Six UVA Sculptors Leave Their Marks in Market

Six University of Virginia sculpture students have earned a professional commission to have their work displayed in Charlottesville.

The students, all enrolled in associate studio art professor William Bennett’s advanced sculpture class, created six pieces for Main Street Market, a large building on West Main Street, home to several restaurants, shops and grocers.

Allen Cadgene, the market’s owner, approached Bennett in the fall, looking for art to provide visual interest in the building’s open, airy hallways.

“He wanted to dress up the space a bit, and I thought it would be a great place to share our students’ projects,” Bennett said.

Bennett’s students presented models, drawings and simulations of their proposed designs to Cadgene, who was enthusiastic about each of the six proposals. With his approval, they worked on their sculptures for the rest of the fall and spring semesters, installing the final products last week. They will remain on display indefinitely.

“It was good for them to get this real-world experience,” Bennett said, noting each student was paid for their work. “It raises the stakes a bit, and also raises the rewards.”

Take a look at the six sculptures below.