Emily Smith

Executive Director

Prior to coming to 1708, Emily was the Curatorial Fellow in Modern and Contemporary Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where she worked from 2007 until 2010. Projects at VMFA include the exhibitions, The Ludwig and Rosy Fischer Collection of German Expressionist Art; Matisse, Picasso, and Modern Art in Paris; and Labor and Leisure: Works by African American Artists in the VMFA Permanent Collections. Prior to VMFA, she was Director of Exhibitions at Piedmont Arts in Martinsville, Virginia (2004-2007) and the Assistant Director at Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, Virginia (2003-2004). Smith was an adjunct faculty member in art history at Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville, VA and was a critic for a Charlottesville, Virginia weekly paper. Smith received a MA in Art History from the University of Virginia in 2002.

Cidney Cher

Operations Manager

Cidney is a studio artist with a BFA in Papermaking, Printmaking and Art History. She admires 1708 for championing generations of emerging contemporary artists through building community and culture in Richmond. From working with Professional Art Handling and Page Bond Gallery, she learned the ropes of fine art logistics and grew curious about how creative small businesses evolve amidst creative and societal change.Interests outside of the gallery are the history of blues guitar and music, marbling textiles and discovering new artists.

Unicia Buster

Programs Manager

Unicia Buster was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She holds a B.F.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from George Mason University, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in pre-health sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has previously worked as a graphic designer for the Richmond Free Press and an art specialist for VCU Health. Buster is a working artist and has exhibited work in Virginia, New York, Washington D.C., South Carolina, and Italy.