Henrico artist inspiring others with her work and journey

For Henrico artist Shaina Cilimberg, creating art is a form of expression and a way to connect with the community. Both have been particularly important for her as a person living with autism, ADHD, OCD and physical disabilities.

Cilimberg's latest work – RVA Scenes – will be on display at anne's Visual Art Studio Gallery in Richmond through October, and the gallery will host a reception and meet-and-greet with her at the studio from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the First Fridays art walk Sept. 5.

The collection highlights the city of Richmond and Cilimberg's journey as an artist living with disabilities.

“I want to tell the public, you know, hey, those of us with disabilities like to do the same things other young people like to do,” Cilimberg said. "I want to show that we want to have our lives too, we like to go to pretty places like Brown’s Island and Forest Hill Park.”

During the last eight years, Cilimberg has worked closely with gallery owner Anne Hart Chay to refine her craft and cultivate a collection of pieces inspired by local landmarks, including coffee shops, Joe’s Inn, Broad Street and the city skyline. Cilimberg hopes that being featured in the gallery will help propel her career as an artist.

“I create art because it’s just a way to connect with people and places I find aesthetically pleasing, places I've been to or where I'd like to go, or people I know, or people I would like to know,” Cilimberg said.

In addition to her art, Cilimberg is a passionate disability advocate. She also has shared how financially difficult it can be as a young person with disabilities, unable to work a traditional job. 

“Right now I have to choose between getting contacts or art supplies,” Cilimberg said. She hopes that this exhibition will lead to art sales that help support her ongoing work.

Through their art lessons, Chay and Cilimberg have grown to be friends.

Chay uses her gallery as a space to provide exposure for artists who would be otherwise unable to show their work. As a VCU graduate, Chay has spent years working with the local community to enable more accessibility in art. Her gallery is designed to be warm and welcoming, drawing in visitors from all walks of life. Because of this, she seeks to include a diverse range of artists in her collection.

“In my annual Art To Go show, I have never charged a fee for artists to submit, I’ve never turned an artist away,” said Chay. “When I would go to pay them, I would find out that they were living in their car, or that they were indeed homeless. I literally found one of my people living under a bridge.”

Friday’s reception will feature live music, refreshments and displays from other local artists. The gallery invites all those interested to attend and explore the work of Richmond's art community.

RVA Scenes by Shaina Cilimberg will be on display at anne's Visual Art Studio Gallery, 208 West Broad Street in Richmond, Sept. 5-Oct. 31. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays (and during First Friday events until 9 p.m.), and by appointment and during pop-up events. For details or to schedule an appointment, call Anne Hart Chay at (804) 644-1368.