HJ297 • 2026

Commending the McGuffey Art Center.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Callsen
Last action: 2026-04-13
Official status: Passed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide detailed information on the impact of the McGuffey Art Center's programs beyond acknowledging its contributions.

Commending the McGuffey Art Center

This bill commends the McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

What This Bill Does

Says that the General Assembly wants to commend the McGuffey Art Center.
Notes that the McGuffey Art Center is one of the oldest artist-run cooperative art centers in the nation and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.
Highlights how the center has been a place for artists to grow and express themselves since 1975.
Recognizes the support from the McGuffey Association, which includes many members who help run the center.

Who It Names or Affects

The McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, Virginia
Local artists and community members who benefit from the center's programs

Terms To Know

McGuffey Readers: Books used to teach reading that were written by William Holmes McGuffey.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill does not give any money or make new laws, it only expresses praise.
The effects of this bill are mainly symbolic and do not change how the center operates.

Bill History

2026-04-13 House
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ297ER)
2026-03-12 Senate
Agreed to by Senate by voice vote
2026-03-12 Senate
Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-10 Senate
Received
2026-03-10 Senate
Laid on Clerk's Desk
2026-03-10 Senate
Received
2026-03-10 Senate
Laid on Clerk's Desk
2026-03-10 House
Engrossed by House
2026-03-10 House
Agreed to by House by voice vote
2026-03-09 House
Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26109280D

Official Summary Text

Commending the McGuffey Art Center.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Commending the McGuffey Art Center.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, the McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, one of the oldest artist-run cooperative art centers in the nation, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025; and
WHEREAS, the McGuffey Art Center opened on October 11, 1975, and quickly became a vibrant art space with an environment that was conducive to artistic growth and expression; and
WHEREAS, the McGuffey Art Center was established in the historic McGuffey School, which was named after William Holmes McGuffey, a University of Virginia professor who wrote several of the
McGuffey Readers
, the first reading primers widely used by students in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the McGuffey Art Center is supported by the McGuffey Association, which currently includes 50 resident artist members, 100 associate artist members, and six incubator artists; and
WHEREAS, the McGuffey Art Center provides affordable studio space to enable its artists to thrive without the pressure and constraints posed by commercial concerns and cultivates a creative community in which artists feel empowered to fully express their visions; and
WHEREAS, the McGuffey Art Center's artists support the broader Charlottesville community through a number of endeavors, including classes, workshops, exhibitions, and other outreach activities and events; and
WHEREAS, as a pillar of the Charlottesville arts scene for the past 50 years, the McGuffey Art Center has made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the McGuffey Art Center on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the McGuffey Art Center as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its contributions to Charlottesville and the Commonwealth.