The Arts in RVA

I love the design community in Richmond and lately there's an abundance of local activities related to the arts, architecture and design. Often these events are advertised within the design professions and don't quite reach the public. Others, like First Fridays, are very well-attended. Here are a few activities going on this week and next that provide access to priceless art and ideas without costing you much at all.

1. Virginia Center for Architecture

The VCA is located on Monument Ave in the Tudor Revival mansion, designed by John Russell Pope, at the intersection with Davis Ave. It's difficult to miss the "castle" even if it is behind a brick wall. There are inexpensive exhibitions and educational programs year-round and tonight is the opening reception for Glass Ceilings: Highlights from the International Archive of Women in Architecture.

The exhibit is part of the statewide initiative celebrating women in the arts; the Virginia Center for Architecture explores the contributions of women to architecture and design. Discover the work of pioneering women including Lilia Skala, Nobuko Nakahara, Lois Gottlieb and Beverly Willis. Examine artifacts from the IAWA collection and see an exhibit developed by students in Virginia Tech’s Researching Women in Architecture seminar highlighting historic moments in architectural history.

Tonight's reception is from 5:30 - 7:30 pm and cost is $5 for non-VCA members. The exhibit runs though June 6, 2010.

2. First Fridays Art Walk

Richmond's Art Walk includes galleries all along W Broad St and the surrounding intersecting streets. Free and open to the public, the Art Walk includes performances by street buskers, light installations, painting, sculpture, fashion and much more. If you're not sure which galleries to check out first, I'd recommend Gallery5 and Quirk. Mark your calendars - tomorrow is March 5 and it's the First Friday of March!

3. Modern Richmond

Directly from their website:

"Modern Richmond is committed to the concept of understanding and appreciating modernism in all of its forms. We believe that Richmond has the resources and the potential to be a significant platform for modern projects. Our hope and mission is to promote and explore these original expressions of modern aesthetics in a way that both engages and delivers modernism to a larger audience."

Check out this group to see examples of modern architecture and design in Richmond. Mingle with others that share the same interest! Tours occur regularly and are either free or inexpensive. The next tour occurs Tuesday March 9, the Kjerulf House at 1601 Grove Ave. See their Facebook page for additional details.

From Tudor Revival to Modern, street performers in masks to still life paintings, there's enough happening this week and next to appeal to everyone. Enjoy!

Emily Smith