Meet this week's guest editor, Nancy Brown. She's here to provide a handful of tips for the perfect fall day in Richmond -- involving books, coffee, and open spaces. Nancy is the co-founder and chief marketing officer of Bookclubz, a web and app for book club management. Nancy believes in the power of narrative. Both in the non-profit and startup space, her career has focused on content across mediums and continents. Whether it is crafting a brand, growing an audience or building partnerships, storytelling and finding shared value is behind everything she does. Take it away, Nancy ...
Read Outside
at VMFA
Pack your favorite book and head to the VMFA. This is one of my favorite green spaces in Richmond to relax and unwind after work or on the weekends. The beautiful campus, including the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden, was made for creativity, contemplation, and community. The coffee is A+ and the Rumors of War statue by Kehinde Wiley is stunning and inspiring. After taking in the natural surroundings, step inside where the VMFA is currently offering the Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities exhibit on view through January 18, 2021 (free to all healthcare workers and first responders). For a deeper dive into Sunken Cities, VMFA is currently hosting a free series of virtual talks (the next one is this Sunday) by noted Egyptologists, curators, professors, archaeologists, and conservators.
One of my favorite parks in Richmond is Chimborazo, a 30-acre park with 180 degree views of the city, in Church Hill. You have an incredible view of Downtown Richmond and the historic houses that line the park and neighborhood are so charming. It's also home to a miniature Statue of Liberty, the popular Church Hill Dog Park, and a community garden! Chimborazo Park is one of my go-to spots for hosting a socially distanced book club!
Bookstores and coffee shops - the most important fuel for the avid reader! Local stores and shops are working hard to support the community amid Covid and I definitely recommend returning the support by purchasing books locally from Chop Suey Books and Fountain Bookstore (offering curbside pickup, private browsing, and virtual events). And for your caffeine fix, order a cup of coffee online from Lamplighter for pickup and let them know Richmond loves its local coffee shops. Save time to swing by Whisk in Shockoe Bottom (they just celebrated their fifth anniversary this week) for Parisian-style pastries and locally roasted coffee. You can also stay in your PJs and take a virtual class offered by Whisk to learn to make your own fall macarons and croissants (watch their Facebook page for upcoming classes and event registration here).
Nancy and the Bookclubz team believe in the power of book clubs to enhance the reading experience, support lifelong learning, and build community. Their website and app support online book clubs, virtual book clubs, in person book clubs, clubs that gather to learn, to stay in touch, to read more, to relax and have fun, to improve work culture, for self-improvement, for social change, and more.
Meet our guest editor, Keith Ramsey of Ramsey Art Works. Keith is a Richmond based contemporary and conceptual artist, designer, and sculptor. He’s known for his found object artwork and his commitment to initiating conversation through his art that serves as commentary on politics, society, social conditions, isolation, and more. He’s also the co-founder of Bike Monday Bros, a series of group rides that promote unity and inclusion. Keith recently wrapped up a sculpture called "Edwards the Fisherman" (pictured) that is part of a downtown scavenger hunt as Richmonders try to determine the exact location of RVA's newest piece of public art. Take it away, Keith ...
On June 30, 2016, my world changed. It was my last day employed as a professional graphic designer...and it wasn't by choice. But, I did realize the universe had a plan for me as an artist. After spending the weekends, putting in time after hours, and using every minute to hone my creativity, that change had finally arrived. From that day forward I built my life around being a full-time professional artist on my own terms and I never looked back. Here are my tips for finding inspiration and being prepared for opportunities in this city we love to call home.
That COVID
Thing for VCU
My first piece of advice is to always say "yes" when you're called upon to help. Look for ways to roll up your sleeves and make an impact with the unique skills you can offer. Back in March, as an example, I was contacted out of the blue from someone needing a welder to help put together 12+ racks for VCU Health that would be used to sterilize medical supplies in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. There were projects already in the workshop, but before he could get halfway through asking if I could help it was already a hard "YES" from me. It was more welding in a short amount of time than I had ever done, but after a week of straight 9-hour days we got the racks out the door! The thing about that is, I was proud to be able to do something...anything, to help with the crisis our nation and the world is facing. It was a small part by comparison to what others are doing and sacrificing, but it was what I personally could do with the resources I had. When called upon, offer your creativity, find ways to help and be ready to say "yes" when asked.
A few years ago I joined a ride with friends participating in Bike Walk RVA for Bike Month and was immediately hooked. Saying yes to that initial ride led to more gatherings, and before I knew it we were pedaling around the city every Monday. With each ride more and more friends joined our route each week. After the protest of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and more African-Americans at the hands of police and vigilante citizens, we decided to bring our biking community together with a “Unity Ride for Black Lives" involving over 250 people riding through downtown and the Fan District. Today, we're still getting together on Mondays to ride and we always invite the community to ride along with us. Now called Bike Monday Bros, our series of rides are designed for riders to meet new people and to enjoy our local bike culture for an evening. Check out Bike Monday Bros on Instagram and come ride with us!
