“Once out of all the gray days of my life I have looked into the heart of reality; I have witnessed the truth; I have seen life as it really is -- ravishingly, ecstatically, madly beautiful, and filled to overflowing with a wild joy, and a value unspeakable.” ~ Margaret Prescott Montague
With January’s many gray days, let local art brighten your mood and expose you to another way of seeing the truth in any given situation. This week we have Virginia as well as medieval history. We have music and dance. And we have several gallery openings. Look into the heart of RVA arts and culture – there are so many new perspectives to find!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Art
Friday, January 27, 6pm – reception
Exhibits run through February 18
Art Works, 320 Hull Street, Richmond, 23224
In January Art Works hosts their 20th Simply Photography exhibit. Artists from all over Virginia submit photography showcasing a variety of subjects and photographic methods. Also featured this month are three solo shows by photographers: Daniel Travis Bice, Wendy Nelson, and Joseph Gottlich. Join them for the opening reception where you can meet the artists and enjoy live music. No registration required for this free event.
2. 200 YEARS, 200 STORIES
History, Visual Art
Exhibition runs from January 24 – October 28
Tours offered Tuesday -- January 24, 11 AM – 2 PM
Opening Lecture – Tuesday, January 24, noon
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
The Library of Virginia, one of the oldest state libraries and archives in the nation, marks its bicentennial in 2023 with a free exhibition — 200 Years, 200 Stories. The exhibition and multimedia experience celebrate 200 Virginians whose fascinating narratives are housed in the Library’s collections and together reflect the stories of Virginia. The exhibition is one of several key events and initiatives planned to celebrate the Library’s bicentennial in 2023. Opening day of the exhibit, the Library offers tours as well as the lecture, “The Origins of the Library of Virginia's Book Collections.” Look for the full 200th anniversary event schedule on the Library’s calendar. While these events are free, reservations are required for the tours and the lecture.
3. BLOOD FROM A TURNIP PUPPET SALON
Theatre, Puppetry
Sunday, January 29, 7:30 PM
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$10
Blood from a Turnip is a puppet salon celebrating the diversity of puppet expression and the range of folks who tell stories through objects. Since its founding in 1997 the event has presented short form puppet shows in a variety of styles and incubates the professional and amateur puppeteer alike. Threaded through with charming and personable musical interludes, Blood from a Turnip (BfaT) is excited to make its Firehouse Theatre debut, opening its circle to puppeteers throughout the DMV. Purchase tickets online.
4. THE WILD, WACKY AND TRULY WONDERFUL WOMEN OF SONG
Music
Thursday, January 26, 7 PM
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
$20
Come and be thoroughly entertained by some of Henrico Theatre Company’s favorite leading ladies! This concert will feature wonderful women singing songs that they have been closely associated with over the years, while others go down a road they have not yet taken. Solos, duets, and group numbers – we’ve got it all for you! Featuring performers Shannon Gibson Brown, Jenny Fralin, Karen Moody, Nancy McMahon, Kyle Billeter, and Ann Vannoy. Plus, one or two other surprise guests… all wild, wacky, and truly wonderful - and all accompanied on the piano. Purchase tickets online.
5. TASTE OF ART FEATURING STARR HILL BREWERY
Visual Art
Friday, January 27, 5:30 PM
Exhibits run through February 18
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
Join Starr Hill Brewery in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Best Café for a sampling of offerings from this Virginia-based brewery, including Storied Strings Lager, the special beer in celebration of Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art. Follow your tasting with a visit to Storied String's to see Jessie with Guitar (1957), the work by eminent American artist Thomas Hart Benton (1889–1975) featured on Storied Strings Lager’s eye-catching can. No registration required for this free event.
6. SCHEHERAZADE
Music
Saturday, January 28, 8 PM
Sunday, January 19, 3 PM
Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$10 - $85
It beguiles and seduces. Sensuous, exotic. Scheherazade is a spectacular showpiece to display the astounding virtuosity of the Richmond Symphony under Valentina Peleggi. These concerts also feature Vaughan Williams’ sumptuous Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. And with cellist Inbal Segev, a lyrical concerto by Anna Clyne, DANCE. Purchase tickets online.
7. PROFS & PINTS RICHMOND: A SCHOLARLY TOUR OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON
History
Tuesday, January 24, 6 PM
Triple Crossing Brewery - Fulton, 5203 Hatcher Street, Richmond, 23231
$13.50 - $17
Profs and Pints Richmond presents “A Scholarly Tour of House of the Dragon,” an exploration of the historical influences on the HBO’s hit series, with Dr. David Routt, a medievalist whose teaching has earned him glowing reviews from students at the University of Richmond. Purchase tickets online.
8. GELLMAN ROOM CONCERT: THE TAM TRIO
Music
Saturday, January 28, 2 PM
Richmond Public Library Main, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219
“Modern Classics: Mozart, Mendelssohn and Mercury”—a journey through the ages with dramatic Mendelssohn and playful Mozart followed by a variety of styles including beautiful folk and modern pop presented by The TAM Trio (T3) Sharon Miller, piano; Christine Anderson, violin; and Kate Tibbetts, cello. Presented by Richmond Public Library. No registration required for this free event.
9. THE LOOK OF LOVE
Dance
Friday, January 27, 7:30 PM performance
Modlin Center for the Arts, 453 Westhampton Way, Richmond, 23173
$35 Adult | $30 Senior | $10 Student/Youth
Mark Morris Dance Group continues to innovate and create work that invites the audience into places both familiar and quirky – and the result is often extraordinary. The Look of Love is an evening-length work – co-commissioned by the Modlin Center – featuring the music of Burt Bacharach, performed live by Mark Morris Music Ensemble, music direction and arrangements by Ethan Iverson, formerly of the jazz trio The Bad Plus. Join them at 6:30 pm for a Pre-Show Artist Talk. The Modlin Center will also offer a free workshop with the Mark Morris Dance Group, open to ages 12 and up (registration required). Purchase performance tickets online.
10. JANUARY/FEBRUARY EXHIBITIONS AT ARTSPACE GALLERY
Visual Art
Friday, January 27, 6 PM reception
Exhibits run through February 18
Artspace Gallery, 2833-A Hathaway Road, Richmond, 23225
Artspace presents three solo exhibitions that utilize meditation and metaphor to present themes of intricacy, intimacy, and insight. The opening reception features artwork by Reni Gower, Sandhi Schimmel Gold and Franchell Mack Brown. Also on view will be a group exhibition by Artspace Artist Members and in the Elisabeth Flynn-Chapman Gallery, the annual exhibition of Central Region Virginia Art Education Association. No registration required for this free event.
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 Library of Virginia and Modlin Center for the Arts are sponsors of VPM.
