Artsline: Virtual Edition || May 23, 2022
If we run from the
truth of our existence
we become a lie...
~Terri Guillemets
One of the greatest gifts art offers is truth. It reveals itself in a myriad of ways – sometimes in images, other times in words, also in music and verse and movement and color. It’s one of the distinct aspects of exceptional art – the ability to present truth in ways we can receive it. Truth is not always joyful, often it’s downright painful, but always it is a vital reflection of who we are versus how we see ourselves. This week, we have lots of ways to see ourselves reflected in our community via journalism, environment, story, and image. Check out all that RVA has to offer below!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. THE ROLE OF LOCAL JOURNALISM IN A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY: AN ADVOCACY PANEL DISCUSSION
Literary Art
Tuesday, May 24, 7pm
Online
$5 – proceeds donated to The Institute for Nonprofit News
As local news sources decline nationwide, a growing proportion of Americans get their news via social media and online platforms. James River Writers bring discussion on the importance of a robust network of local journalism to maintain an informed population that contributes to a healthy democracy. Expert panelists include a Pulitzer Prize-winning local journalist, a professor of journalism that specializes in media bias and disinformation, and a communications specialist representing The Institute for Nonprofit News. Join the conversation as they share their knowledge and expertise about the crucial role of local media in breaking stories that resonate with their communities, build trust in journalism as a whole, and connect national news stories at a local level that helps bring humanity and relevance to the headlines. Panelists include Sharene Azimi, Dr. Mallory Perryman, and Michael Paul Williams. Register online.
2. POETRY SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA'S ANNUAL FESTIVAL
Poetry, Music
Friday & Saturday, May 27-28
College of William & Mary, Miller Hall, 101 Ukrop Way, Williamsburg, 23185
$62/event, additional $26 for banquet
The Poetry Society of Virginia brings their annual festival to William & Mary. Lisa Russ Spaar, poet and director of the Area Program in Poetry Writing at the University of Virginia, gives the keynote address. Featured readers are North American Book Award 2022 winner David Mills with Virginia Poet Laureate Luisa A. Igloria, Hermine Pinson, and Arkansas Poet Laureate Suzanne Underwood Rhodes. Register online.
3. DAVID ROGERS' BIG BUGS
Visual Art
Through Sunday, August 28
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | 1800 Lakeside Avenue | Richmond, Virginia 23228
Admission: $17 adults | $14 Seniors | $8 youth (age 3-12) | Members & under 3 free
Did you know that 75% of the earth’s flowering plants and over 70% of its food crops depend on pollinators to thrive? Think about a world without coffee and chocolate?! That’s pretty powerful! This summer, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens puts the spotlight on bugs and birds in a BIG way. Artist David Rogers’ Big Bugs: The Pollinators showcases larger-than-life sculptures highlighting the importance of pollinators and preserving their habitats. Visitors of all ages and abilities will explore the wonder and craftsmanship of these nine oversized pollinator sculptures created from combinations of found or fallen whole trees, willow limbs, twigs, branches and other forest material. Discover giant ladybugs on a branch, a 17-foot tall daddy longlegs, a giant dragonfly, a beautiful hummingbird and more! Purchase tickets online.
4. THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Film
Sunday, May 29, 2pm
The Byrd Theater, 2908 W Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
$8
The Byrd Theater brings the musical family classic, The Sound of Music. A tuneful, heartwarming story, it is based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world's best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children and brings a new love of life and music into the home. Purchase tickets online or at theater.
5. UNHAPPY HOUR
Music, Literary Art, History
Thursday, May 26, 6pm
The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, 23223
$10
Goth spring has sprung! Join the Poe Museum for a night of fearful festivities. Groove to Richmond’s surf-rock stalwarts The Embalmers. Play lawn games and pursue justice in the Tell-Tale Heart mock trial. Come explore the Poe Museum after-hours and see special pieces from the Poe collection. Cuisine from Caribbean Soul Food truck thanks to Mobile Yum Yum! Adult libations include beer and wine for purchase. It’s a miserable time from six to nine! This event is a part of The Poe Museum centennial celebration. Purchase tickets online.
6. BONNIE & CLAIRE
Theatre
Through June 12, dates & times vary
Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd, Hanover, 23069
$48
Best known to Hanover audiences for his hilarious Charitable Sisterhood plays, Bo Wilson’s new play is a funny and heartwarming story about two sisters who reluctantly reunite after a forty-year separation. Now in the autumn of their lives, Bonnie and Claire find themselves increasingly reliant on their niece, Zoe, who is trying to start a business and a family of her own while conducting delicate diplomacy between the feuding siblings. Presented by Virginia Rep. Purchase tickets online.
7. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Art
Friday, May 27, 6pm – Henrico High exhibit reception
Friday, June 3, 6pm – Maggie Walker exhibit reception
Art Works, 320 Hull Street, Richmond, 23224
In May and June of each year Art Works proudly partners with the art programs at Henrico High School and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. The work is the result of four years of study and ranges from paintings, sculptures, installations to fashion. Henrico High and Maggie L. Walker share the main gallery space. The exhibits go through May 30 for Henrico High and June 12 for Maggie Walker. Dancers by Lew Lott opens in the Centre Gallery and there’s our monthly All Media Show juried by Jeff Hall in the Skylight Gallery. The events are free and open to the public. No registration required.
8. HIGHLIGHTS OF HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY WALKING TOUR
History, Architecture
Saturday, May 28, 10am
Sunday, May 29, 2pm
Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220-6214, United States
$20 Adult | $10 Valentine members | Under 18 free
On a spectacular bluff overlooking the James River, Hollywood Cemetery has been the final resting place of some of Virginia’s most prominent citizens since 1847. Join the most experienced guides in Richmond from The Valentine as they explore the graves of rebels and rockers, politicians and Pulitzer prize winners, and, of course, two U.S. presidents: James Monroe and John Tyler. Also, learn about the 18,000 Civil War dead buried in Hollywood and the cemetery’s complicated legacy as a shrine to the Confederacy. Purchase tickets online.
9. FRANCES WESSELLS & JOHN BAILEY EXHIBIT
Visual Art
Friday, May 27, 6pm
Exhibition runs through Jun 18
Artspace, 2833-A Hathaway Rd., Richmond, 23225
Artspace Gallery is pleased to honor Artspace Artist Member Emerita Frances Wessells by choreographing an exhibition of her personal art collection. This collection of a lifetime includes sculptural work created by Wessells, signed and numbered screen prints created by her late husband, John Bailey, and many other artworks by them and other local artists. All pieces are available for purchase. Come, participate, and give Frances the joy of knowing the well-loved items in her collection will continue to be treasured by their new owners in the future. No registration required.
If you are an arts or cultural organization with lectures, exhibitions, performances, 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, check out the list of local and national resources from Richmond CultureWorks.
The Valentine, Virginia Rep, and William & Mary School of Education are sponsors of VPM.
