Posts Tagged ‘Style Weekly’
First Fridays Art Walk Tonight!
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on May 7th, 2010
There’s honestly not enough time and space to list all the great exhibitions and events taking place tonight May 7, 2010 and extending throughout the month of May. At least not here, but you can check out our website for a complete list of what the participating venues are presenting:
http://www.firstfridaysrichmond.com
And while you’re at our site, check out the brand new, updated First Fridays Map that’s downloadable so you can easily print out a copy and take it along as you make your way Downtown to the almost 40 participating venues. Parking and landmarks are included for convenience.
Many Thanks to METRORMEDIA for helping keep us looking good! 
I’ll also point you in the direction of Richmond.com and their awesome First Fridays Online Guide, my recent article about the May 7th Art Walk, and Richmond.com’s selection of must-sees! for tips on what to take in. Or you can read and download our recent Summer Guide presented by Style Weekly! Our new print guide is available on our website as well as at the participating venues, so pick up your copy today if you don’t already have one from the April 28th issue of Style Weekly. And by the way, be sure to support these two great media outlets as they help keep First Fridays thriving!
Our website is always the best source for details since you can access each participating venues, hit the link and find out exactly what’s on view this month or taking place during First Fridays, from exhibitions to dining specials.
Have fun and be sure to continue to shop local! Our partners need your support to keep going and keep RVA the amazing city is it.
I hope to see you at First Fridays, as it’s going to be a fabulous night!
Cheers! Christina
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.
Richmonders of the Year!
Posted by Christina in Uncategorized on January 4th, 2010
Style Weekly has honored First Fridays Art Walk galleries, business owners, and organizers (us) as the 2009 “Richmonders of the Year”
Now this came as stunning news to us to say the least. I’ve been worried about the story as you never know what’s going to end up in them and this being a “cover story”, well that just lays on the pressure even more. While I have issues with some of the points (which almost always happens with news articles or editorials), I feel it’s a fair review of the program, obstacles that small business owners deal with, and the varied opinions held by many involved and/or located Downtown.
I feel that it’s important to address the following items noted in the issue.
1. While the audience may be majority white, they make up the arts community in Richmond. It’s an unfortunate and unhappy fact, and one I wish would change and hopefully by our efforts will change the way people look at arts and culture. The audience at First Fridays is very diverse though and is something that we’re proud of. It wasn’t that long ago that you’d find most Richmond events fairly segregated based on race or age but you can’t say that about First Fridays. We’ve broken the trend on Richmond event demographics and because our program is open and inviting, we encourage everyone of all races, ages, classes, whatever, to attend; and demand of it.
We also have in fact contacted many of the Broad Street small business owners to see if they too would like to be involved and for whatever reasons they have not. One reason that would certainly have been noted if they had been asked or there was room to print it, is that most of these businesses are daytime operations, like Pawn Shops, and don’t meet the program’s purpose or feel. Personally, I think pawn shops are cool and would love to have them included to diversify the program even more plus we need more retail open downtown, but hey, maybe in the future.
I hope everyone of whatever race downtown will go out and meet their neighbors and start a conversation. First Fridays was formed to do just that in part, and we’ve succeeded. There wasn’t much conversation taking place between neighbors back in the late 90’s but that’s not true today. Things are never how you’d like them to be but we’ve actually made leaps and bounds.
2. “It’s extremely frustrating,” Newton says, explaining that every budget cycle she lobbies City Council for more support — to no avail. “I go through my plea, my funding plea, and there is always something else that needs to be funded first. I’m used to that.”
This statement needs to be noted and corrected, as we have never asked City Council for funding. Who we have contacted is, our individual city council representatives over the past 5 years, and departments within the city, such as Economic Development, Community Development, Parks and Recreation, and the Mayor’s office. But the frustrations lie with the former administration and not the current, and I feel that was not expressed well.
3. “I go through extreme love-hate relationship with the city”
I swore I said “Richmond” in this quote but maybe “city” slipped out but what I intended was “Richmond” as a whole and was not referring to the city administration. Sure some of my issues over the years have been with city rules, regulations or lack of vision or decisions made that I might have personally disagreed with, but those feelings also come with dealing with people in general and regards lots of other things not related to First Fridays! Having lived in one place for almost 20 years brings on such feelings no matter where you live. It’s not original to RVA. In short, I think this line was taking out of context.
We’re humbled nonetheless by this recognition and thank Style Weekly for this recognition as well as all of our supporters for their continued encouragement and enthusiasm. There is no better time to support your local business and community.
We are truly grateful for the generous support of our Presenting Sponsor: University of Richmond
and our other major sponsors:
Venture Richmond
CenterStage Foundation
Metro R Media
…as well as the many great participating venues in which make First Fridays a reality, and are the most deserving of this recognition!
Read the Cover Story “Broad Street Revivalists” at:
http://tiny.cc/xEKeZ
Check out an interview with Jason Roop, Editor of Style Weekly, with Ryan Nobles of NBC12’s “First @ Four”
http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=11766193
As the 25th Anniversary of the “Richmonder…” issue, additional coverage can also be found at:
NBC12 – “First at Four” – January 4, 2010
WTVR6 – 5:30pm – January 4, 2010
WRVA 1140 AM – 8:05am – January 5, 2010
Mix 103.7 FM – 8:15am – January 5, 2010
And, DON’T FORGET TO ATTEND THE NEXT FIRST FRIDAYS ART WALK ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010 6pm – 10pm