Nestled on a mountaintop just outside of Charlottesville, Les Yeux du Monde has always offered more than a place to view art. It’s a space shaped by perspective that continues to evolve while staying rooted in its origins.
The vision for the gallery began with Lyn Bolen Warren, who founded the gallery in 1995. As her daughter, Hagan Tampellini, now carries it forward, the original mission remains.
“My mother, Lyn Bolen Warren, founded Les Yeux du Monde in 1995 shortly after earning her Ph.D. in Art History from UVA,” Tampellini said. “She started the gallery on the walls of her mountaintop home, and named it ‘the eyes of the world’ in French to reflect both the beautiful, expansive views from the mountaintop, and her conviction that great art serves as a lens through which we better perceive and understand our world.”
From the beginning, the gallery was shaped by Warren’s belief that art is inseparable from the way we experience life itself, enriching it and contributing to how individuals learn to understand themselves. “Her deep knowledge of both contemporary and historical art allowed her to ground new work in the lineage that shaped it,” Tampellini said. “She saw art history as a lens on the history of the world, and believed that contemporary art reflects not only the time in which it is made, but the essence of who we are as people.”
Over the years, the gallery moved through several downtown spaces before returning to its original mountaintop setting in 2009, this time in a striking structure of corten steel and glass designed by renowned architect W.G. Clark. The setting is purposeful and part of the experience.
“Part of my mother’s impetus for bringing the gallery back to the mountaintop was that she wanted it to be a destination,” Tampellini said. “She wanted you to go on a literal and philosophical journey -- a departure from the everyday that puts you into a completely different headspace.”
The drive up, with the Ed Haddaway sculptures along the way, and the moment the building comes into view, all encourage visitors to slow down and shift their perspective before stepping inside. “By moving from town to this modernist, light-filled sanctuary, visitors experience a necessary shift in perspective,” she said. “The architecture allows the art to breathe and creates a contemplative atmosphere where the noise of daily life just falls away.”
After her mother’s passing, Tampellini stepped into a leadership role that came with both weight and meaning. “Stepping into this role after my mother’s passing in 2021 was profoundly humbling, and I find myself more aware every day of the true magnitude and significance of what she built,” she said. “Beyond the striking physical space of the gallery, she cultivated an expansive world of ideas, thoughtful discourse, and shared experience.” That foundation continues to guide her approach.
“It is an honor to now carry that vision forward, and her values remain my ‘north star’ -- her personal integrity, infinite graciousness, unwavering commitment to her principles, and conviction that great art is not merely a commodity, but a vital necessity for understanding our existential situation and the world in which we live.”
Under Tampellini’s direction, the gallery’s curatorial voice remains thoughtful and intentional. Exhibitions are chosen not just for visual appeal, but for their context, with a focus on work that invites conversation and reflection.
“Our mission has long been to show visually exciting and meaningful work with an emphasis on art historical significance,” she said. “We champion established and emerging contemporary artists whose work is not only aesthetically compelling, but rich in thought and depth.”
Throughout its years, the gallery has remained closely tied to Charlottesville’s creative community, supporting local artists, and that authentic effort has been reciprocated. “Perhaps our most rewarding achievement, however, is the community that has coalesced around the gallery. We recently celebrated our 30th anniversary, a milestone I am immensely proud of because it underscores the enduring nature of this institution,” she said. “We remain dedicated to fostering a deep engagement with contemporary art in this community, supporting the careers of artists, and inviting our neighbors into the life-changing practice of living with great artwork.”
Looking ahead, Tampellini sees her role as both preserving and evolving what her mother created. “I view my role as stewarding the gallery through an evolution rather than a departure,” she said. That means holding onto the gallery’s distinct point of view while continuing to expand its reach and relevance in a changing world.
At its core, the work remains rooted in the connection between people, ideas, and experiences. “I am most energized by the idea of the gallery as a living bridge. At its heart, this is relationship-driven work, and I find immense gratification in the deep and meaningful relationships we build with the artists we champion, the art lovers who support us, and the connections we facilitate between the two,” Tampellini said.
“Ultimately, my hope is for Les Yeux du Monde to remain a vibrant destination where my mother’s legacy lives on -- not as a static history, but a radiating presence that helps our community see the world with more clarity and wonder.”