History
1932— Miss Anna Mercer Dunlop, considered the Dean of Petersburg Artists, founds the Petersburg Area Art League, creating a legacy of art in downtown.
1959— PAAL begins the Poplar Lawn Arts Festival, an annual tradition drawing people from around the region until the late 1990s.
1971— PAAL moves into building at 7 E. Old St.
1983— Nan Seward Jones donates building to PAAL.
1993— Old Towne Petersburg is hit by a huge tornado, which tears the roof off the building and completely destroys the gallery space.
1998— After existing in temporary quarters, PAAL returns to the front of the original building, although the gallery is not restored.
2008
— The Cameron Foundation awards PAAL a $1.5m challenge grant, of which $750,000 is directly awarded and $750,000 is set as a challenge for Virginia State University to raise matching funds; funds are to be used toward renovation of the gallery and creation of an Education Center, with VSU able to use a portion of the renovated space for a VSU Museum.
— PAAL launchs a one-week Summer Art Camp program for elementary school children.
— Ground breaking on renovations and Education Center commence.
— City of Petersburg agrees to donate lot adjacent to PAAL for use as an Art Park.
2009
— PAAL hosts 1st annual spring fashion show.
— PAAL celebrates completion of Phase I gallery renovations and Grand Opening of Education Center.
— PAAL expands Summer Art Camp for elementary school children to two weeks.
— City of Petersburg transfers lot designated for use as an Art Park to PAAL.
— PAAL hosts 1st annual fall crafts show.
2010
— PAAL hosts 1st annual gala event.
— PAAL breaks ground on Art Park.
— PAAL expands two-week Summer Art Camp to include programming for both elementary school children and 7th to 9th graders.
