Meet this week’s guest editor, Paris Sutherlin! You can find Paris regularly pushing the community forward through her work as a storyteller, creative consultant, and content creator focused on celebrating our home and beyond. Paris is also the owner of a local, small business called Gifted & Grateful and she takes pride in empowering others to pursue their passions, especially other Black female entrepreneurs. When she’s not making an impact in the River City, Paris works as a flight attendant where she enjoys exploring different parts of the world and immersing herself in other cultures. As someone who travels frequently for work, she has learned to think beyond the traditional corporate environment and carve out her own unique career path. Despite her globe hopping, Paris always remains rooted in her local community of Richmond where she finds her biggest inspiration.
Take it away, Paris …
Kula Voncille's Hip-Hop Cabaret at VMFA
As a Richmond native, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has been a staple in so many creative and cultural memories of my childhood. I have a new found appreciation for all that the VMFA offers to foster connection to the community and the arts. This month will be the culmination of Dawoud Bey: Elegy, an exhibit focused in part on the history of the Virginia Slave Trail. Beyond the gallery walls and visiting hours, the VMFA hosts After 5 Fridays. Today, February 16th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Cochrane Atrium you can catch Hip-Hop Cabaret with sounds of 90s fusion by Kula Voncille. Her humor and energy makes this an event to catch!
Race in Richmond is an art exhibit that explores the complex conversation surrounding racism, identity, and perception. Each piece of this interactive display of art sheds light on the reality of race and its role in the city of Richmond. The next phase of Race in Richmond will be showcased in the Gallery at Main Street Station from Friday, February 16th to March 11th, with an opening reception on February 20th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. This exhibit promises to take you on a journey through photography, videography, and storytelling. Race in Richmond not only aims to be an interactive exhibit, but also the continuation of a conversation that raises awareness and calls for change.
Plant lovers and aspiring plant parents alike are invited to join Shades of Moss Record and Plant Shop as they collaborate with Richmond’s own Hatch Local for Plant Parenting 101. On Wednesday, February 21st at 5:30 pm in Manchester at Hatch Local, learn the basics of indoor plant parenting and connect with plant lovers in the community. Shades of Moss brings an indie vibe to the RVA plant scene, as they have created a space that offers a curated vinyl collection just as unique as their plant selection.
Paris is driven by the power of human connection. The ability to bring people together through poignant and moving experiences is what motivates her. As a creative, Paris uses visual storytelling as one of her methods to connect with others. Her hope is to inspire and create experiences that are accessible and intentional for her community. When Paris is not creating visuals, she is giving back to Richmond in a different way. In 2020, she started Gifted and Grateful, a custom-curated gifting service. This passion project was born during the pandemic as a means to connect people with their loved ones, especially as we found ourselves separated by far more than six feet. Gifted and Grateful continues to serve Greater Richmond as a one-stop shop for both corporate and personal gifting needs.
