Visual Art Exchange

VAE is a regular stop for me when I head out on First Friday. There’s free wine and snacks (donations welcomed) and some of the best local art on display, with a lot of student work.
One of the best features of VAE is the Cube, which is a room in the back of the gallery. There’s always something cool in there, whether it’s a sculpture or some kind of interactive experience.
If you’re headed out to the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), make sure to walk a up a block on West Martin and check out VAE.

Great place! I’m rather art-​scene-​inexperienced but have viewed many beautiful and diverse pieces at this gallery on the two occasions I have visited. The Visual Art Exchange’s mission is noteworthy, providing a platform for novice and professional emerging artists. The items on display seem to change quite regularly and I greatly look forward to going back on some First Fridays & SPARKcon.

I really enjoy stopping by the VAE (Visual Art Exchange), although I admit, I usually go by during Raleigh’s First Friday Art Walks. I really enjoy that VAE changes their exhibits, sometimes by extreme measures, with the different artists they bring in. The large space is divided partially by a wall and they also have an area in the back called «The Cube» that always features one exhibit. The artist that ends up in the cube is usually a little more «modern» then those in the larger space. I’ve seen a whole variety of works, everything from puppets to hanging pieces of brush to animated short films, the list goes on. I love that VAE rotates their galleries monthly and is always bringing in a variety of artists. I’ve seen a lot of photography, mixed media and oils, it’s definitely always unique, beautiful and covers a spectrum of work. I truly think that each gallery change provides something for everyone, but even if you aren’t a fan of the work one month, I HIGHLY encourage you to return and give it another try the next month.
The works of art are usually all for sale, plus they’ll sometimes have local pop-​up shops in the gallery. Their website is a wonderful source too for all things happening. Plus, if you go early enough on First Friday, they’ll have wine and sparkling juices, a nice treat to sip on while you enjoy the gallery. VAE also helps put on PBaRt every year, a once a year event that benefits Raleigh’s SparkCON. Unfortunately, if you’re reading this review and it’s current, you JUST missed it (it was last weekend!) But definitely put it on your agenda for next year, it is a AWESOME event! VAE is definitely more of a «traditional» art gallery then DesignBox next door [not that the pieces are always tradition]. If you’re looking for more artistic ideas and gadgets, I encourage you to check out the studio next door!

The featured art is alright sometimes, but not with any regularity. The management of this gallery is not conducive to the selling of art. They have terribly inconvenient, limited hours and the staff is not afraid to tell you to leave when you’re present past them. Sometimes the place closes for long breaks (I tried to buy a piece around Christmas and despite the artist’s best attempts to provide it to me, the staff would not make any exceptions to allow me to retrieve it during the week+ they shut down). I’ve spent hundreds of dollars here, but the staff has always been unkind and unaccommodating. Wish artists I enjoy would chose other places to showcase their work.

Great Looking Gallery! Nice Variety of Artwork to view on our ‘Super Boy on Art Galleries Tour” (almost an Unofficial Unilocal event) The Gas Mask (in a painting) Helped! I enjoyed the paintings on Unfinished Wood Panels!

Had the pleasure of checking out my Dad’s art at Visual Arts Exchange as part of First Friday… Nice crowd there and some cool artist in the location… Definitely worth checking out…

Perhaps the time to stop by here is during SPARKcon when presumably everyone will have their best on display. It kills me to give this place a low rating since anyone who can do what I cannot — create art — deserves all the kudos she or he can get.
VAE was disappointing. The venue itself is perfect, well organized, good lighting, and with the art thoughtfully displayed. With the exception of the oil paintings of birds on wood, with the corresponding feathers in jars below; the crayon bunches spelling vandal; and the clay slab with hammerheads embedded within, there was really very little else that captured attention in such a way to make you feel the emotion of what the artist was attempting to capture. Still, I freely admit what was displayed showed a talent beyond anything I could do, but I cannot give this a higher rating without minimizing the other incredible art available in other galleries in the area.
Timing is everything, and maybe my timing was off. I’ll try again another day and perhaps then be able to change my rating upward.