This week, we're celebrating True Places RVA, an experiential art initiative designed to inspire the exploration and celebration of our most authentic outdoor places in the River City. To begin, we challenged four local artists to depict Richmond’s “true places” in a work of art that highlights destinations not commonly found on a map or along a well-worn path. The result is the first in a series of fine art prints that honor places in the great outdoors that speak to our community’s ability to push further, explore deeper, reflect, and learn along the way. Each piece of art is available as a limited release print (only 250 of each true place will ever be made) just in time for last minute shoppers this holiday season.
Sharp's Island by Ed Trask
One of a kind really only begins to describe one-acre Sharp's Island on the James River in the middle of downtown Richmond! Adventure seekers know this spot as the only legal camping option in the heart of RVA. Art is already a part of the Sharp’s Island story as a sculpture made by Keith Ramsey from repurposed railroad ties sits at the tip of the island. Richmond artist Ed Trask, an avid explorer and fan of all things outside, paddled to Sharp’s to create this special piece for the True Places series. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this print benefits the Blue Sky Fund.
Located at Ancarrow’s Landing in Richmond, the Manchester Slave Docks sit quietly along the rutted banks of the James amid a tangled forest of concrete pillars, trees, and history hidden in plain sight. As part of the Richmond Slave Trail, the docks serve as a place to reflect on the journey many slaves walked from the river’s port to slave jails in the city. Today, the docks are part of an effort to pull back the covers of a dark history as part of Richmond’s responsibility to understand the authentic story and to tell the truth. Austin "Auz" Miles, a celebrated Richmond artist known for creating visual conversations that ignite understanding and inspire community healing, painted the Manchester Slave Docks for our True Places series. A portion of the proceeds from Auz’s piece will benefit Keep Virginia Cozy, a nonprofit working to increase diversity and inclusion in our public lands while leaving outdoor places better than we find them.
Just down the metal ladder along a narrow catwalk atop the pipeline, you’ll find the heart of Richmond. Here the CSX railway serves as your canopy above, with giant granite boulders flanking the banks and the river raging below your feet. You’ll spot Blue Herons nesting in their riverfront rookery along with Osprey, ducks and geese. Nearby the islands are wild and crumbling ruins of Richmond’s past scatter the landscape. Sounds of passing trains mix with the cadence of the James roaring through the Pipeline Rapids, mirroring the pace of our own lives. Artist Melissa Burgess has captured this special place in her painting of the Pipeline as part of the Ture Places series. A portion of the proceeds from Melissa’s piece will benefit Beyond Boundaries, a nonprofit in Richmond specializing in guiding participants with disabilities, veterans, at risk youth, and recovery programs on outdoor adventures.
In 1819, a two-story gristmill on the north bank of the James River was built, just downstream of what is now the Nickel Bridge. The ruins of that once-massive stone structure still stands today! That's right, 200-years of storms and floods have not quite consumed it. This abandoned and almost entirely unknown slice of Richmond offers a tangible link to Richmond history and reminder of our tenacity. Go in search of Foushee Mill, and you’ll be rewarded with a hike through Richmond’s urban wilderness and a reminder of our city’s craftsmanship, grit, and longtime draw to the river’s edge. Foushee Mill was painted by artist Steve Hedberg, an artist known for his adventures along the James River, for the True Places series. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Friends of the James River Park, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Park staff to promote, conserve and support the Park.
Learn about each local artist, snag all four limited prints at a discounted gift set rate, place an order that's guaranteed to arrive just in time for the holidays, and keep up with future plans as True Places RVA grows. As an ongoing art experiment, True Places belongs to the community and will evolve with it!
