September 15, 2023

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Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

VMFA spotlights Richmond artist

Anne S at Jack B’s Pool, 1984, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), silver dye bleach print. | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment

A new exhibition is opening at the VMFA on Saturday, Oct. 21. “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist” will explore the 60-year career of photographer, painter, and Richmond native Willie Anne Weight.

Wright was born in Richmond in 1924 and received her MFA at the Richmond Professional Institute — now Virginia Commonwealth University. In the 1970s, her art evolved from paintings, serigraphs, and drawings to photography, where she became an innovator in lensless processes like pinhole and photogram works.

You may have seen Wright’s work as part of the permanent collection at the VMFA or around the country, but the new exhibition will be a comprehensive look at her decades-long career.

RICtoday_WillieAnneWright_VMFA2 — Gracie with Dress, 2005, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), gelatin silver print, 16 x 19 15/16 in.
|
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment

Made up of 63 photographs and nine paintings, “Artist and Alchemist” spans a variety of themes, from feminine identity and motherhood to popular culture to the cultural mythology of the South.

The VMFA acquired an extensive collection of Wright’s work, including the artist’s archive, in March. The museum announced that there would be a special exhibition for Wright when it added the pieces to its permanent collection.

You can find “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist” in the Evans Court Gallery on the second floor of the museum. It’ll be open to the public — no special ticket required — through Sunday, April 28.

Events

Friday, Sept. 15

Fall PlantFest | Friday, Sept. 15-Saturday, Sept. 16 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond | Free entry | Shop from dozens of vendors and consult with garden experts to find the best plants for you at this pup-friendly sale.
Atlas Studio Open House | Friday, Sept. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | ART 180 Atlas Gallery, 114 W. Marshall St., Richmond | Free | Reserve a spot at this open house for teens where they can mingle with other creatives, learn about fall offerings, and participate in a clay workshop.

Saturday, Sept. 16

Friends of the Library Book Drive | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | RPL Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond | Free | Donate your used hardbacks, paperbacks, CDs, and DVDs.
Scott’s Addition Pride Takeover | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 12-5 p.m. | Scott’s Addition, Leigh St., Richmond | Cost of purchase | Pick up a Pride passport at a participating venue and enjoy deals at participating businesses, including specialty drinks, live music, and reduced admission at the Science Museum.
RVA Music Fest | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 12-8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Bring school supplies to donate to RPS and enjoy a music festival celebrating independent artists.
Movies in the Outfield: “Encanto” | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 5:30 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $8 | We don’t talk about Bruno, but we’ll spread the word about this outdoor screening of this Disney musical.

Sunday, Sept. 17

Sunday Bagel Pop-Up | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 9 a.m. | Celladora Wines, 111B Lombardy St., Richmond | Cost of purchase | This bagel pop-up will be set up at the wine shop until the bagels sell out.
The Art Seen | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 3-8 p.m. | Fountain Lake at Byrd Park, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Byrd Park will be filled with art, music, and food during this art walk event presented by Unlocking RVA.
Classical Incarnations | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 7 p.m. | Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St., Richmond | Free entry | Donations are encouraged at this classical music variety show featuring local performers.

Even more events

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Travel

This travel-worthy festival is all about books, ideas + conversations

A live talk with an author at the Charleston Literary Festival, Inc

Now in its seventh year, the Charleston Literary Festival will take place over 10 days at three local venues: Circular Congregation Church, the International African American Museum, and Dock Street Theatre. | Photo provided by Charleston Literary Festival, Inc

Calling all literature lovers: The Charleston Literary Festival, an annual boutique literary event, is happening Nov. 3-12 in downtown Charleston, SC.

Charleston Literary Festival has a strong track record of hosting internationally-acclaimed writers, and this year is no different. (Keep reading...) This year’s festival is anticipated to be the biggest and most ambitious yet with 30+ sessions covering AI in literature, memoir and healing, the art of mastery, grief, historical fiction, and more.

The Festival has two locations:

Nov. 3-5 at Circular Congregational Church
Nov. 7-12 at the historic Dock Street Theatre

This year’s festival kicks off with an opening night party on Nov. 4 and features standout events like:

Generation-defining, world-class author Margaret Atwood (read: “The Handmaid’s Tale”) during a virtual event
Award-winning poet Safiya Sinclair on her journey to find her voice as a woman and a poet in her memoir “How To Say Babylon”
Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Paul Harding on “This Other Eden” — his novel that has been nominated for this year’s Booker Prize
And more

Get the details + tickets

News Notes

Development

VCU is moving forward with its future athletics village by making plans to demolish three vacant buildings near Hermitage Road. The new tennis facility, soccer stadium, and indoor track will be built adjacent to the upcoming Diamond District redevelopment. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Sports

The Flying Squirrels punched their ticket to the playoffs with their 7-3 win against Erie last night, earning them the second-half Southwest Division title. The team will return to Richmond on Tuesday, Sept. 19 for the first game of a three-game series against Erie. Get tickets.

Opening

Pamplemousse Gallery is opening its new location tonight with a show by local artist Colin Harris. Check out “My First Rodeo” tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at 300 N. Robinson St.

Biz

The owners of Gelati Celesti Ice Cream are passing the torch to the next generation. Suzy and Tom Rosser will take over as co-presidents from their parents, Steve and Kim. The Rosser family announced the change yesterday, and they’re already teasing future flavor innovation and an expanded reach. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Eat

You can now find products from a local snack brand startup at Whole Foods in Virginia and DC. Absurd Snacks — a brand of allergen-free trail mixes and other snacks — began as a project during an innovation class at the University of Richmond. (Richmond BizSense)

Cause

Next week is national Diaper Need Awareness Week and Little Hands Virginia is hosting a drive throughout the Richmond area. Donate diapers or make a contribution — $25 can provide a local child diapers for a month. You can also drop off donations at sites around town.

Plan Ahead

Tickets go on sale this morning at 10 a.m. for “Six,” part of Broadway in Richmond’s ongoing season. The musical will have eight showings at Altria Theater Tuesday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 12.

Theater

Looking for more local theater? Virginia Rep’s production of the Tony-nominated show “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” continues at the November Theatre until the end of the month. Read a review of the political farce or get your tickets now. (Richmond Family Magazine)

Film

The Ashland Theatre is getting ready for Halloween by announcing its month-long lineup of spooky events. Make plans to see “Monster House,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Carrie,” and “Halloween.” Plus, the theater will have two screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with shadow-cast performances.

Older Adults

If you’re age 50 and better, listen up: Three Virginia Physicians for Women providers will be teaching courses this fall at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield and the University of Richmond’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Course topics: aging well, menopause, and urinary incontinence. See course details + register.*

Drink

It’s been a record-hot summer — and we still haven’t drank water since 1997. But this water brand makes us want to actually stay hydrated. It’s infused with fruit essences and has zero calories, diet sweeteners, and sugar, and still manages to taste great. New customers score 36 bottles for $36 + free shipping.*

Fun Fact

Whiskey returned 314% over the last 10 years. Invest in fine whiskeys and wines with Vinovest to diversify your portfolio and watch it age like fine wine.*

Festival

🗓 Oktoberfest events on the agenda

Eat, drink, and dance at Maymont’s Bier-Garden festival. | Photo by Aarron Saldivar

Seasonal events this way

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The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

There’s a ton of art news today — check out the opening of “Portals” by artist Dathan Kane at Southside Contemporary Art Gallery tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. It’ll be on display until Friday, Oct. 27.

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