First Fridays is hot IN the press this month!
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on April 1st, 2010
We love getting good press. Sure, I know, who doesn’t? But when it’s from these great publications, it’s very special. Check out these links for great reads on the upcoming First Fridays Art Walk on April 2!
Richmond.com – First Fridays Guide includes three pieces related to First Fridays Art Walk
http://www2.richmond.com/events/first-fridays-art-walk/
RVANews.com - RVAJazz covers jazz programming at Richmond CenterStage & UR Downtown
http://rvanews.com/entertainment/jazz/first-fridays-art-walk-looks-eastward/26854
Richmond Grid Magazine – reprint of Richmond.com article “highlights” article
http://richmondgrid.com/index.asp?ID=361
Richmond Times-Dispatch – reviews “First Fridays East” spring project
Awesome Art & Warmer Weather = An Amazing First Fridays
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on March 29th, 2010
First Fridays Art Walk / Richmond, VA
April 2, 2010
The next First Fridays Art Walk will continue to bring Downtown alive as the April 2, 2010 event will feature a wealth of activities, including an award winning public art installation by renowned architect Peter Culley, anticipated anniversary celebrations at 1708 Gallery and Gallery 5, plus numerous exhibitions, lots of live music, artist demonstrations and vendors, and always, the unexpected. And the forecasted warmer weather will certainly make the event a popular one. Along with free entertainment, visitors to First Fridays will find unique shopping opportunities, highly ranked restaurants, and some of Richmond’s best hotels in the surrounding area. Downtown is Richmond’s top cultural destination for a night on the town or an exciting creative weekend getaway.
April 2nd is notable as the second installment in a three month-long effort known as, “First Fridays East.
” This exciting spring project is a new collaboration between Curated Culture and some of Downtown’s top cultural venues located just east of the heart of First Fridays, between 6th and 9th Streets, including Library of Virginia, Richmond CenterStage, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, and UR Downtown. Each venue will feature a variety of free activities and entertainment between 5:00pm-8:00pm on April 2 and again on May 7.
Visitors to “First Fridays East” will be treated to powerful exhibitions, artist talks and demonstrations at the Library of Virginia and at St. Paul’s, while a diversity of great live music will be featured at Richmond CenterStage and UR Downtown.
CenterStage will present a night of local jazz with the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild Small Ensemble, Richmond Jazz Composers Alliance Quintet, and the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild Large Ensemble, and UR will host the University’s Bossa Nova and Samba Ensemble (featuring Kevin Harding on guitar) as well as The Octaves, UR’s all-male a capella group. As with First Fridays, “First Fridays East” will feature something for everyone!
Free parking is available at St Paul’s Episcopal Church beginning at 5:00pm. Free parking is also available at the Library of Virginia parking deck from 5:00-8:00pm.
Highlights of the upcoming April 2 First Fridays Art Walk:
- “Light House 1: Jackson Ward, RVA” – lighted public art installation to be reinstalled at Visual Art Studio parking lot (208 W Broad St). Created for the original 2008 InLight Richmond event organized by 1708 Gallery, “Light House” was the award winning piece, and is a representation of a Jackson Ward house, but is seen only by the glowing presence of the interior and exterior at night. It is produced by an extensive team of artists led by Peter Culley, head of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts expansion project, and this reinstallation is part of the celebrations leading up to the VMFA’s grand opening. http://www.spatialaffairsbureau.com/
- “First Fridays East” – Start off your First Fridays evening with special events in the eastern area of Downtown between 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Library of Virginia (artist demos & exhibition), Richmond CenterStage (live local jazz throughout the night), St Paul’s Episcopal Church (exhibitions & tours of the historic Tiffany windows), UR Downtown (live Bossa Nova & Samba music.)
- Richmond CenterStage will also be hosting a Food Drive for the Central Virginia Food Bank, so bring plenty of cans goods to help those in need in our community.
