Art of Virginia’s “Borrowed Space Gallery” will feature Pat Thorne and her new work in clay. The opening reception will be on Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 p.m., at 1 Mill Street, Second Level, near Charlie’s Waterfront Cafe.

The community is invited to enjoy refreshments, music by Marcus Pendergrass and to view the new work of the artists in the cooperative. The gallery will be open on the weekend of the reception, Saturday, May 3, 11 to 5 p.m., and every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Ms. Thorne has entitled her exhibition “Messengers,” an exploration in three-dimensions using clay. After years of drawing portraits in pencil, she is investigating how to break through the two-dimensional plane and capture images in three-dimensions. The subject of the work is based on inspirational quotes and the “Messengers” delivering them. Her exhibit includes other mixed-media pieces in clay and handmade paper.

When not in the studio, Ms. Thorne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice at Devlin & Thorne Counseling Center in Farmville. In her work as a psychotherapist, she helps individuals struggling with anxiety and depression as well as those working through difficult life transitions such as the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss and chronic illness. Ms. Thorne holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from St John’s University in New York, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Long Island University at CW Post and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Georgia. Her “formal” art training has been through many wonderful art teachers and artist mentors who have encouraged her to pursue her own creative passion.

Art of Virginia has been enlivening Farmville’s vacant buildings with artwork, receptions and art classes since 2012. But once the space is rented or sold, the artists move on quickly to another location. The “Old Mill Building,” their third borrowed space, has increased exposure to the community through the effort of AVA, furthering Farmville’s reputation as a creative center in the area.

Art of Virginia promotes and supports the visual arts in the community and offers affordable gallery, studio and teaching space for its members. Artists are encouraged to join the cooperative. On Thursdays at noon, Ursula Burgess, AVA president, offers a “Walk-in Watercolor Workshop.” For more information about the class or AVA, call her at 434-645-1933.