Richmond’s art scene welcomes an exciting new addition as Main Projects, a dynamic art space founded by Laura Martin Mills and Eric Thomas-Suwall, opens its doors with two compelling exhibitions: Lovers and Friends. Combining global talent with local connections, Main Projects reimagines how art is experienced and collected, offering a unique blend of original works and collaborative editions.
The inaugural exhibitions will open on February 7th, following a private reception on the 6th, and will be on view through April 4, 2025.
The flagship exhibition, Lovers, co-organized with Elizabeth Dolan Wright, founder of the Common Wealth Public Art Fund, explores the multifaceted nature of love—passion, friendship, self-love, and connection to place and community—through the works of internationally acclaimed and Virginia-connected artists, including Loie Hollowell, Diana al-Hadid, Gina Beavers, LaRissa Rogers, Amanda Baldwin, Tahnee Lonsdale, Chris Oh and Meghann Stephenson, among others. Inspired by Virginia’s iconic slogan, Virginia is for Lovers, the show reflects the transformative power of love and its role in shaping our lives and relationships.
“Having spent my early years in the Richmond art scene, it’s exciting to see a gallery like Main Projects create another space for supporting artists locally, while fostering connections with the broader art world,” said Loie Hollowell, an MFA graduate from VCU whose work is featured in Lovers. "I'm thrilled to be able to show this new work in a place that was so formative for my artistic journey."
Complementing Lovers is Friends, a small works exhibition offering an entry point for collectors while spotlighting innovative new voices, including Nick Hobbs, Scout Zabinski, CARO, among others.
“Richmond is home to incredible institutions like the VMFA, ICA, and VCUarts, which have helped build a vibrant and engaged arts community,” said Eric Thomas-Suwall, a Richmond native and one-half of the renowned collecting duo The Icy Gays. “At Main Projects, we’re excited to contribute to this ecosystem by creating a space that bridges the global art world with Richmond’s local talent, celebrating the city’s dynamic creativity and culture.”
Laura Martin Mills, founder of the online platform Exhibition A, brings her extensive experience in collaborating with top contemporary artists to Main Projects. “We’re creating a space for experimentation and discovery,” said Martin Mills. “Our focus is on exhibitions of original work while also showcasing collaborative edition projects that allow us to work closely with artists on unique, special editions, starting with an exhibition of monoprints by Amy Lincoln in April. While Exhibition A remains a separate venture, its permanent presence in our library space underscores our commitment to welcoming collectors at every echelon of collecting.”
A portion of the proceeds from Lovers will benefit the Common Wealth Public Art Fund (CWPAF), headquartered at Main Projects. CWPAF funds temporary and permanent installations across the Commonwealth of Virginia, bringing the work of emerging and established artists to accessible public spaces.
Future Programming
Main Projects will follow Lovers and Friends with Matter and Form, a group exhibition showcasing artists like Stephanie Temma Hier, Carl D'Alvia, and Corydon Cowansage, as well as an exhibition of monoprints by Amy Lincoln. These projects will continue to integrate original works with special, highly collaborative editions, pushing the boundaries of artistic practice and creating new opportunities for collectors to engage with art.
Participating Artists in Lovers
Loie Hollowell, Diana al-Hadid, Gina Beavers, Meghann Stephenson, LaRissa Rogers, Chris Oh, Tahnee Lonsdale, Sandy Williams IV, Veronika Pausova, Matthew F. Fisher, Liz Nielsen, Sacha Ingber, Amanda Baldwin, Holly Coulis, and Laird Gough. With exclusive editions by Ryan McGinness as well as a collaborative edition between partners Leigh Suggs & Daniel Rickey.
Participating Artists in Friends
Liz Nielsen, Mallory Page, Nick Hobbs, Scout Zabinski, Lauren Clay, CARO, Elise LaFontaine, Hillary Waters Fayle, Giancarlo Venturini, Grace Bromley, and Pia Bakala.
About Main Projects
Main Projects is a vibrant new art space in Richmond, VA, dedicated to fostering artistic discovery and the joy of collecting. By blending original exhibitions with collaborative edition projects, Main Projects creates opportunities for artists to experiment and for collectors at all levels to connect with meaningful works. The gallery amplifies Richmond’s vibrant arts scene while bridging connections to the global art world.
About the Founders
Laura Martin Mills is the founder of Exhibition A, a pioneering online platform that has collaborated with over 250 contemporary artists to produce 400+ limited-edition works since 2010. Known for her innovative approach to curation, fabrication, and e-commerce, Laura has redefined accessibility in the contemporary art market. At Main Projects, she expands this vision, combining exhibitions of original works with collaborative edition projects to engage artists and collectors in dynamic, boundary-pushing ways.
Eric Thomas-Suwall is one-half of the renowned collecting duo, The Icy Gays, alongside his husband, Rob. Known for their dedicated support of emerging queer and female artists, the couple’s landmark collection was the subject of the exhibition FULL DISCLOSURE at the Plains Art Museum, curated by Anne-Laure Lemaitre. This exhibition marked the first public display of their collection, highlighting works that intertwine nature, humanity, and identity in surreal and thought-provoking ways. Eric’s deep appreciation for contemporary art and his background in political philosophy shape his approach to collecting and curation, bringing a fresh, thoughtful perspective to Main Projects. As a Richmond native, Eric is passionate about bridging global art trends with the city’s vibrant local arts community.