- 1708 Gallery celebrates the 20th Anniversary of their popular Annual Art Auction. “Home is Where the Art Is” will feature a diverse range of artworks by 70 artists. This is always a not-to-be-missed event in the creative community since it’s a great opportunity to acquire sought after artists while supporting Richmond’s oldest nonprofit galleries. Honorary Chair of this year’s anniversary celebration is Alex Nyerges, Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
- Gallery 5 kicks off a month-long celebration of its 5th Anniversary with a special photography exhibition featuring work by a dozen photographers celebrating the gallery’s last 5 uniquely creative years. Live music, theatre, and poetry to accompany the exhibition.
- Richmond Public Library (Main Branch) celebrates National Poetry Month with the 2010 Brodie Herndon Poetry lecture at 7:00pm, featuring Kathleen Graber, author of the book Correspondence and winner of the 2005 Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize.
- Quirk Gallery artist vendors – a variety of artists and crafts vendors can always been found at the parking lot located next to the wildly popular shop, Quirk.
- Reggae group, Unity Sound, will perform at Metro Sound & Music for a free CD release show.
SAVE THE DATE! FIRST FRIDAYS EAST / April 2 / 5pm-8pm
Posted by Christina in Special Events at First Fridays on March 18th, 2010
Library of Virginia | 5–8 pm
• Craft demonstrations by Richmond-area artists—from multimedia collage to glass design—with finished works available for purchase (Lobby)
• The Land We Live In, The Land We Left: Virginia’s People explores the lives of immigrants from a variety of homelands who settled in every part of the state (Exhibition Gallery & Lobby)
http://www.lva.virginia.gov/ or call 804.692.3524 for more information
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | Parish Hall | 5–8 pm
• Opening Reception: Simple Gifts, Photography by Bruce Yoder
• Church open for tours, featuring an altarpiece mosaic replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper by Tiffany and 25 stained-glass windows, 10 of them by Tiffany
http://www.stpauls-episcopal.org/firstfridays
University of Richmond, Downtown | 5–8 pm
• Artwork inspired by Surface Tension: Pattern, Texture and Rhythm in Art from the Collection (organized by University of Richmond Museums)
• Light refreshments and live music by the University’s Bossa, Nova and Samba Ensemble, and The Octaves, UR’s all-male a capella group
http://downtown.richmond.edu/events/firstfridays.html
Rhythm Hall at Richmond CenterStage | 5–8 pm
• Join us for an evening of music with performances by the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild Small Ensemble, the Richmond Jazz Composers Alliance Quintet, and the Richmond Youth Jazz Guild Large Ensemble. Light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar available.
http://www.richmondcenterstage.com/
SPRING FEATURE OF FIRST FRIDAYS ART WALK
Richmond’s popular arts and cultural program First Fridays Art Walk makes a special expansion east this spring to connect with the Library of Virginia, Richmond CenterStage, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and University of Richmond Downtown.
On March 5, April 2, and May 7, 2010, from 5 to 8 pm, the “First Fridays East” locations will offer refreshments, live music, and diverse exhibitions.
All free and open to the public. Click on venue links for locations and more info.
Free underground parking is available at the Library of Virginia from 5 to 8 pm and in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church garage after 5 pm (no closing time).
Keep Your Dollars in Town: SHOP RVA THIS WEEKEND!
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on March 17th, 2010
Curated Culture is proud to celebrate the work of The Bridge CDC, the organization behind Shop Richmond Weekend taking place this weekend March 19, 20, 21, 2010!
There’s no better way to keep our community thriving than by Shopping Local and keeping your dollars here, in your own home town! Don’t look to Amazon or Ebay or Walmart or Lowe’s to get you what you need. Everything you need, and want, can be found right here in RVA, provided by your friendly neighbors. And by buying only local this weekend, you’re helping to improve our community’s economic development and the well-being of those friends and neighbors that are contributing to making our community so unique. Just think about whether you’d like to see your favorite establishments stay in business.
We’re helping our friends with Shop RVA spread the word about shopping local by lending them space at 323 West Broad Street (Artisan Alley building) this Saturday, March 20 for the big push. They’ll be on site to help you learn more about why it’s important to shop local and about our diverse local biz community. There will be SO much going on Downtown on Saturday along the streets and inside the businesses. Experience vendors, live music, artists and craft activities as well as dining specials at the local restaurants and sales at the retail shops.
