Meet this week's guest editor, Hamilton Glass. He's here to help inspire us to listen. To uplift. And to bring us all together. Ham's career as an artist stems from his architecture and design background. Despite working in the architecture field for years, his passion for public art pushed him to start a career as a celebrated artist in RVA. With every project he has created since, Ham has built in a message of hope and unity. You can spot Ham's work around town by his signature use of architectural elements with bright vivid colors and unpredictable lines used to convey a sense of energy, connection, and movement that we could all use right now. Take it away, Ham.
I'm proud of Richmond right now. No doubt there's a long way to go, but we're taking steps in the right direction. But we can't let this moment of connection go. Let's continue to support one another through solidarity and empathy while being patient through these tough conversations. Here are a few ways to go all in...
All In
Together
The All In Together project was created in response to COVID-19 to highlight the beauty of our community coming together to make art even while we are physically apart. But in our changing times, this collaborative project now takes on new meaning. Together, with an understanding of history, everyone can add their voice in an effort to help stop a four-century cycle of injustice. The project now serves as a vehicle to aid in the healing of our community by providing an outlet to create art with our neighbors while expressing and processing the challenges of our times. To begin, visit allintogetherva.com to download a series of 8.5” x 11” coloring pages to complete at home. Participants can color each page in creative ways that represent their individual expression by adding color, additional lines or sketches, painting or collaging the pages. Once the sheets are completed, just submit your work on the All in Together website and each coloring sheet will become a small part of a series of 8′ x 8′ murals placed in different locations (such as the Virginia Museum of History and Culture) all over Virginia.
Mending Walls is a public art project that brings together artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that address where we are now in society and how we can move forward through understanding and collaboration. Mending Walls pairs up artists of different backgrounds to create unique connections and gives them an opportunity to tell their story collaboratively in an effort to express healing through connection. In this moment we all are searching for more understanding and this project serves as a tool that fuels connection through storytelling. Our hope is to bring about healing through public art while adding something meaningful to the conversation of Black Lives Matter. A growing list of artists are giving their time and banding together to start these tough conversations. And those with space to donate are offering their walls for consideration as potential site locations. Look for the first installations on the windows, doors, and gates at the Poe Museum.
The Heart of it All started when the current health crisis began as a way to connect with fellow artists like David Marion, co-creator of the Art with a Purpose Charity Art Gala. On most Wednesdays, we take a moment to discuss a variety of topics live on Instagram and Facebook. We invite everyone to join as we talk about ways to find your voice through art, how to heal the heART of America, and creativity during COVID-19. We invite other artists, art fans, and anyone who loves their community to join in, ask questions, and to share their voice during our virtual meetups. “Art is such a powerful tool of communication and my overall goal is to give my testimony through art; in hopes that it can further inspire someone else or help them to realize the true gifts that are within them,” explains David.
All in Together organizers are raising funds through Indiegogo to install collaborative murals in schools and public facilities around Greater Richmond. As a token of appreciation, All In Together is offering a variety of perks such a comfy t-shirt (pictured), stickers, screen prints, hands-on experiences, and customized murals.
