While spring is still a few weeks away according to the calendar, it seems that things are starting to brighten and warm up around RVA lately, so it's a great time to head downtown and check out Richmond's First Friday Art Walk. We here at RVA Magazine have just released our latest mini-mag, TV Party: A Collection Of Art, which showcases a wide-ranging array of up-and-coming local artistic talent. Copies of that mini-mag will be available from many of the galleries along the Art Walk during the First Friday event, so keep your eyes open for those! Here's a guide to what else you should be on the lookout for this evening:
Ghostprint Gallery: Body Of Evidence
Case #107, mixed media assemblage, 14 x 18 x 1.5 in.
Body of Evidence is an exhibition of assemblage and photography by retired VCU art professor, Chuck Scalin. This show marks Scalin’s 25th solo exhibition in Richmond. His new body of work is based on an interest in popular culture and police procedurals as seen in film and television and Scalin invites the viewing audience to enter into the narrative he has created:
“You are invited to examine a number of recently discovered, long-forgotten boxes containing evidence for unsolved mysteries. Perhaps you will be able to uncover the meaning hidden in these enigmatic clues and unlock their dark puzzles.”
Body Of Evidence on Friday, March 2, from 6-9 PM, and will remain on display through March 31 at Ghostprint Gallery, 220 W. Broad St.
Gallery 5: With Signs Following/Ish Ish Illustrations
Gallery 5 (200 W. Marshall St.) will present two different exhibition openings. From 6 PM to 9 PM, they present With Signs Following, a documentary film and multi-media installation directed and produced by Richmond-based artists Kate Fowler and Mark Strandquist. Their work chronicles one of the last remaining serpent handling churches in West, Virginia and its gradual decline.
With Signs Following illustrates a deeply spiritual community, struggling to maintain an isolated
congregation in the technological era. Through video portraiture, sound design, and time-based elements, the artists capture a fading belief system, and the lives of its practitioners.
This installation will precede the premier of the completed documentary film, With Signs Following. The screening will be included as a part of the James River Film Festival.
Contour Drawing [22x22] Watercolor + ink.
Beginning at 9 PM, Gallery 5 presents Illustrations by Nelly Kate from the limited edition book released in conjunction with her new album, Ish Ish. Nelly Kate is emerging as a new artist in Richmond working in both audio and visual media. Although she has had designs and illustrations included in group exhibits in Philadelphia, PA and a number of publications, this is her first solo exhibit. With a unique style of single-line contour drawings and watercolor washes, she brings her subjects to life by stripping them down to their essential formal and emotional truths. Her work carries painstaking moments of detail within a minimal frame offering a sweet paradox for her viewers. These illustrations will be on display for this ONE NIGHT ONLY. The remaining drawings that have not been spoken for during the pre-sale will also be available for purchase.
The opening of this collection will feature musical performances from New York's SoftSpot and Caged Animals, as well as local Richmond group Boas. This will be a truly multi-dimensional evening of art and music, further complimented by the projections of Dave Watkins, who will be lighting up the musicians' stage set with his original video work.
Quirk Gallery: FLOCK
Spring arrives into Winter moment by moment, bud by bud, bird by bird. Brilliant color crowds out monochrome one species at a time. Warming optimism swells across chilly lethargy with each arriving glimpse. FLOCK, an exhibition of six colorful flocks by seven artists, delivers restorative delights just in time for Spring.
Curated by Alyssa C. Salomon
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
* Cliff Baldwin / Aquebogue, NY
* Chris Chase / Richmond, VA
* Veva Edelson / Penland, NC
* Mary Holland / Richmond, VA
* Alyssa C. Salomon & Steve Pittelkow / Providence Forge, VA & St. Paul, MN
* Jennifer Watson / Richmond, VA
This exhibit opens on March 2 from 5-9 PM and will remain on display until April 28 at Quirk Gallery, 311 W. Broad St.
The Gallery At Unos: Simplicity
The Gallery At Unos (700 North 4th St) presents the opening of Simplicity, featuring photography by Marilyn West and art by Abernathy Bland, on Friday March 2 from 5-8 PM. The exhibit will be on display through April 26.
Visual Arts Studio: Young Masters
Monticello Rays by Ben M. 20" x 16"
In celebration of Youth Art Month, Visual Art Studio (208 W. Broad St.) invites you to Young Masters: New Generation, artwork by Fine Arts Department Students & Alumni of Cosby High School on display through Friday March 30th.
Studio Two Three: DAS IT!
Studio Two Three (1617 W. Main St.) presents a collection of print works by Mike Gogniat and Shawn Gisriel. Opening reception on Friday March 2 from 7-9 PM.
SPUR Gallery: Dirty Slunt
SPUR Gallery (321 Brook Rd) presents Dirty Slunt, a collection of works by Jamie Morgan.
This collection of pieces explores my romanticized, narcissistic and sometimes delusional daily affairs. Whether of sexual conquest or just writing poetry in admiration to myself, I am completely self absorbed in these paintings. Neglecting to make political commentary, draw attention to my surroundings, or paint fruit, and rather choosing to focus entirely on my own little selfish world. A world where experiences and conversations become magnified and glorified to the point where someone offering half a grapefruit could turn into a religious epiphany… or orgasm. This is a peek into my world of daydreams, teeth, cocks, geometry and wolves; skulls, sperms, shoulders, and lust. Enjoy!
- xoxo -
Jamie
Studio 6: Todd Hale
At Studio 6 (6 E. Broad St.), Todd Hale presents a series of ipad drawings and other works. His studio will be open beginning at 6 PM.
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Considering that the First Friday Art Walk encompasses over 40 different venues, it's entirely possible that a lot more than this is going on, but this seems like a good start, right? Check out the official First Friday Art Walk website if you need more information or a map of the area, and remember: support local art! Our patronage is what allows RVA's thriving art scene to survive.