Keep the third Saturday of the month on your calendar as this Saturday is also the launch of “Saturday Stroll”, a new effort coordinated by the downtown businesses to promote the diversity of shopping, dining, and entertainment options found on and off Broad Street.
You can learn more about what businesses are participating and about this weekend’s plans at: http://www.shoprva.org
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 20 from 10am-2pm at our space – 323 West Broad Street (near 1708 Gallery)
Warm Up With the Junior League of Richmond & Renowned Jazz Musicians Roger Carroll & Alan Parker!
Posted by Christina in Special Events at First Fridays on March 4th, 2010
We’re so excited to welcome the Junior League of Richmond to First Fridays Art Walk!
![JL_cocoasale_FF[1]](http://www.curatedculturerichmond.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JL_cocoasale_FF1.jpg "JL_cocoasale_FF[1]")
We eagerly support their contributions to the community and encourage you to drop by 343 West Broad Street, which is next door to Quirk Gallery, between 5:30-8:30pm this Friday evening, March 5 and warm up with a cup of delicious hot chocolate! Proceeds benefit community programs that support families and children in need.
Curated Culture is delighted to partner on this event by providing the lush sounds of Richmond’s well-known jazz duo, Roger Carroll on saxophones and Alan Parker on guitar.
The Junior League of Richmond, VA. is an organization of women trained for effective leadership in community activities and dedicated to the belief that volunteer service is an essential part of responsible citizenship. It provides administrative, financial, and volunteer support for projects and facilitates the permanent sponsorship of programs by appropriate community organizations. The League currently focuses on projects that target families and children in need in the Richmond area.
http://www.jlrichmond.org/?nd=home
Join Us on March 5th for First Fridays East!
Posted by Christina in Special Events at First Fridays on March 2nd, 2010
FIRST FRIDAYS
east
We’re excited to make a special expansion east this spring to connect with eastern cultural anchors – the Library of Virginia, Richmond CenterStage, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and University of Richmond Downtown
FIRST FRIDAYS east EVENTS
On March 5, April 2, and May 7, 2010, from 5-8 pm,
“First Fridays East” locations will offer refreshments, live music, diverse exhibitions, and an art auction. Richmond CenterStage tops off the night with free performances (now sold out) at 8pm at their dynamic new facilities.
All events are free and open to the public. Click on venue links for more info.
Free Parking is available between 5:30-8pm at the Library of Virginia underground parking garage and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Parking Garage at the corner of 8th and Grace Streets. Visitors to St. Paul’s parking deck can enter anytime between 5:30-8:30 and can exit anytime later that evening.
Library of Virginia | Corner of 8th & Broad | 5–8pm
- Artist Demonstrations and Live Music
- Samples of Virginia’s finest foods and beverages in the Virginia Shop, featuring the international award winning wines of Barboursville Winery, chosen as the signature red wines of the Inauguration Conservation Gala that honored President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
- The Land We Live In, The Land We Left: Virginia’s People (Exhibition Gallery & Lobby) explores the lives of immigrants from a variety of homelands who settled in every part of the state.
- http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | Corner of 8th & Grace | 5–8pm
- Annual Lenten Lunch Silent Art Auction featuring artwork, handcrafts, books, prints and photography, jewelry, and more (proceeds support charity)
- Lenten Lunch desserts & coffee reception and tours of the historic church
- http://www.stpauls-episcopal.org/index.php/who/news_announcements/new_first_fridays_east_spring_feature/
UR Downtown | Corner of 7th & Broad | 5–8pm
- Artwork inspired by Surface Tension: Pattern, Texture and Rhythm in Art from the Collection (organized by University of Richmond Museums)
- Light refreshments and live bluegrass and roots music from Shake & Howdy (University of Richmond professor Dr. Barry Lawson and bandmate Dave Kuo)
- http://news.richmond.edu/releases/article/www/933/ur-downtown-to-participate-in-first-fridays-east.html
Richmond CenterStage | Corner of 7th & Grace | 5–8pm
- A free performance of Richmond Shakespeare’s Othello at the Gottwald Playhouse (co-produced by African-American Repertory Theatre). Tickets available through the Richmond CenterStage box office, Monday–Friday, 11 am–5 pm. Must be picked up in person. Limit 2 tickets per person. THIS PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT!
