e00c1a660ee47e0e63ba544d12a3349 320w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ae2a80ee72ce316b800403f86744d98b 540w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d3f20513bda79777359e623ad947f695 768w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d277e40ff1f8226b2d9dea81264905db 1024w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=28dce4a0ca23e0e7c5fe6dcb88d7cc9a 1200w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8df339a4440f5e6eced12de17c7234f4 1440w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1369653c34b9dfe695db8273e06b6b26 1920w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8a5945198b6293cecd74fa792d3e37ba 2560w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Arts-from-Underground.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=db7281800546ced701b7452566f22008 3840w)
2. Arts From Underground
Every Thursday, Ix Art Park welcomes the community to Arts From Underground in the Dripstone Cave. Perfect for a date night or a night out with friends, indulge in a free evening of artistic endeavors and hands-on entertainment. Take the stage and belt your heart out during karaoke. Get your hands messy and create a masterpiece of your own. Or just sit back and
savor a craft cocktail and see where your imagination takes you.
![People meander through pop-up tents at the Saturday Farmers' Market](https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Market-atIX_Market-Central_HERDventures-DanielJames-79.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=87eeb2d666f4c71191779be24691449b 320w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Market-atIX_Market-Central_HERDventures-DanielJames-79.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=70a45f0aa97994aee0dd0988528732ca 540w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Market-atIX_Market-Central_HERDventures-DanielJames-79.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=24781869fe41bb1362760594a68027e8 768w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Market-atIX_Market-Central_HERDventures-DanielJames-79.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b444e8c6d89bd79270cd66b31a794eba 1024w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Market-atIX_Market-Central_HERDventures-DanielJames-79.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9d4b47a1675b0079773051711f6aae26 1080w)
3. Farmers Market
Visit the Farmers Market every Saturday- year round (even during winter.) Support local entrepreneurs and shop with over 60 vendors offering seasonal produce, coveted bakery treats, hand-picked flowers, herbal soaps and cosmetics, locally roasted coffee, farm-raised meats and cheeses, locally crafted jewelry, and an eclectic array of artisan crafts. While exploring the vast
selection of vendors, you’ll be able to catch a quick bite ranging from barbecue to tacos and even crab cakes! Find yourself a spot at one of their picnic tables in the Outside Art Room - an area with free art-making for kids and adults. With the backdrop of the mural park, children’s garden, and artist creation, the market is a lively destination every Saturday.
![An outdoor mural of a woman and a mosaic of a tree.](https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Murals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d31c4b2a649b00cb7f787ccca9c14ee1 320w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Murals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=dcf8a54b45ac76372474097bb07268f5 540w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Murals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=81c1ecd88876c21486eac6c2c415b5c3 768w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Murals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a62bea28b3603bab302f7b98a38a7f1f 1024w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Murals.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=90d03cb185764ae8aaf280164b9e85d4 1080w)
4. Murals and Sculptures
With 15,000 square feet of outdoor space, every inch of this community art park is covered in art, murals, mosaics, and sculptures. In 2022 alone, almost 300,000 visitors explored the outdoor piazza’s visually captivating space and watched it come to life more fully during many community events held throughout the year. It is the perfect place to sit and eat while
enjoying the weather and the beautiful sights.
![Children gather in front of the outdoor stage during Clubfest.](https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Special-Events.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7e5af952da3e0ad5a3d081e30d8307ea 320w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Special-Events.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=065f1e23b87d10b50b30268ac9249f06 540w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Special-Events.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=614f1434e99679d95bd5d67d7ed5b272 768w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Special-Events.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=387afc2293921407ccfb425c759508fc 1024w, https://visit-charlottesville.imgix.net/images/Special-Events.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=19add67694875fb85c670e4b640a3b99 1128w)
5. Special Events
However you choose to explore, there is always something going on at Ix Art Park. The park is host to a wide array of large and small events throughout the year spanning many genres including music, dance, film, theater, crafts, and visual art, as well as family-friendly events, events promoting diversity and inclusion, and one-of-a-kind immersive experiences like costumed themed nights and dance parties. During the warmer months, you’ll find free outdoor activities like opera and movies in the park.
Other events include their signature festivals The Charlottesville Arts Festival — a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community featuring dozens of local musicians, performers, and artists of all talents; Fae Festival - a cityscape renaissance fair; and Soul of Cville — a celebration of Black excellence showcasing culture, music, dance, fashion, food, and more.
Illuminate your mind and awaken your inner artist with a visit to Ix Art Park today. For more information visit www.ixartpark.org.
*This blog post is sponsored by Ix Art Park.
522 Second Street SE
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
(434) 207-2964
Website
Ix Art Park522 Second Street SE
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902