Here’s to celebrating this place we call home by moving from passive observation to active engagement. We’ve rounded up a handful of ways in Richmond to illuminate an inclusive community and promote social justice and racial equity in everyday actions.
Richmond Climbers Coalition
A group of Richmond-based climbers have come together to bring change and equity within local and national climbing communities. The growing group of climbers, called the Richmond Climbers Coalition, is working to make climbing in Richmond accessible to all while providing resources for climbers and climbing gyms. In addition, the group is hosting fundraising events to increase inclusivity and visibility of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in the sport. Richmond Climbers Coalition encourages climbers to reflect on the privilege of rock climbing and how to be an ally in the outdoors. Join the Richmond Climbers Coalition as they host meetups around RVA and create community.
The “Black is Beautiful” beer initiative is a nationwide, collaborative effort to raise awareness for the injustice people of color face and raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defense for those who have been wronged. There are over 900 breweries committed to this initiative and over 30 breweries in Virginia working to spread awareness through craft beer. Here in Richmond, watch for Black is Beautiful beer releases by The Veil benefiting The Richmond Transparency and Accountability Project, The Answerbenefiting Campaign Zero and SisterFund, Hardywood benefiting the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, Strangeways benefiting Girls for a Change, and more breweries to be announced. Visit Richmond's breweries participating in the Black is Beautiful beer initiative to show that the brewing community should be an inclusive place for everyone of any color.
Richmond artist Keith Ramsey describes the Bike Monday Bros as, “Just a bunch of bros who like riding bikes. If you want to join us just show up and enjoy the ride.” Ramsey, along with a group of friends, have long devoted their Monday evenings to bicycling around the city they love. But it wasn’t until recently that the group formalized their efforts by hosting a Unity Ride for Black Lives last month. Over 100 cyclists showed up to join Ramsey and crew for the event as Richmonders pedaled their way from Monroe Park through Jackson Ward, Scott’s Addition, and Carytown. Due to the success of the Unity Ride, the Monday Bike Bros have popped up a Facebook page and Instagram to announce each Monday’s route. Everyone is invited to join the ride and conversation, while celebrating an inclusive Richmond.
Visit Marcus-David Peters Circle for an opportunity to redefine Richmond. You’ll find guerrilla gardening, people picnicking, basketball, music, dance, and community-wide conversation.
Meet this week’s guest editor, Vana Chupp. As the founder of Le Papier Studio, Vana wants to help Richmonders keep special memories close. Her RVA based product line celebrates present moments and turns them into heirlooms to be cherished and passed down to the next generation. Vana says her mission is to inspire joy and to always choose present over speed living. Take it away, Vana!
My family and I made Richmond our home 5 years ago. We’ve been so impressed with everything this city has to offer and often find ourselves bragging about it to our out-of-state friends. Richmond is indeed a wonderful place to raise children! Although life has taken some twists and turns since the current health crisis, I’ve tried to remain positive and focus on making lasting memories with my family - my husband and two boys, ages 15 and 8. With school being officially done (e-learning and all!), we are gearing up for making the most of our summer with some special, at-home activities while supporting local small businesses. Here are my three tips for celebrating this place we love to call home.
DIY Custom
Silhouettes
I’ve been using silhouettes to document my children’s growth for over a decade now. Not only that, but my boys have witnessed me hand-draw thousands of custom silhouettes for parents around the country, my customers at Le Papier Studio. Through this, my sons have come to understand first-hand the importance of making memories as a family.
This past month, I sat down with my youngest to create his very first custom silhouette. Despite the short attention span of an 8-year-old, he had so much fun outlining his profile and cutting his very own silhouette. It’s an easy and relatively fun activity the entire family can participate in.
We miss the experience of going to the movies every so often, but we didn’t want to let the pandemic ruin this family tradition. After a little planning and many hours of Pinterest browsing, we decided to create our own backyard movie theater! You can go as fancy or as low-key as you wish on this project. You will need a projector and screen (we like to use this one), some comfortable seating (try a mix of bean bags and plush cushions), string lights and some popcorn. This activity is fun for the whole family, but also a unique mom and dad at-home date night.
It Takes
a Village
My company Le Papier Studio recently launched a new campaign in which we will highlight a small, Black-owned business each quarter for a year. To start, we partnered with another Richmond small business, Little Nomad. Shop owner Anthony Bryant (pictured) carefully curates children’s clothes, gifts, toys, and books that are equal parts fun and functional. Le Papier Studio will match dollar-for-dollar every purchase from Little Nomad with a gift card from our shop through the end of September. Click the link below for more details.
Have you stumbled upon the Dear Richmond mailbox in the James River Park System yet? This community journaling project by Richmond Grid and Here Weekly is hidden along the trail and has quickly become a spot for quiet contemplation and reflection. From time to time we like to share some of the anonymous posts left by Richmonders—many of which document our current challenges as a community and as a nation, our hopes, our fears, and our appreciation for those pushing us forward.
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.
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