- http://www.richmondcenterstage.com/
First Fridays Redux: It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Weekend
Posted by Christina in Special Events at First Fridays, Uncategorized on February 15th, 2010
Updated: Friday, February 19 12:30pm
If you’re like me, you’re eager to get out of the house. So that’s why I’m excited to be visiting the First Fridays Art Walk venues this coming Friday night. Let’s just call it a “First Fridays Redux.” So join me on this Friday, February 19 and take in new exhibitions, unique shopping and some incredible dining. Here’s a run down of who will be open on Friday, but be sure to check back as we get closer to Friday for any updates. I’ll also be posting updates on Twitter, so be sure to follow me at: firstfridaysrva
See You Downtown!
Christina
Accommodations:
- Linden Row Inn – featuring exhibition The Muse Among Us and a premium cash bar / 6:00pm-9:00pm
Cultural Venues:
- Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Va – opening reception for the new exhibition, Take Our Stand, featuring guest speaker Dr. Kimberley Phillips, Professor of American Studies and History at the College of William and Mary, and refreshments and live music by Glennroy Bailey / 6:00pm-8:30pm
- Elegba Folklore Society – featuring Vandorn Hinnant’s exhibition Of Numbers and Other Mysteries / 6:00pm-9:00pm
Galleries:
- 1708 Gallery – opening reception of Forest For The Trees by artists Dana Sperry and Chad Erpelding / 6:30pm-8:00pm with Artist Talk at 6:30pm
- art6 – presenting Stayin’ Alive fundraiser featuring artsy yard sale, silent auction, door prizes, and refreshments / 6:00pm-10:00pm
- Corporate & Museum Frame – featuring the photography of Matt Cowan and Craig Rudlin / 7:00pm-10:00pm
- Gallery 5 – ticketed live music performance by: A Storm Of Light, Mia Vengeance, Might Could, Suzukiton / 7:00pm and $8
- Ghostprint Gallery – featuring Italian Art & Design / 7:00pm-10:00pm
- ISHQ Gallery – artwork by “Lost Boy,” Awer Bul. The works on display are both his and works by Sudanese refugees from the Kenyan camp that he held art workshops in. Proceeds from sales will directly raise money for United Families for Sudan’s project to dig a well in southern Sudan / 7:00-10:00pm
- Quirk – featuring Sane Enough, photography of Ann Bradshaw, and mixed media works of Debbie Quirk & Elizabeth Perkins / 6:00pm-10:00pm
- Studio/Gallery 6 – featuring Pattern Searching Animals, mixed media work of Todd Hale / 7:00pm-12:00am
- Visual Art Studio – featuring Forgotten Memories, new paintings by Chris Semtner / 5:00pm-9:00pm
Restaurants:
- Belvidere on Broad – open for dinner & drinks 5:00pm-close & the mixed media artwork of Jonathan Weston
- Bistro 27 – featuring dinner from 5:00pm-10:00pm and artwork by David Cochran
- Lemaire – open for dinner and drinks 4:00pm-1:00am
- LIft Coffee Shop – open 7:00am-7:00pm
- Popkin’s Tavern – open for dinner and drinks 11:30am-2:00am
- Tarrant’s Cafe – open for dinner and drinks 11:00am-midnight & featuring large-scale work by artist Janet Shaunessy
Winter Getting You Down? Downtown’s Got the Cure!
Posted by Christina in Special Events at First Fridays on February 12th, 2010
The wintery weather continues to hit RVA, so much so, that we had to basically cancel our regular First Fridays Art Walk event on February 5th, but you can enjoy new exhibitions, unique shopping, musical performances, artist talks, romantic dining, and theatrical performances this weekend.
