The Ward Center for Contemporary Art

The Ward Center for Contemporary Art occupies a converted 1889 building in downtown Petersburg, Virginia — originally the Rucker Rosenstock department store, later Butterworth's Furniture, and reimagined through a 2014 renovation into a contemporary art gallery, event venue, and artist studios and lofts. The building sits in Petersburg's historic downtown district, about 25 minutes from Richmond. The venue's main gallery combines restored wood floors, 19-foot ceilings, two grand staircases, and a VIP loft mezzanine with rotating exhibitions of contemporary art on its walls, giving weddings, receptions, meetings, and classes a gallery backdrop rather than a standard banquet room. The space accommodates up to 500 guests standing, with tables and chairs provided for 250 seated guests. Renters have use of the space for a full day, along with kitchen facilities for an outside caterer of their choosing, a private dressing room, and wireless internet, and the venue is handicap accessible.