We all need a place to hang, share ideas, and find inspiration. Due to COVID, it's hard to find this kind of place like we used to. But with Crossroads open again (at limited capacity) this month, there's finally an option for the community to gather at a favorite local coffee shop. While I spend most of my time in my workshop in the Valley Manufacturing Building in the Northside working on commissions or personal projects, I always save time for a trip to Crossroads on the Southside for lively conversation, good food and coffee, and a creativity boost. Loyal fans love this place so much that when Crossroads was closed for months its regulars organized a GoFundMe campaign to support its reopening. We all chipped in and like many, I made donations when possible, used my social media to bring awareness, and offered creative ideas to help when asked. Go check out this classic coffee shop, and other favorite local coffee shops around town, to let them know we're glad they're open.
Hidden somewhere in downtown Richmond is "Edwards the Fisherman," a towering new installation made from found objects by Keith Ramsey. Inspired by African-American contemporary artist and sculptor Melvin Edwards, this important piece reminds us that public art and the process through which it is produced should positively impact the community, create a sense of inclusion, and forge connection between citizens and our open spaces.
Sit back, you're in for a treat as Erin Frye takes over the guest editor spot this week. Erin is a local musician, yoga teacher in-training, and the Director of Programs and Outreach with CultureWorks. She is motivated by elevating people and communities. Her travels as a volunteer musician have spanned from Africa to Europe, and across North America. She is an RVA-based singer-songwriter, the founder of Gals for a Cause, and was a Teaching Artist/Performer in SPARC’s inclusive LIVE ART program for six years. She is a recent Honoree in Gallery 5’s Movers and Shakers Exhibit, an Honoree in JMU’s 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Dukes ‘One World’ Program and was inducted into the JMU Alumni: ‘Be The Change’ Hall of Fame.
Let's dig in!
Richmond
Folk Festival
It's the most wonderful time of the year…the Richmond Folk Fest! Usually during Folk Fest weekend you’ll find me on Brown’s Island hopping from tent to tent catching as many musical performances as possible ALL weekend long. This year will be different, as the Fest returns for its 16th year in a new, virtual format with just as much HEART as ever; continuing to celebrate the roots, richness and variety of American culture. There are three ways to dig in: through a special television program (Sat & Sun), radio broadcasts and online streaming (all weekend long). Our friends from Spacebomb Studios, Butcher Brown, Jared Pool (and many more!) will present new musical performances that are exclusive to this festival! I’ll “see” you all there folkin’ around. And make sure to check out this year's Folk Festival poster by the talented Shannon Wright (pictured) and available for purchase at Plan 9 Music.
Vitals:
October 9 to October 11 / Full schedule at richmondfolkfestival.org / Tag #rvafolkfest to share your experiences
Together
Apart
Kevin Orlosky of Art on Wheels has created “Together Apart,” a socially-distanced participatory, interactive, and immersive art installation on Brown’s Island. The installation commemorates the things we have lost because of COVID-19; it will be a labyrinth of rocks that will form a 100 x 70ft hand. To participate, paint a rock representing something you miss as a result of the pandemic and place it in the sculpture. I look forward to adding my rock to the collection and experiencing this opportunity to see our community come together to create, release and begin to heal.
Vitals:
On display until October 15 / Together Apart / Images of Together Apart progress shared on Kevin Orlosky’s Facebook and Instagram feeds
Love Letters
to America
Richmond-based artist Jordan Shanks will reveal his photo collection “Love Letters to America: Part II,” and his second film “Never Again” from 6-9 pm on Friday, October 16 at the Richmond Art Garage. The photography and film document social justice movements of recent years, and follows the call to remove confederate statues in the former capital of the confederacy. The exhibit runs from Oct. 16 - Nov. 1, 2020. There will be an artist talk at 2 pm on Saturday, Oct. 17 between Jordan Shanks and Heidi Abbott, whose works will also be on display in the gallery moderated by award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author, Kristen Green. There will also be a virtual component to the event, and safety & social distancing guidelines will be followed as the gallery will be operated at a limited capacity during your visit.
Happening now, artoberVA promotes events, pop-ups, exhibits, science, history, collaborations, and any arts or culture experience happening in the Richmond & Tri-Cities area every October. Presented by CultureWorks, artoberVA increases participation in arts and culture events and expands the exposure of organizations, venues, and artists shaping our vibrant and creative scene.
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