As our friends at Keep Virginia Cozy like to say: Be kind. Smile at strangers. Pick up litter. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up three ideas for the weekend ahead to get out, to explore, and to celebrate the River City.
Socially Distant Earth Day
Keep Virginia Cozy, like everyone during this strange time, is working to find ways to stay active. That’s why, this year, the local nonprofit responsible for removing over 10,000 lbs. of litter and recycling from public spaces is hosting Socially Distant—EARTH DAY ANYWAY! (3 months later). The event is designed to clean the Belle Isle and Manchester area this Saturday and will kick off at 11 am. Participants are asked to wear a mask and all supplies will be provided for sprucing up the area. For added incentive, Keep Virginia Cozy will award prizes to those pulling in the heaviest bags of recyclables.
Mending Walls is a public art project that brings together public artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that encourage healing through public art while adding something meaningful to the conversation of Black Lives Matter. You can spot recent murals being created around town this summer (check out 300 E. Broad St. this weekend for a work in progress by Noah Scalin and Alfonso Pérez Acosta) as well as drop by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for a special pop-up Mending Walls exhibit. On display through September 7, the Mending Walls pop-up features a mural by Jowarnise Caston and Ian Hess. Their collaborative mural serves as a tribute to the late Marcus-David Peters and draws attention to racial and social injustices related to mental health.
Bring your mask and your dollar bills this Sunday to the parking lot of Diversity Richmond as the Drive-In Drag Show makes its mighty return. That’s right, the hostess with the mostess, Grace Wetpants, is back for another socially distanced drag show ($10 per car) benefiting Diversity Richmond. Since its inception, Diversity Richmond has distributed nearly $1,000,000 to area non-profit organizations working to strengthen the LGBTQ+ and Greater Richmond community. And make sure to return again in August for a new event in Diversity Richmond’s summer lineup -- Drive-In Karaoke! Practice your favorite song and wow the audience in the ongoing parking lot series.
We’ve teamed up with Double Image Studio to show kindness and appreciation for our local healthcare workers in a series of photos called Hope Heroes benefiting Central Virginia COVID-19 Relief Fund by Community Foundation.
Do it for others. Do it for love. Do it for kindness. We don’t really care why you do it — just Mask Up, RVA. Sporting a facemask isn’t political, it’s smart. It shows self-discipline and a commitment to community. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Nick Davis Photography to launch the “Mask Up, RVA” series. We’re combining powerful images and words that Nick has collected from local, small businesses responsible for creating a variety of face shields and masks that are helping us push through the current pandemic. These are the people who roll up their sleeves during a crisis. These are the people who proactively find solutions and look for ways to use their unique talents. These are the people that give us no excuse not to mask up.
Studio Two Three
Studio Two Three gives Richmonders the space, tools and classes they need to find that thing they love — and make it. Studio Two Three features studio facilities, co-making workspace, classes and workshops, community events, lectures, and artist memberships, just to name a few. Over the past 12 weeks, Studio Two Three has used its space and talents to make and distribute 10,000 masks. “We have long argued that artists have a unique capacity to use their hands and their creativity to address complex community issues,” explains Kate Fowler, development director of Studio Two Three. Fowler says the Scott’s Addition nonprofit recognized that they were fortunate to have the space and facilities to safely distance volunteers and coordinate a mask making effort driven by their committed community of artists who are skilled with their hands. It was a natural fit.
Matthew Hawthorne launched Wheelborne Bag Co. in 2015 in an effort to create motorcycle gear that could accentuate the timeless aesthetic of his favorite two-wheel machines. Today, his high-quality motorcycle bags are sought after for their rugged and durable design. Made in Richmond, Matt’s gear is designed to last a lifetime of adventure. All leatherwork that he cranks out is hand-punched, all fabric is hand-cut, and all hardware is hand-set. In recent months, Matt has turned these skills toward creating over 500 face masks that are not only stylish but durable. “Process is everything,” says Matt. “Quality and quantity ultimately meet at a crossroads and I think I’ve found a solid spot in between with the masks I’ve been making.”
Founded in 1969, Kenmore’s team of over 85 employees create large, medium and small envelopes from all paper types with special windows. They offer everything from large format printing, jet press and enhanced flexo printing to digital pre-press, die cutting and folding. And now, they make face shields – to the tune of 250,000 as part of the “Kenmore Cares” initiative. After seeing that PPE was in low supply, Kenmore realized they had the equipment and manpower to create face shields by using rolls of anti-fog plastic. The Kenmore team turns anti-fog rolls into flat sheets and puts them through their die-cutter to create individual shields. Everything following the cutting of the plastic is done by hand. The Kenmore team then places comfort foam, attaches elastic bands and individually wraps each shield. Kenmore has donated shields to hospitals, first responders, nurses, senior centers, dental offices, manufacturers and many small businesses. Send an email to donations@kenmore-envelope.com if you're in need.
Here Weekly and Richmond Grid will continue the "Mask Up, RVA" series in the weeks ahead featuring Shockoe Atelier, U-Fab, Morris & Norris, Jillian Rene, and more.
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.
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