Details below and on our www.firstfridaysrichmond.com website
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2010
- CORPORATE & MUSEUM FRAME – 301 West Broad Street
Photography by Matt Cowan and Craig Rudlin
6:00-10:00pm
Free
- GALLERY 5 – 200 West Marshall Street
Sweethearts for the Arts: A Blush-Worthy Benefit for Art on Wheels
8:00pm
$15
The fundraiser will include burlesque and variety performances, live music, and a date auction. Proceeds support the nonprofit Art on Wheels.
- GHOSTPRINT GALLERY – 220 West Broad Street
Italian Art & Design
6:00-9:00pm
Free Exhibition featuring furniture, glassware, ceramics and 2-dimensional works of art.
- RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY – 101 East Franklin Street
Exhibition Reception & Richmond Writers Series event
7:00-9:00pm
Free
Richmond Writers Series:
Margaret Edds at 7:00pm, reading from her new book, “Finding Sara: A Daughter’s Journey” http://www.margaretedds.com
Exhibitions on View: Gellman Room - Pictural Colloquy, collection of works by local illustrator Tin Salamunic Dooley Foyer - Nocturne Paintings: Richmond artist, Tobin Karicher presents paintings exploring luminosity, atmosphere, and the subliminal Dooley Hall - Fantasy in Collage, digital collage with writing, drawing and photography by Christine StoddardUnderwater Creature Linoleum Series, linoleum block prints by Nina Starfish Second Floor Gallery - Portraits and Still Lifes, pencil and charcoal drawings by Richmond artist Robert Jones David Freed Gallery – features the Library’s permanent collection of prints of renowned authors by Richmond printmaker, David Freed Newbold Perkins Gallery – paintings by Anne Newbold Perkins, Richmond artist and former Richmond Public Library artist.
- THEATRE IV – Empire Theatre, 114 West Broad Street
The Song of Mulan
7:00pm
Adult $22; Senior & Student: $21; Child: $18
When Mulan learns that her ailing father is drafted into Khan’s army, she protects him by serving in his place. Disguised as a boy, she risks
everything to maintain family honor and earn the love of her nation. This noble Chinese folk tale features an extraordinary heroine, a dynamic and powerful score, gorgeous costumes and one of the most inspiring stories of all time. Performance for ages 4 and up
- VISUAL ART STUDIO – 208 West Broad Street
Chris Semtner: Forgotten Memories
5:00-8:00pm
Free
Semtner’s delicately rendered, mostly small-scale acrylic paintings on wood present a dark, mysterious, and dangerous world in which people are victims of their own fears and desires. His work has affinities with the surreal worlds of such writers as Kafka or Poe, but Semtner’s beautifully lyrical works simultaneously call to mind such disparate visual sources as Art Nouveau, Dutch genre painting, and ‘sixties horror movie posters.
- RESTAURANTS OPEN: Belvidere on Broad Lemaire Popkin’s Tavern Tarrant’s Café
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2010
- THEATRE IV – Empire Theatre, 114 West Broad Street
The Song of Mulan
Performances at 10:00am, 3:00pm, 6:00pm
Adult $22; Senior & Student: $21; Child: $18
When Mulan learns that her ailing father is drafted into Khan’s army, she protects him by serving in his place. Disguised as a boy, she risks
everything to maintain family honor and earn the love of her nation. This noble Chinese folk tale features an extraordinary heroine, a dynamic and powerful score, gorgeous costumes and one of the most inspiring stories of all time. Performance for ages 4
- QUIRK GALLERY – 311 West Broad Street
Our Favorite Valentines
11:00am-4:00pm
Quirk invites you to experience their favorite valentines, Orchids from Chadwicks Orchids, chocolates de Rochonnet Delights, pastries from Garnett’s Café, and handmade valentines from artist Stacy Moore.
