Meet Jen Maddux, this week's guest editor (pronouns she/her)! Jen kicked off her journey in the arts with a degree in Music Education/Voice from Shenandoah University and graduate studies in Educational Leadership at VCU. She started her career as a middle school chorus teacher, tech guru, and even donned the hat of a school administrator in Henrico County Public Schools. The National School Boards Association dubbed her a “20 to Watch” educator during her admin days! Fast forward to 2018, she decided to switch gears and dive into the nonprofit scene. Now, she's the Director of Education and Community Engagement at Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA), where she's the brains and heart behind all BrightLights Education Initiatives, from orchestrating Greater Richmond Wolf Trap to lighting up the stage with the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series and RPAA Night on Broadway. In fact, Jen was nicknamed, “The Lights Up! Lady” by the kids who attend her education events And it might be her favorite nickname ever!
Oh, and she was part of the most recent class of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond! Jen's all about making waves in the world of education and the arts, and we're stoked to have her steering the ship as our guest editor this week. In her downtime, you can catch Jen enjoying a good dance party, diving into the Richmond arts scene and probably humming a tune or two at the grocery store (the Publix playlist is her favorite)!
Take it away, Jen...
RPAA Night on Broadway
RPAA Night on Broadway is a new partnership with Broadway in Richmond this season! For each production, RPAA is sponsoring a limited number of tickets available to individuals from designated communities. Attendees have access to a pre-show event complementing the show’s theme. So far this year, we have hosted a resource fair and a chat-back with members of the cast and crew! Ticket request forms go live on our website a month prior to each event. In fact, the form to request tickets for ANNIE is live now!
Vitals:
RPAA Night on Broadway / Free tickets throughout the 2023-24 Season of Broadway in Richmond / Altria Theater: 6 N. Laurel St.
#ArtsHuntRVA
During the pandemic, RPAA developed #ArtsHuntRVA as a way for the community to continue engaging with arts organizations safely. Now that experience is streamlined in our new RPAA app! #ArtsHuntRVA is an interactive experience that invites users to embark on a virtual scavenger hunt of over 40 organizations throughout the region. Unlock exclusive video content curated just for you and discover secret locations to win prizes! The RPAA app is available now through Google Play and the iOS App Store.
The Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series offers youth ages 3-18 the opportunity to participate in workshops and performances by local arts groups. Lights Up! hits the road each year to visit community centers and schools across the region. The series is held every other month on a Saturday morning and is FREE to attend! The next event is in January at Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education followed by Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center in March. Grab your kids and join the fun!
Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA) advances the performing arts in the Richmond region through programs and resources that SUPPORT the artists of today, NURTURE the artists of tomorrow, and provide spaces for the arts to THRIVE. Its family of venues include Altria Theatre and Dominion Energy Center, home to the historic Carpenter Theatre, Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse, Bob & Sally Mooney Hall, and the Genworth BrightLights Education Center. RPAA’s BrightLights Education Initiatives provide accessible arts education to youth in the public school system, at community centers, and in the venues.
Meet Michelle Mercurio, our guest editor this week! Michelle is passionate about helping people be more of who they really are and less of who the world conditions them to be. She helps her clients evolve their identities so they can create aligned and successful businesses and lives. She is also the Host of CreativeMornings/Richmond, a monthly free breakfast lecture series highlighting local creatives and fostering community, that takes place on the third Friday of every month. She loves spending time in the community working on social justice and creative causes, evolving her boxing and fitness pursuits, and connecting with her family and friends in Church Hill and around Richmond.
Take it away, Michelle...
CreativeMornings/Richmond
Everyone is creative, and everyone is welcome! Yes, especially YOU! CreativeMornings/Richmond is a monthly free breakfast lecture series highlighting local creatives and fostering community. This month we are celebrating our 8th birthday on Friday morning, November 17th at the Brandcenter! Come find your “Rhythm” with us – that’s the theme this month – and hear Rachel Everett’s take on how she harnesses the power of creativity to do good work and to do good in the world.
Vitals:
CreativeMornings/Richmond / Friday, November 17th, 8:30 AM / Brandcenter: 103 S Jefferson St. Richmond, VA
Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Night Out in Wonderland Gala
Come have a creative night out for a great cause! Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Central and Eastern Virginia is the oldest one-on-one mentoring agency in Virginia, and mentorship makes a difference. Last year, BBBS served 282 youth in our community with mentor matches that increased academic achievements, fostered connectivity while reducing risky behaviors, and improved socio-emotional competencies for kids in our region. Join the Big Night Out Gala to raise money and awareness to support local youth and make a big impact in a child’s life.
