Ted Elmore leads a community effort to build a park that spans a river. A bridge that connects us all. As the president of nonprofit Richmond BridgePark Foundation, Ted has a big vision for a system of interconnected parks and public spaces that links the riverfront experience to the City of Richmond. The team's proposed linear public park spanning the James River aims to transform 9th Street into a world-class destination for biking, walking, art, education, events, and community engagement. Ted is also an avid arts lover and patron and ardent Richmond advocate. This week, Ted joins us as our guest editor as we explore this place we call home. Take it away, Ted...
There’s no better time to celebrate our public gathering spaces, integrate art into learning, and to seek out new ways to experience our City, and each other. Here are my three tips for the weekend ahead.
See you in the city!
Park(ing)
Day
This Friday, over 20 Richmond design, architecture, creative firms and artists are celebrating Park(ing) Day, an annual event that takes place across the globe as parking spots are turned into temporary public parks, art installations and other creative uses for the community to enjoy. Here locally, Venture Richmond is coordinating this year’s Park(ing) Day event, which will include a design/build competition that will be judged by a panel of Richmonders. The person or organization with the winning pop-up park for Park(ing) Day will have the opportunity to take their urban park to the next level by partnering with Venture Richmond and the City of Richmond on the creation of a more permanent parklet installation in the downtown area for people to use every day of the year. Here readers can visit the 20+ pop-up parks from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm this Friday.
We’re currently smack dab in the middle of Modern Richmond Week, which means there’s no better time to celebrate modernism throughout the region. While most events are sold out for Modern Richmond Week, there’s still a chance to drop in on the Modern Market, the 3rd annual showcase of 1000+ Mid-Century artifacts. This year’s event takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Mobelux and will feature 12 dealers specializing in all styles of Mid-Century furniture, home decor, lighting, textiles, art, ceramics, art glass, sculpture, vintage clothing, and luxury goods. During the event, ART180 will debut its Pop Up Mod Shop with furniture and art produced by the ART180 program participants. While you’re there, try out glass blowing with artist Michael Martin at his mobile studio and snag the new Modern Richmond book! And on Sunday head over to Aloi for a free Modern Richmond Wrap Up Party open to the public!
For ten years, Studio Two Three, a local nonprofit, has given Richmonders the space, tools, and education to find that thing they love and make it. As Central Virginia’s only arts incubator, Studio Two Three provides 24/7 access to printing presses, darkroom, digital lab, communal workspace and individual studios to support art making and elevate voices in our community. Stop by The Studio Two Three shop, located inside of Studio Two Three, this weekend for Richmond swag, local art, and unique gifts from a rotating cast of local artists. After you get a sense of what Studio Two Three is all about, come back and throw down on September 28 for their annual auction (hot tip: it's the party of the year) on Saturday, September 28, called The Silver Factory! This event sells out every year.
And, of course, get to the River!! Beautiful weekend ahead!
Represent Richmond well in our comfy cotton t-shirt emblazoned with a hand-drawn design. Yes, that's Richmond's airport code. We consider this tee perfect attire for exploring our parks, traveling the world, or enjoying a lazy day in the River City.
