Serving the Christopher Newport community, Hampton Roads and all of Virginia, the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center cultivates extraordinary encounters with the visual arts. Whether viewing an exhibition, taking a class, or attending a lecture or gallery talk, the Torggler beckons you to explore compelling ideas through the transformative lens of visual art.
This remarkable 83,000 square-foot building features a luminous atrium capped by three cascading domes, symbolizing the three ships commanded by the university’s namesake, Christopher Newport. In addition to housing the Department of Fine Art and Art History, the Torggler offers the following amenities:
- Magnificent main gallery for major exhibitions
- Interactive Art Explorers Gallery for children (opening in 2022)
- Community art gallery
- Studio classrooms for academic and public art classes, workshops and camps
- 150-seat auditorium
The center bears the name of Mary M. Torggler. Mary and her husband George are longtime supporters of arts and education programs at Christopher Newport. Through their generosity, they have created unique opportunities for artists in both the performing and visual arts to flourish.