Hey folks, we're back! The First Friday RVA previews have been MIA for the past couple of months, but that ends today--it's time to get back to the thriving heart of the art scene in this city we love, and recognize all the great talents bringing great work out of the studios and into the galleries of the Richmond Arts District and beyond. With the weather being weird this summer and the Richmond Mural Project and a variety of other cultural events happening around town to distract us, it can be easy to forget about the local artistic tradition that is First Friday. But the city just wouldn't be the same without it, so show some love and come check out the spectrum of art that is on display this weekend. Here's a preview of what you'll find:
Ghostprint Gallery: Negativland--Our Favorite Things
The Volcano Society: The Volcano, Painting/digital found images, collaged on canvas, 2010, 36″ x 36″
Our Favorite Things is Negativland’s first retrospective exhibit in Richmond, VA, and is a comprehensive survey of both current and older visual art work that has been shown in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis, Seattle, London, Houston, and Art Basel. The members of Negativland live and work in California, Washington, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. They are : Mark Hosler, Don Joyce, David Wills, Richard Lyons, Chris Grigg and The Jet Black Hair People. Since 1980 they have been creating collaged works in fine art, music, CDs, video, radio, and live performance using appropriated sounds, objects, images, and text.
Negativland has been sued twice for copyright infringement, which they fought successfully. Now their work is referenced and taught in many college courses in the US and been written about in over 150 books (including No Logo by Naomi Klein). Since the lawsuits, Negativland has been aggressively and publicly involved in advocating significant reforms of U.S. copyright laws, and members have recently visited Capitol Hill to engage with various Senators and Congressmen.
Negativland's Our Favorite Things will debut on Thursday, August 1 with an artist's reception from 6 to 9 PM, featuring a solo performance by Negativland's Mark Hosler. There will also be a First Friday opening reception from 6-9 PM on August 2. The exhibition will remain on display through September 28 at Ghostprint Gallery, located at 220 W. Broad St.
Quirk Gallery: Robey Clark, Sara Gossett, & Molly Anne Bishop
This month, Quirk Gallery presents the work of three different artists: Robey Clark in the main gallery, Sara Gossett on the shop wall, and Molly Anne Bishop in the vault.
"...Printmaking and making a perfect edition is thrilling, but also awfully tense. And the seconds (prints that don't make the cut) have their own beauty that is completely unique and oftentimes transcends the standard edition. In my work I try to find that." --Robey Clark
"...Inspiration is everywhere, it really is... Dreaming and daydreaming about projecting the visual inspiration from all these beautiful things into a new creation is really at the heart..." --Sara Gossett
"I want to talk about the universality of feelings. As people, we all have the same basic desires. I think a lot of people feel confused or sad and maybe don't talk about it. So I try to put it out in the open, on a plate holding your dinner. I want them to be funny and maybe a little uncomfortable."--Molly Anne Bishop
Although these shows have already opened (as of July 11), there will be an Artist's Reception on Thursday, August 1, from 5-8 PM, as well as a First Friday reception on August 2 from 5-9 PM, at Quirk Gallery (311 W. Broad St.) All three exhibitions will remain on display through August 31.
Virginia Center For Latin American Art: Helene Ruiz
This First Friday, join VACLAA for a show of paintings by local painter and curator Helene Ruiz, exploring diverse Orishas of the Yoruba tradition in our mobile Galeria Movimiento. DJ Rattan will be spinning classic Latin vinyl. The internationally renowned percussionist Melena will also be performing. Melena is a local treasure. Her style is rooted in the deep traditions of West Africa as they evolved in Latin America and her spirit is infectious! Our friends from Happy Empanada will be on hand with their fresh Panamanian delicacies, and La Mechuacana will be selling the best ice cream pops you've ever had. Finally, our friends from Backseat Gallery will bring their mobile art gallery with a new mural and original pop art from the hands and mind of artist Daniel Johnson. See you on the bus!
The Virginia Center For Latin American Art (VACLAA) will be displaying Helene Ruiz's work on their Galeria Movimiento bus in the parking lot of Moore's Auto Body Shop (401 W. Broad St.) on First Friday, August 2, from 5-9 PM.
Art6: A Show Of Heads & Energy
ART6 GALLERY WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO "A SHOW OF HEADS"
The Main Gallery will exhibit the works of local and national artists to include a special one wall feature of the photography of Ms. Jasmine Battle. The Skylight Gallery will exhibit the works from the children that attended the free art workshops on July 13th and 20th at the Gallery. There will be a Special Solo exhibit in the front spaces of the Main Floor that is a separate exhibit from "A SHOW OF HEADS" that will be in the Main Gallery. This solo exhibit is entitled: "ENERGY", featuring the works of artist Robert Ford
**"Energy is one the most intimate phenomenons I have experienced in life. Everywhere I go I notice the energy. I notice how energy attempts to change the way I feel and think. Whether good or bad I feel it's force in everything and just becoming aware of this has changed my perspective on life. For that reason, I've focused on building the language of energy through my art. My art makes energy visual." Robert Ford**
A Show Of Heads and Energy will open on First Friday, August 2, with a reception from 6-10 PM at Art6, located at 6 E. Broad St. There will be a meet and greet Artist's Reception on Friday August 30 from 6-8 PM.