Check out the incredible community work of our sponsored partner, The Read Center.
Craft + Design Show
Some of my favorite local artists, as well as national ones, can be discovered this month at the Craft + Design Show produced by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Held in the historic Main Street Station’s train shed and drawing more than 10,000 people to shop the work of over 150 artists from all over the country, Craft + Design is the unofficial kickoff event for holiday art shopping here locally. (Insider tip: Attendees of this month’s CreativeMornings/Richmond *may* be getting a surprise from VisArts related to this show)!
Vitals:
Craft + Design Show / November 17 - 19th / Main Street Station: 1500 E Main St, Richmond, VA
More about Michelle...
In her words, "The longest relationship we’ll have in this lifetime is the one we have with ourselves, and it impacts our day-to-day work, our relationships, and humanity as a whole. And while I know that undoing our own conditioning is the most important work we'll do, I also know that we can't do it alone if we want to make societal progress."
Whether it’s with brand and marketing storytelling work, or through one of her mindfully focused retreats, Michelle helps humans gain clarity to understand themselves and amplify the words and strategy to voice their visions to make the impact their work deserves.
Find details about her brand & business work at michellemercurio.com and connect directly with Michelle on IG @michmerc.
Meet this week's guest editor, Ron Stokes, a true creative with a story that weaves through the tapestry of various cities. Born in the heart of Washington, D.C., he moved to the sunny Bay Area of California during his formative years. For the past decade, he's called Richmond, Virginia, his home.
What sets Ron apart is his remarkable journey as a self-taught street artist who has blended his unique vision with abstract art. He's not just a painter; he's a storyteller of colors and patterns. With every brushstroke, he channels his emotions, thoughts, and the sparks of inspiration in the moment, transcending the need for words. He's left his mark on both grand cityscapes and intimate corners, all while giving back to charities and foundations. To Ron, his art is a bridge connecting the urban landscape to the world of creativity.
Now, Ron is here to share his passion projects and the hidden gems of Richmond that have captured his heart.
Take it away, Ron...
Race in Richmond
Race in Richmond is a compelling interactive exhibit that delves into race and identity through the power of photography, videography, art, and storytelling. Our exhibit offers a fresh perspective on Richmond, shedding light on the intersections of racial, ethnic, sexual, and generational identities, which shape our individual and collective experiences.
Our aim is to foster awareness, ignite meaningful dialogue, and promote understanding as we strive for a community defined by love and inclusivity.
Presented by Ron Stokes in collaboration with Ashley Williams of The Well Collective and Saira Rao of Race2Dinner, this captivating exhibit opens its doors to the public on Friday, November 3rd, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at The Well Collective. Join us on this transformative journey.
Urban Hang Suite (UHS) is one of Richmond’s ultimate coffee havens, lovingly owned by the inimitable Kelli Lemon. This is more than just a coffee shop; it's a hub for the best local brews, teas, and culinary delights.
Step inside and savor the rich flavors while making connections with fellow professionals, both fresh faces and seasoned experts. The Urban Hang Suite stands tall as a community cornerstone, pulsating with creativity and culture. Kelli proudly showcases local artists every other month, curated by The Art Seen.
Urban Hang Suite is a pillar in the community, intentional about creating a space for minority artists in a city where spaces for minority art is limited. Join us, revel in the flavors, embrace the creativity, and be part of the mission to celebrate the vibrant and diverse voices of our community.
Vitals:
Urban Hang Suite / 304 E Broad St. Richmond, Virginia 23219 / Open Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
We're proud to debut our newest sponsored partner, The Read Center...
THE ART SEEN
The Art Seen is your passport to a world of creative experiences in both traditional and non-traditional settings. From art walks to pop-up exhibits, live paintings, and more, we offer a diverse array of events throughout the year. Our primary focus is to spotlight the talents of minority artists in the Richmond community.
As an established minority artist myself, The Art Seen was born out of a personal struggle to find spaces to showcase my own art. I created The Art Seen to address this challenge, to offer a platform for fellow minority artists to share their truths and stories. Additionally, we provide a residency program for emerging artists, offering a unique opportunity to learn and grow alongside established artists, culminating in the chance to showcase their work at various Art Seen events throughout the city.
Go
