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Mill Room Gallery
As part of our commitment to supporting all varieties of art, The Mill Room functions as an art gallery. Each MainStage show features a new artist or group of artists. Work is hung through the dining room and hall. While not all pieces are for sale, any art sold benefits the Mill and supports a local artist.
Current Show
July 9 - August 9, 2025
Giraffes, Water Towers and Hula Hoops
David Cochran
Artist Statement
Dave is well known for his music related paintings where he visually meanders around the interiors of a jazz club and focuses on the musicians, dancers, patrons and bartenders in all manner of unexpected social interactions. He combines a quirky mixture of unrelated images. He sometimes includes portraits of his clients in these paintings, a unique version of a Family Portrait.
He applies acrylic paint in layers using unorthodox tools such as cauliflower, the wrong side of a brush, fingernails, used rags and discarded worn out brushes, combined with occasional traditional applications.
Dave attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Painting and Printmaking and graduated in 1976 and has been a full-time artist for over 40 years. He maintained a studio in Alexandria‘s Torpedo Factory for 32 years and now resides in the Fan in Richmond. He currently displays his paintings at Crossroad Arts Center in Richmond
His paintings are in many collections including Philip Morris, Ethyl Corp, The Federal Reserve Bank and Chrysler Museum. His patrons include US Congressmen, Virginia's Governor, CEO of Ritz Carlton and the owner of LA Dodgers. He received a 2-year grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to be Artist in Residence for York County Va.
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Click Here to find out more about this exceptional artist online.
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About the Exhibition
Swift Creek Mill Theatre is pleased to announce that David Cochran will be the Featured Artist Exhibition titled: Giraffes, Water Towers and Hula-Hoops for the run of Spitfire Grill. There is no fee to view the artwork for theatre or dining patrons. Fine art will hang on the walls of the Historic Mill Room through August 9, 2025.
Giraffes, Water Towers and Hula-Hoops by David Cochran is a partnership with Crossroads Art Center. This art exhibition highlights David’s incredible talent that is always available at Crossroads Art Center. We are excited to continue this journey in hopes to cross pollinate art enthusiasts throughout our Greater Richmond community.
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The fine art will hang on the walls of the Historic Mill Room through August 9, 2025.
Previous Artists
2023-2024 Season
Emily Turner
James River Artist Association
Kieran Segaloff
Kyle Epps
Petersburg Area Art League
Terrie Powers
Chester Artists Association
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2021-2022 Season
Baxter Perkinson
Jane Zander
Swimming In Paint
BAAAR
James River Art League
2018-2019 Season
Deanna Williford
Thomas Bradshaw
Three Friends
All Star Show
Paul Penrod
2016-2017 Season
Ed Hatch
Henry Kidd
Eleanor Cox
Paul Penrod
Donald Hardy
Sharon Denmark
2022-2023 Season
Chester Artists Association
Muzi Branch
Katherine Thompson
Art for the Journey
Abraham Sprinkle
2019-2020 Season
Central Virginia Art League
Henry Kidd
David Hoque & Ally Hill
2017-2018 Season
Mike Haubenstock
Kathy Rivera
Virginia Hickey
Jane Zander
Craig Martin
2015-2016 Season
Ivan and Baxter Perkinson
Holly Markhoff
Brenda Duckwall
Terry Lacy
Do you want to be a Featured Artist?
Apply to become one of our Featured Artists! We are always seeking new artists to celebrate at SCMT. Download the PDF below to learn about our requirements and how to apply.