Artsline: Virtual Edition || November 9, 2020
“On even the most stressful days, magic is still sitting quietly in the corner, waiting to be noticed.” ~Dr. SunWolf
It’s been a week. And a year. And there’s always more stress waiting ‘round the corner.
So take a moment to rediscover the magic all around you. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a walk in one of our many parks. Or you can find new connections in book clubs and workshops. Or maybe you can be transported through a live, online or socially-distanced performance.
Whatever you do, don’t let the stress get you down. Get into some local flavor to find your way through these tense times.
1. ARTISANS STUDIO TOUR
Visual Art
November 14 & 15
Online
The 26th year of the Artisans Studio Tour brings the work of 37 artisans right to you as they go fully virtual with video, stories and work available online.
2. GELLMAN ROOM CONCERT: AN AFTERNOON OF ROMANTIC GERMAN LIEDER AND OPERA
Music
November 14, 2pm
Online
The main branch of the Richmond Public Library offers a performance of "An die ferne Geliebte," Beethoven's only true song cycle, Wagner's "Wesendonck Lieder," and two songs from "Die Walkure" and "Siegfried," featuring tenor James Taylor and pianist Charles Staples. Go to the RPL YouTube channel to view online.
3. THE FAMILY STORY WORKBOOK LAUNCH
Literary Art
November 12, 6pm
Online
Have you ever wanted to write down the story of your family but never known where to start? Work on a shared project between family members? Create a unique gift idea for a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle who you know has a powerful life story to tell? This workbook is designed for all of these reasons, and more.
The Fountain Bookstore hosts the launch of Kris Spisak’s book, The Family Story Workbook. She will be joined by notable local storytellers. You must REGISTER to participate.
4. REYNOLDS GALLERY PRESENTS RICHARD ROTH’S HELL GATE, MATT PHILLIPS’ CLOSER TO SONG, & SYLVIO LYNCH III’S DRAWN DISCOVERY
Visual Art
Reception: November 13, all day
Exhibits: November 13 - December 23
The Reynolds Gallery, 1514 West Main Street, Richmond, 23220
Reynolds Gallery is pleased to announce three exhibits from Richard Roth, Matt Phillips, and Sylvio Lynch III. Roth’s newest body of work in Hell Gate features an array of “box paintings” as well as a new series of 38 x 30 inch paintings on panel. Matt Phillips presents a series of pigment and silica paintings on linen with his Closer to Song. Drawn Discovery exhibits works by artist Sylvio Lynch III, the 2020 recipient of the gallery’s Launch Project initiative.
5. WHEN WOLLASTON CAME TO WILTON: PAINTING PORTRAITS IN COLONIAL VIRGINIA
History, Visual Art
November 12, 6pm
Online
Suggested donation: $10
In 1755, traveling artist John Wollaston arrived in Virginia where he painted some of the most prominent families in the colony. One of the plantation homes he visited was the newly constructed Wilton, where he painted a group of portraits for William Randolph III. Using the Randolph family collection as a case study, this lecture will discuss the business of portrait painting in colonial Virginia and how to use Colonial Virginia Portraits (colonialvirginiaportraits.org) as a research tool.
Join Wilton House Museum for this conversation as a part of their annual lecture series. It features Janine Boldt, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow at the American Philosophical Society. You must REGISTER to participate.
6. FACULTY LECTURE SERIES: ELIZABETH BYLAND, THE POWER OF IMPROV
Theatre
November 10, 5:30pm
Online
VCUarts, in partnership with the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, provides improv-based, experiential learning opportunities for healthcare practitioners and learners.
In this session, Elizabeth Byland, Director of Applied Health Improv, associate professor, Department of Theatre and panelists Dr. Alan Dow, Assistant Vice President of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cindee Rolston, Director of Inpatient Rehabilitation Psychology, will share a few key improv principles that demonstrate the power of improv as a teaching strategy to promote acceptance, trust, teamwork, and leadership in healthcare professionals and beyond. You must REGISTER to participate.
