There's no place like here. So let's plot some moves around the River City for the weekend ahead. We've lined up three quick tips to shop local art, to create a shared story together, and to take in the sights at favorite local parks. Get out there and celebrate this place we all love to call home. See you in the city!
Sophie Printmaking
Looking for the perfect RVA gift or something special (and local) to treat yourself? Sophie Smith, aka Sophie Printmaking, is a Richmond based linocut printmaker who is cranking out striking prints these days that depict our hometown at its finest. Many of her images initially started out as photographs that Sophie took herself and then carved into linoleum and printed. In their final iteration they are morphed into two-color screen printed posters. Many of her locations include some of her favorite spots on the river – like the CSX A-Line Bridge, the James River Park Pipeline Walkway next to Pipeline Rapids, and the City of Richmond skyline, just to name a few.
As many Here subscribers know, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic began, our team quietly worked with the James River Park System to hide an old mailbox in a secret spot in the park as part of a journal writing experiment. The vintage mailbox became home to the “Dear Richmond” journal — a special place for the community to connect, to express our shared gratitude, our hopes, and our fears. Since that time, Richmonders have documented their thoughts about being in quarantine, the pandemic, and systemic racism. Others have used the journal as a place to leave words of encouragement for those feeling isolated, suggestions for working toward an inclusive community, and some simply recorded trail observations about their natural surroundings. And for others, the mailbox became a place to discuss loss, being alone, their fight to remain sober, and their search for love. Along the way, the Richmond community has responded with words of encouragement left for complete strangers, entries filled with inspiration, and even gifts. Recently, we teamed up with the James River Park System to find a new home for the community mailbox in the park. Now more centrally located near the park headquarters, the mailbox is again available for the community to find and to define what the journal will become page by page. Your job is to find it.
Have you checked out one of Richmond's newest murals yet? Head to Battery Park in the Northside for a mural celebrating Author Ashe that was painted entirely with tennis balls. The tribute to the legendary tennis star was created by JVY Creations in collaboration with RVA students and Mural MOBB, a creative outlet for teens, for the City of Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. While you're in the area, swing by Hotchkiss Park for another new mural, this one created by All City Art Club for RVA's new outdoor roller skating rink.
Vitals:
Battery Park is located 2803 Dupont Cir. /JVY Creations / Hotchkiss Park is located at 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd. / All City Art Club
Save the Date: 9.22.23
For 50 years, the James River Park System has inspired countless hikers, climbers, paddlers, and lovers of nature. It has also inspired many of the region's artists – especially Friends of the James River Park Board Member, author, and photographer Bill Draper. He's the author of “A Photographic Journey through the James River Park System" and his work has inspired others who have used his images to take pen to paper, and brush to canvas. The upcoming Camera to Canvas event will pair some of our region's best artists with their favorite Bill Draper images to create original works for a charity auction benefitting the James River Park. Richmonders will have the opportunity to bid on individual items, or paired sets of artwork. Make sure to save the date of September 22nd, from 6-9PM at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing for an evening of cocktails, food, music, silent and live auctions, and plenty of beautiful art.
