Artsline: Virtual Edition || January 18, 2021
“The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of hate. History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued that self-defeating path of hate. Love is the key to the solution of the problems of the world.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Art reacts to the world and enacts a new vision. Stories pour out our feelings, our hopes, our truths. History reminds us of our triumphs and our failures. And culture records it all in dance, song, and ritual. Art - visual and performing - speaks to us, offering a dialogue with our fear and our uncertainty. It beckons us to a deeper understanding and broader appreciation of our humanity. This week, our arts and culture community offers ways to engage and connect in a time of division.
1. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATION CEREMONY
History
January 18, 9am
Online
Richmond Recreation and Parks invites all to the annual commemoration ceremony for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Watch on Facebook Live.
2. IF YOU COULD SEE ME: SHOWING-UP
Theatre, Literary Art, Music
January 22, 7:30pm
Online
$10
The If You Could See Me Project is a storytelling initiative designed to change perceptions of mental health and related issues. We facilitate the development of new personal narratives that make meaning of pain and transform trauma into resilience. Join them for an evening of live music, storytelling and discussion via Zoom. Hosted by Erin Mahone and featuring stories by Kim Johnson, Savannah Hatcher, Erica Nichols, Omri Reid, Donna Joyce. Purchase tickets online.
3. SONGS OF LOVE AND LONGING
Music
January 23, 2pm
Online
The Richmond Public Library presents their Gellman Room Concert: Songs of Love and Longing--an afternoon of art songs and arias, from composers such as Schumann, Handel and Butterworth featuring tenor Christopher Ahart, and Robert Gallagher on piano. Register online for this free event.
4. THE HEART IS A DROWNING OBJECT
Literary Art, Visual Art
January 22, 5pm
Online
Join Katherine Vaz, Isabel Pavão, and Katherine McNamara for a discussion with Molly Schwartzburg about their multimedia e-book, The Heart Is a Drowning Object - a collaboration in poems and paintings. These artists have found inspiration in a female solitude that living through grief might bring. Register online for this free event. Presented by Virginia Center for the Book.
5. LEISURE CLUB VIRTUAL TOUR OF HISTORIC CEMETERIES
History
January 19, 11am
Online
Kathy Whittington leads a virtual tour of Evergreen Cemetery and East End Cemetery - once the premier burying grounds for elite African Americans in the Richmond community. Hear the inspiring stories of the men and women who rose from poverty and enslavement, and surmounted the obstacles of segregation, discrimination, and disfranchisement, to become doctors, lawyers, educators, architects, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Witness the ongoing restoration efforts of the grounds and enjoy unique African American artworks. No registration required, offered on Facebook Live. Presented by Reveille United Methodist Church.
6. MOVIE MYTHBUSTING: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Film, History
January 19, 7pm
Online
Join the Virginia Museum of History and Culture as their education team “mythbust” the fan-favorite movie, Night at the Museum. Watch the film in advance, whenever or however works best for you, and then log into an interactive Zoom presentation where we will chat about what’s true, what’s not, and make some interesting connections to their collection. Registration required for this free program.
7. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Architecture, History
January 22, 5:30 pm & January 23, 4pm
Art Works, 320 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224
It’s Art Work’s 18th year of the annual Simply Photography exhibit. Over the years this photography exhibit has been so popular that they’ve expanded it to include all available galleries. Also exhibiting this month are Xexilia O. Shadows and the Camera Club of Richmond. Join them to meet the artists at the opening receptions with music and door prizes. Parking free. The exhibits continue through February 20, 2021. This event is free and open to the public but you must register to attend.
8. VIRTUAL FAMILY STORYTIME
Literary Art
Tuesdays, 10:30am
Online
Join Powhatan County Library’s Ms. Caroline for their Virtual Family Storytime on Facebook Live! You and your little one will hear for songs, rhymes and stories in this interactive program.
9. DIGGING UP THE PAST AT CHARLESTON’S CHANCOGNIE HOUSE
History
January 21, 6pm
Online
Join The Wilton House Museum for their annual lecture series. This virtual presentation will feature Juliana Falk, "The Accidental Preservationist" of the Simon Jude Chancognie House. A move south to escape winter weather became an unexpected journey in preservation ranging from paint research with Dr. Susan L. Buck to digging a giant hole in the backyard (fortunately, professional archaeologists were involved). You must register to participate in this online event.
10. TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF ENGLISH ART, 1700-1900
Visual Art
January 21, 12pm
Online
Explore English works of art in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' permanent collection. Dr. Colleen Yarger, VMFA's Assistant Curator for European Art and the Mellon Collections leads you through the collection. Presented by the Chesterfield County Library. You must register to participate in this online event.
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.