- 1708 GALLERY – 319 West Broad Street
Artist Talk with Barbara Campbell Thomas
1:00pm
Free
Artist Barbara Campbell Thomas will present an Artist Talk at 1:00pm on her current exhibition Painting (in part, and in pieces), which comprises large pieced together paintings on paper, small highly layered paintings on canvas and a series of mid-sized collages made in tandem. All the work employs an intensely colorful and fragmentary abstract language of shape, line and texture.
- CHEZ FOUSHEE Corner of East Grace Street & Foushee
Pre-Valentines Dinner
Seating’s 6:00pm & 8:30pm
$40 per person
Visit www.chezfoushee.com for details and reservations
- GALLERY 5 – 200 West Marshall Street
Sleight of Hand II: A National Juried Contemporary Craft Show
7:00-11:00pm Awards ceremony 7:30pm
Free
This exhibition will feature works chosen by a selected panel of jurors. Award recipients will receive cash prices and gift certificates from Plaza Artist Materials www.plazaart.com Featuring works by: Kyle Shover, Jacquelyn Walther, Nathalie David, Nathan Hansen, Christine Alaniz, Diana Baumbach, Aimee Joyaux, Lucy Bergen, Amanda Outcalt, Danielle Stevens
Featuring Musical Performances By: Young Adult Fiction and Midair
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2010
- THEATRE IV – Empire Theatre, 114 West Broad Street
The Song of Mulan
2:00pm
Adult $22; Senior & Student: $21; Child: $18
When Mulan learns that her ailing father is drafted into Khan’s army, she protects him by serving in his place. Disguised as a boy, she risks
everything to maintain family honor and earn the love of her nation. This noble Chinese folk tale features an extraordinary heroine, a dynamic and powerful score, gorgeous costumes and one of the most inspiring stories of all time. Performance for ages 4
- GALLERY 5 - 200 West Marshall Street
Punk Rock Valentine’s Matinee
3:30pm
$8 single or $14 couple
Performances by: Off With Their Heads, Cloak/Dagger, Brainworms, Slow Death, Sexy Crimes
Urgent News! Wintery Mix Forces Closures During First Fridays
Posted by Christina in Special Events at First Fridays on February 4th, 2010
UPDATED: 5:50PM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
Damn this wintery mix! Haven’t we had our requisite winter weather already?!
Unfortunately this third winter storm to hit the Richmond Region couldn’t come at a worse time, just in time for First Fridays! Yippie! (insert sarcasm)
I’ve spent most of the last two days taking calls, sending emails, watching weather reports, and praying for a turn in the forecast, but at this day’s end, it looks like we can’t change the 100% forecast of snow and sleet, so many of our Downtown businesses and organizations have decided to close for tomorrow evening but there will be a select group braving the weather to bring you great art and delicious dining.
We haven’t heard from everyone yet, but here’s the most current list of who’s open and closures for Friday, February 5, 2010. Please check back for updates!!
While it’s nearly impossible to get everyone in place to designate a postponement date, be on the look out for a possible make up date on Friday, February 19. (Weather permitting)
And don’t forget, that many of the sites have activities planned all month long so there are plenty of reasons to head Downtown on days other than just First Fridays. Our small business and cultural organizations need your support to keep operating, so show them all some love and get there soon!
WHO’S OPEN:
- The Belvidere on Broad restaurant
- Bistro 27 *offering dining specials & 1/2 price wine
- Lemaire
- Linden Row
- Popkin’s Tavern
- Tarrant’s Cafe
- Turnstyle
- Visual Art Studio
WHO’S GOING TO BE CLOSED:
- 1708 Gallery
- 9WG Studios
- art6
- Black History Museum & Cultural Center of VA
- Centenary United Methodist
- Chez Foushee
- Corporate & Museum Frame
- Eric Schindler Satellite Space Gallery
- ForInstance Gallery
- Gallery 5
- Ghostprint Gallery
- ISHQ Gallery
- Lift Coffee Shop *closing at 7pm
- Metro Sound & Music Co.
- Metro Space Gallery
- Quirk Gallery
- Renovation Resources
- Richmond Public Library – Downtown branch
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
- Studio/Gallery 6
Our Letter to the Editor published in Style Weekly
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on January 28th, 2010
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 |