vol. 217 / paradise

vol. 217 / PARADISE

VOL. 217 / PARADISE

Meet Chrystal Neal, this week’s guest editor for Here. Chrystal is an avid community and arts supporter. A few years back, Chrystal broke away from an international finance law practice to create a career that ignited her passion and pushed her limits. She stepped into the kaleidoscope of RVA’s creative scene – connecting people and ideas – to nationally brand the region as a creative, innovative powerhouse, first as executive director of C3, the Creative Change Center, then as innovation and creativity director for ChamberRVA, later becoming the Chamber’s Executive Vice President leading the region’s workforce strategy. Today Chrystal serves as Vice President, Internal Communications & Employer Branding at CoStar Group in its downtown Richmond office.

In her spare time, Chrystal and her husband, Daniel Salomonsky, enjoy trying every new restaurant in town, while loyally supporting their many longtime favorites. They are also big fans of local arts and creativity, having recently opened a co-working space for artists in Shockoe Bottom, 17th Street Studios.

Take it away, Chrystal...

A Painter's Paradise Co-working Space

17th Street Studios opened to fill a niche in RVA’s creative ecosystem - a beautiful space to paint and create community with other artists. If you are tired of getting paint on your bedroom sheets or kitchen floor, maybe it’s time to rent access to a collaborative space with plenty of room to create. Designed by New York-based artist, Sarah Salo, a Richmond native, 17th Street Studios opened on April 15. Read more: A Painter's Paradise by RVA Magazine.

Vitals:

17th Street Studios / 14 S. 17th St. Learn More.

Photo credit: Kimberly Frost

Sculpting History at The Valentine Studio

As a Richmond native, it makes me proud that our very own museum, The Valentine, originally devoted to telling the history of Richmond, was courageous enough to open the inspiring exhibit, “Sculpting History at the Valentine Studio: Art, Power, and the ‘Lost Cause’ American Myth,” using evidence to show how leaders in Richmond, and others around the country, reframed the reality of the Civil War. Check out this exhibit and multiple intellectually stimulating events at The Valentine.

Vitals:

The Valentine Studio / Museum Garden, 1015 E. Clay St. / Hours & Admission

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

I recently volunteered with Historic Garden Week as a host in a beautiful garden in Westover Hills. We are halfway through the gorgeous week showcasing the most beautiful gardens across Virginia, but it is not too late for you and your friends and family to enjoy! Buy tickets here.

Vitals:

Historic Garden Week / April 20 - 27th, across Virginia / Tickets & Tour Routes here

More From Chrystal.

I love being a native Richmonder. I have had the good fortune to live in several other large cities in the U.S., and those experiences taught me, among other things, how absolutely unique Richmond is. Our thriving artistic community is second to none. Our food scene is amazing, and Daniel and I have so much fun supporting local restaurants.

You would not necessarily know from our beautiful historic architecture how avant garde our thinking can be here. Our complicated history weaves a good, bad and ugly story with so much opportunity to learn and become better. For me, engaging in community building and conversation is a step in that direction.

I love to read, travel, garden and swim. And did I mention, dine in local restaurants?

Learn More about 17th St. Studios

Richmondclaire prendergastApril 26, 2024meet, see, go