Our Letter to the Editor of thanks and additions was published this week in Style Weekly; published January 27, 2010.
Basically had to note that First Fridays Art Walk would never be without the support and shared enthusiasm for the idea by the Executive Board and Membership of Artspace gallery, which was located at 6 East Broad Street, where art6 is today. They supported my crazy idea in 2000 when I was the director and served as the fiscal agent to see the project off the ground. This is a very important piece of information and history that I discussed in my interview for the recent “Richmonders of the Year” story, but didn’t make it into the article. So next time you head to Plant Zero in Manchester, head directly to Artspace and thank those guys for being in the forefront of collaboration and vision for their community then, and today.
|
It is with sincere thanks that we write on behalf of our organization and the participating venues of our First Fridays Art Walk program for recognition as Style Weekly’s 2009 Richmonders of the Year (Cover Story, Jan. 6). Artists, business owners, nonprofit and organizational representatives, neighborhood leaders, residents, sponsors, volunteers and enthusiastic members of the community have given much of themselves to help in the revitalization of downtown and to improve our overall quality of life. Each has made an impact in their own way, doing much often with little, holding onto a dream of a better Richmond and a celebrated creative community that is without doubt, world class. We are humbled, as Style’s editorial team chose this diverse group as “the people whose actions made waves, created change or symbolized a broad lesson for the community.” We have been fortunate to work with so many over this past decade whose energies are boundless and whose passions for Richmond and the arts have kept us motivated. But this story is not complete without credit given to Artspace, a pioneering gallery of Broad Street. Without the support of the gallery’s board and membership in 2000, the First Fridays concept may not have materialized in Richmond without their leadership, and we are indebted for their shared vision. Katrina C. Fontenla, Board President |