Posts Tagged ‘Richmonders of the Year’
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.
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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 |
It’s so nice to receive an award from City Council…especially if you know about it.
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on January 27th, 2010
You see, it started with a cryptic email from Councilman Samuels on Monday evening apologizing for wires getting crossed on this “Person of the Year” award that he wanted to present to me, which I assumed he was referring to the Style Weekly “Richmonders of the Year” recognition (which occurred around January 6). Since this was around 8:30pm and I was sitting at The Camel with a pint in front of me waiting for Taylor Barnett and gang to start, I left this to figure out in the morning. This was a HUH? moment.
But around midnight after I got home, I remembered that I hadn’t checked my voice mail messages since I’d been in meetings most of the day, where low and behold, I find a call from Councilman Samuels’ assistant from 4pm, requesting my presence two hours later for THAT NIGHT’s City Council meeting to accept “an award for First Fridays.” To say the least, I’m REALLY shocked and confused at this point. The two pints don’t help. This was a WTF? moment.
I didn’t get to put the pieces of this puzzle together until Tuesday morning by deciphering more emails, like the ones ‘congratulating me on the award I received at City Council last night.’ I’m left with a mixture of emotions: dazed, embarrassment for not being there, annoyance at not being contact in a timely manner, thrilled with the honor, disappointed to not have been able to be there to accept it in person, then back to shocked and confused. Understand here, that I still have no idea what occurred at the City Council meeting or what this “award” actually is.
But today, I received this handsome award in hand from Amy Howard, Director of UR’s Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, and it is a Community Service Award, and is lovely. Luck had it that her colleague from UR was at Monday’s City Council meeting for another reason and was able to accept the award on our behalf, since they are our presenting sponsor. This, I’m so happy the cosmos were in line on as we couldn’t do what we do without the University of Richmond, so the honor goes to them for sure.
At this point, I’m working on the details with Councilman Samuels’ office for a more appropriate presentation at the upcoming First Fridays. I’ll check back in with the details once I know more.
This whole situation has taken me by surprise. This can’t normally be the process for this sort of thing, is it? While it’s a huge honor that I’m so grateful for, I must admit that I’m left scratching my head and feeling deflated. Why now/this particular date? Why was this coordinated so quickly? Why wasn’t I given appropriate notice? It would have been easy to contact us in advance and for me change my schedule to attend, plus this would have OBVIOUSLY been an event that we would have liked to have shared with our supporters, the participating First Fridays venues, plus the public.
It makes me feel a little tired.
Yikes! I’m making a dive into real online writing and not sure what to think about the first effort
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on January 6th, 2010
If anyone is reading this, you’ve likely heard or seen enough of me already. But I’ve got to tell you about another place you can glean some insight into the local arts scene. Through our new online sponsor relationship with the awesome people at www.Richmond.com, I’ll be writing a monthly “must see” type of article of the forthcoming exhibitions or events at First Fridays.
The first entry went up today and it’s ok. Not bad, not great. The shows are much better than the piece. That’s what I get for being insanely busy and overwhelmed with end of year work, company in town, husband getting ready for big new years eve gig (musician), not to mention moving our office (which is taking FOREVER thanks to what appears to be bad realtor) and then there was this whole “Richmonders of the Year” thing this week. (ha!) I know I was putting sweat on the brow of the Richmond.com editors but they cheerfully said ‘no problem!’ They’re nice that way. I know my writing is better than this first piece and I hope to not jump the gun and send off a Tweet to tell everyone to check out my worldly insights next time until the links and photos are up. Ugh. (Sorry Karri and Colleen!)
Anyway, check out what I’m looking forward to in January at some of the participating First Fridays galleries:
http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/jan/06/january-2010-art-top-picks-first-fridays/