T
ori Cherry’s work with New City Arts started long before she was hired as its Welcome Gallery Manager. The 2021-2022 Aunspaugh Fellow at UVA worked at a co-instructor for Summer Studio @ The Fralin, which culminated in a week-long show at New City. In November of 2021, she exhibited her own work, a collection of still life and figurative paintings entitled “In Good Time.”
“‘In Good Time’ refers not to any anticipated moment or ending but instead to an implied attitude of patience,” Cherry said in her artist statement. “Patience is what enables me to see value in unlikely subjects.”
As Welcome Gallery Manager, Cherry will lead programs, exhibitions, and events. We challenged her to a quickfire interview to get to know her better.
First art memory:
I grew up going to my grandparents’ church, which meant getting to church early and staying for almost the entire day. I’d say my earliest memory would be sitting in church pews drawing on the back of the service pamphlets. Being an only child, I had to find ways to keep myself entertained. My mom always encouraged me to carry around a little notebook and pen in the spirit of productivity (which I still do today), so drawing was what I did to keep myself busy. I’m sure she didn’t mean for my productivity to look like constant doodling, but she saw I was invested in it and encouraged me regardless.
Favorite artist:
Really tough question, and I have to pick two because they’re both tied for my top spot: Jennifer Packer and Nicolás Uribe.
What are you watching?
I’m currently rewatching a favorite show of mine called “Sense8.”
What are you currently reading?
Transit by Rachel Cusk.
What’s the top song on your Spotify playlist?
“Talk Down” by Dijon.
If past lives are real, what was yours?
I think in my past life I was an ornithologist.
First career you dreamed of having as a kid:
I had a really long phase where I was totally convinced I’d be an astronaut. I’m still super interested in space and weather, but I’m not nearly as invested as I was as a kid. I think once I heard about how physically taxing it is for your body to be in space, I was a bit turned off.
Favorite thing about Charlottesville’s art scene:
The community support! I’m so amazed by how much talent there is just within Charlottesville, and how supportive local artists and art-lovers are to each other. People go out of their way to attend each others’ art events, buy local art, and are just so encouraging. I always feel really motivated and supported whenever I get a chance to engage with the arts community here.