7. INLIGHT
Visual Arts
November 12-15
Inlight MAP
1708 Gallery’s 13th annual InLight, a public exhibition of contemporary light-based artworks, will take place at sites across Richmond and will address the paired themes of “Safety and Accountability.”
Featured artists: Afrikana Independent Film Festival; Amy Smith; The Anderson; Barry O’Keefe; Caitlin & Misha; Calvin Brown; Carl Patow; Black Matter Podcast; Dustin Klein, Alex Criqui, Miguel Carter-Fisher, & Josh Zarambo; LaRissa Rogers; Mariana Parisca & Sandy Williams IV; MK Abadoo & Christine Wyatt; muthi reed & Sage Crump; New Negress Film Society; Performing Statistics; Stephanie J. Woods; Victor Haskins & ImproviStory.
8. METAMORPHOSEN
Music, History, Culture
November 13 & 14, 7pm
Online and at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, 23219
Tickets $10-$82
The Richmond Symphony’s Music Director Valentina Peleggi conducts this program, reimagined to lead the listener reflectively into the holiday season. Program includes works by Strauss, Wagner, and Schubert. Friday’s concert is a condensed performance with no intermission. See their website for information regarding our COVID-19 health & safety procedures. Purchase TICKETS online.
9. BLUE SKY PUPPETS
Puppetry
November 14, 2pm
Online
Chesterfield County Public Library presents a live show of "The Three Not So Little Pigs" with the popular troupe, Blue Sky Puppets. Please check their events calendar for information on how to view this program.
10. READ UP, RICHMOND: JAMES MCBRIDE WITH KIKI PETROSINO
Literary Art
November 9, 7pm
Online
“Read Up, Richmond” challenges people to read differently, to read outside one’s own lived experience to develop an understanding of the world. This program is an opportunity for people from different walks of life to come together in the library to learn together, to enter into a conversation with the larger community, to share the same space, making Richmond a more connected, more civil place. This program is presented by the Richmond Public Library. You must REGISTER to participate.
James McBride is an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter. His landmark memoir, The Color of Water, published in 1996, has sold millions of copies and spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list. His 2013 novel, The Good Lord Bird, about American abolitionist John Brown, won the National Book Award for Fiction and will be a Showtime limited series in fall 2020 starring Ethan Hawke. Kiki Petrosino is the author of four books of poetry: White Blood: a Lyric of Virginia, Witch Wife, Hymn for the Black Terrific, and Fort Red Border, all from Sarabande Books. Her poems and essays have appeared in Poetry, Best American Poetry, The Nation, The New York Times, FENCE, Gulf Coast, Jubilat, Tin House and on-line at Ploughshares.
11. THE BRANCH HOUSE RESTORATION FOR THE SECOND CENTURY: PLASTER
Architectural Arts, History
November 11, 6:30pm
Online
The Branch House decorative plaster is some of the most beautiful plasterwork in Virginia. Unfortunately, the century since the House was built and water intrusion have caused significant damage. This webinar will show up-close views of the beautiful plaster figures and decorations, including the toll that time has taken on the plaster, and will discuss the history of plasterwork in the early 20th century, particularly in Richmond, as well as learn from a dedicated craftsman how this work is being saved at the Branch. The challenges of restoration are best shown in the work to save our decorative plaster. REGISTER for this event.
12. VIRTUAL LITERARY VIRGINIA BOOK GROUP
Literary Art
November 11, 6pm
Online
Read and discuss the best of today's Virginia literature—books by Library of Virginia Literary Award winners and finalists in fiction and nonfiction. This month, we'll discuss Slay Like a Mother by Katherine Wintsch (a 2020 People’s Choice Nonfiction finalist). In December we'll discuss The Substitution Order by Martin Clark. Use this LINK to find the online discussion.
If you are an arts or cultural organization with social-distance-safe events such as online classes, virtual exhibitions or concerts, or even book readings, submit your events to Artsline here. If you are an artist or an arts or cultural organization in need of resources and tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, check out the list of local and national resources from Richmond CultureWorks.
