terriloui

Happy to reflect upon participating in three of the annual fundraising Teeny Tiny Trifecta shows at Second Street Gallery in Charlottesville, VA.

What makes a Teeny Tiny Trifecta?
One part alliteration, one part one artist, one part (well, three parts) small art. And weeks of behind the scenes machinations and mystery by staff.

Smaller works, some quite diminutive in early years, and three in number, from each participating artist. Started eight years ago, w/ 70+ artists, all works 10″ or smaller, filling two walls in the smaller Dove gallery within Second Street.

2025, the 8th year, largest gathering yet, with all works uniformly 8″ square or round, filling three full walls in main gallery, w/ over 600 works. Amazing to behold, kudos to Executive Director and Curator Kristen Chiacchia and staff.

My first visit to the Second Street Gallery was decades ago. It held space within the McGuffey Art Center, main floor with tall, lofty old windows. Literally old school, as the McGuffey building transitioned from being an elementary school in 1975. Leah Stoddard was the first curator, director I remember meeting. She was key in celebrating Second Street’s 30 year anniversary and the transition to a new, larger space in a brand new building nearby on Water Street.

My first time with art on Second Street walls? I actually can’t remember all the specifics. Save for two photos, showing me, and my Cerulean Book Quilt on the walls of the Dove Gallery, some group show (silent auction?) in 2008. Grateful for the digital archive, when memory fails.

Grateful to these women, moments before the gallery filled up, they unknowingly gifted me a glimpse of their quiet moment, stooping to read, see, view my three TTT8 works. By the time the show concluded, there were a trio of red dots shadowing my works. Fundraiser funds were raised. Teeny tiny fun was had.