Meet this week's guest editor, Keith Ramsey, known professionally as RAMSEY. Keith is a well known local artist who engages in a diverse range of artistic explorations around the River City. His passion is designing and developing functional art for daily use. You can find Keith refurbishing existing metal items such as railings, gates, and furniture from the FOUNDPUNK studio where he creates his sculptures that draw inspiration from renowned artists like Melvin Edwards, Martin Puryear, and Augusta Savage. His designs emphasize the interaction of objects within a piece, utilizing negative space to enhance the composition. He says that his exploration of equilibrium and instability is intended to evoke a sense of motion. When Keith isn't creating art, you can find him serving as the lead rider of BIKE MONDAY BROS, a cycling group that he co-founded to inspire shared exploration of this place we all love to call home. Oh, and he's a proud “cat dad” of nine (yes, nine) amazing cats!
Take it away, Keith...
A Conversation on Racial Healing with RVA Leaders
This Saturday, head over to River Road Church for "A Conversation on Racial Healing" featuring Rev. Dr. Lance Watson of Saint Paul's Baptist Church; Rev. Ben Campbell of St. Paul's Episcopal Church; and Kristen Green, celebrated author of The Devil's Half Acre. Rev. Campbell, in addition to his pastoral role, is a passionate civil rights activist, the author of Richmond's Unhealed History, and founder of Richmond Hill. This open-to-all panel discussion is sure to be powerful!
The Bike Monday Bros weekly bike ride is an all inclusive, no drop, moderately paced bike ride through the neighborhoods of Richmond. The group welcomes new and returning riders looking for connection and an opportunity to stay active while enjoying our home. We'll meet at the Robinson Street Starbucks at 5:30 pm with the ride out at 6 pm (weather permitting). Expect smiles and waves along the way, and maybe a pitstop or two at favorite local establishments. And it's free! Come ride with us.
THANK YOU for celebrating 200 volumes of Here.Weekly with us!
On behalf of our Grid Collective team, thank you to everyone who celebrated 200 volumes of Here.Weekly with us this week. The Common House space was filled with magical, wonderful humans ... friends, partners, guest editors, and more! A highlight of the evening was a powerful poetry reading from Richmond's Poet Laureate, Roscoe Burnems.
Thank you for trusting us to share your stories. E-mail Erin if you'd like to find deeper ways to work together!
Caroline Scruggs: Mini-Concert at The Branch!
Caroline Scruggs is a Branch Museum favorite, a thereminist, a vocalist, and a songwriter from Hampton Roads. Upon “discovering” the theremin five years ago, she became completely enamored with the instrument – the first electronic instrument invented and one of the only ones played without physical touch. Fans say that the ethereal, string-like sound of the theremin feels like a second voice under her hands. Tickets include light hors d’oeuvres and a selection of wines.
Keith Ramsey's objective as an artist is to reach a broad audience seeking new perspectives on found object art for practical and everyday use. Currently, he is working on a sculptural self-portrait expected to be completed in about four months. This is a personal project, aimed at honing his skills for future sculptural projects, commissioned work, and repairs. Ramsey is also developing a new concept called Dirt Poor Art Collector, a project that explores how to make art collecting accessible for the "dirt poor." The goal of this project is to provide a platform for artists to sell low-cost, small, and experimental original works of art to those with limited expendable cash but a deep appreciation for the arts. Ramsey says it's a way in the door for art collection, proving that being wealthy isn't the only way to become an art collector.
