The Gallery
at Make Creative Studio
Nestled inside St. Giles Church at 5200 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA, our beautiful and spacious gallery showcases the heart of creativity in our community. We feature collections from local artists, partner exhibits, student showcases, and interactive art installations. Open Monday–Thursday (8:30 AM–4:30 PM) and Fridays (8:30 AM–12 PM), the gallery is also accessible during art classes, recovery programs, and events.
Opening Gallery Reception
Lauren Bleam, featured artist
Joanne Martin, guest artist
Please join us for an evening of art, conversation, and light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
Thursday, Aug 7, 2025
6–7:30 PM
5200 Grove Ave
About Lauren Bleam
Lauren Bleam is an artist, writer and creative educator living in Richmond, Va. Her work focuses on family history, trauma, healing and transformation through a lens of faith. She shows stages of the grieving and healing process through her work, incorporating mixed media to show the layers of emotion. In addition, she uses found materials to show the redemption of discarded items (“lost causes”) and to evoke a feeling of child-like wonder.
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With guest artist,
Joanne Martin
Joanne Martin is a pastor, clinical social worker and the founder of Brendan House, a house of spiritual renewal for makers & artists devoted to joyful, utter abandonment to Jesus Christ through prayerful use of making and the arts. After many years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she relocated to Virginia last summer and currently lives at Benediction Farm in Madison County. Through many different types of projects, she seeks to be a deployable creative resource for the kingdom of God in the areas of healing and discipleship.
Don’t miss our annual Stewarding Beauty Benefit, held each winter, featuring a silent art auction that supports art therapy and recovery initiatives. See the magic in action!