Elegba Folklore Society: Talisman: Lucky Ritual
Elegba Folklore Society presents Talisman: Lucky Ritual, a collection of new mixed media works by Risegun Olomidun.
"In a universe of uncertainty, human kind has sought out ways of increasing it’s abilities of negotiating the life's adventure. Special objects constructed, carried, cherished and charged in acts of consecration to give them alleged magical powers."
Talisman: Lucky Ritual will open with a reception on First Friday, August 2, from 5-9 PM at Elegba Folklore Society, located at 101 E. Broad St. The evening will feature performances by Carl Olamina Ridley, Emanuell Wildfire Wilson, DJ Graybeard, and more.
ART 180: Words Of Life & Through The Art Of Doll Making
ART 180 presents two new exhibitions for the month of August at Atlas Gallery, Words Of Life and Through The Art Of Doll Making.
Words of Life: New paintings by Malcolm Dortch. Malcolm is a 16-year-old aspiring artist who attends Fork Union Military Academy. Since he was a young child, Malcolm has always had a way with words. He was inspired by his past and present to put these pieces together.
Through the Art of Doll Making. African-inspired dolls created by young artists from Camp Diva. Dharah Marcus led young ladies from Camp Diva’s summer retreat in creating African-inspired dolls. Girls learned the culture and history associated with this ancient technique, while having fun learning a new skill that can contribute to economic development within their communities.
Words Of Life and Through The Art Of Doll Making will open with a reception on First Friday, August 2, from 6-9 PM at Atlas Gallery, ART 180's Art Center For Teens, located at 114 W. Marshall St. The exhibition will remain on display through September 3.
ADA Gallery: The Electric Football Game Art Show
Featuring game boards, figures and teams from the popular 20th century board game, "The Electric Football Game Art Show" will showcase archival items and present-day creations from artists from all over the country. More than 1,000 hand painted figures and teams will be on display and available for purchase. Opening night features authors Earl Shores, author of the recently released, 633-page history of the game "The Unforgettable Buzz," and Roddy Garcia, as well as designer Michael Kronenberg, Marvel Comics, in attendance, plus a live game demonstration. The Miniature Football Coaches Association will raffle off custom figures.
The Electric Football Game Art Show will open with a reception on First Friday, August 2, from 6-9 PM at ADA Gallery, located at 228 W. Broad St. The exhibition will remain on display through September 13.
Steady Sounds: T-Shirt Mixtape
Steady Sounds presents T-Shirt Mixtape, a collection of works by Thomas Dean.
"I'm taking music images I love and I'm putting them on shirts for you. I'll also be showing some concert posters I have printed for shows in Charlottesville over the past few years!" --Thomas Dean
T-Shirt Mixtape will open with a reception on First Friday, August 2, from 6-9 PM at Steady Sounds, located at 322 W. Broad St.
Studio Two Three: Summer Print Fair
Come one, come all to Studio Two Three’s first Summer Print Fair! Now's the time to grab some hot prints at a cool price. Choose from a variety of original works by Jacob Green, Travis Robertson, Thomas Dean, Emily Gannon, Aijung Kim, Allyson Mellberg, Anthony Meloro, Tim Skirven, Jeremy Taylor and Steven Yates. With over 100 prints to choose from, there's guaranteed to be something for everyone! Nothing is priced over $25 and a portion of the sales will benefit Gallery Two Three, Richmond's only print-specific gallery. We’ll also be providing summertime food and refreshments to help you beat the heat. You don't want to miss this!
Studio Two Three's Summer Print Fair will take place on First Friday, August 2, from 6-9 PM at Studio Two Three, located at 1617 W. Main St.
Artemis Gallery: Sunglasses Rock & Roll
For the third year in a row Artemis gallery has presented Rock N' Roll sunglasses to wear to all the summer music and art festivals. Hand-made and decorated outrageous fashion sunglasses made by John Crutchfield and local Richmond studio artists Rebecca Holt, Megan Hines, and Sharon Kronstedt.
Last year we were introduced on Good Morning America, this year Graphic Art Guitars were exhibited at the Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago and the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair in Michigan!
Stop by Artemis for light refreshments and music provided by Brooke Saunders and The Floating Folk Festival!
Sunglasses Rock & Roll will open on First Friday, August 2, with a reception from 5-10 PM at Artemis Gallery, located at 1601 W. Main St.
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Artists! Galleries! Would you like your future First Friday events covered in these monthly* articles? We might hear about your event anyway, but why leave it to chance? Email your press releases to andrew@rvamag.com.
*--from which we swear to god we will not take two months off again