vol. 286 / ConnectionExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 286 / Connection
Meet this week’s guest editor, Hamilton Glass. Before he became one of Richmond’s most recognized public artists, Hamilton spent years shaping spaces through architecture and design. That experience still informs his work today, as he continues to create art that connects people, stories, and community.
One of the things Hamilton enjoys most is creating projects that lift up and reflect the voices of Richmond. In 2020, he founded Mending Walls RVA, a project born out of the civil unrest and pandemic that were gripping the country. It became a way for him to process current events and create a platform that encourages empathy and connection through collaborative public artwork. His goal has always been to use art as a healing tool that connects, uplifts, and inspires the people around him.
Over the past year, Hamilton has taken an important step in his artistic journey by building a new studio space dedicated to personal and exploratory work. While public art remains an important part of his practice, Hamilton is now creating space to explore new directions and experiment with different mediums that reflect his personal interests and creative vision. His new studio serves as both a place of focus and discovery, where he can push boundaries, take risks, and create art that feels true to his identity as an artist.
This week, Hamilton joins us as guest editor to share his tips for exploring, celebrating, and connecting with this creative place we all love to call home.
Check out more from Dr. Gibson in her new podcast series, The Six Lessons of From The Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture. In this series, Dr. Gibson traces the history of the movement and introduces listeners to the writers, artists, and creators who revisit the past as they build new visions for the future. From the work of pioneering Black writers like W. E. B. Du Bois to the blockbuster Black Panther films and beyond, Afrofuturism emerges as an ongoing cultural project that grows stronger and more multifaceted with each new generation of creators.
Vitals:
The Art of Storytelling: Afrofuturism and Pop Culture / Thursday, October 9, 2025, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. / Richmond Public Library (Main Branch), Gellman Room, 101 E. Franklin Street
Manchester Murals
In early 2025, the Manchester Alliance and Hull Street Merchants, with funding from the service district administered by Venture Richmond, launched a mural project for Hull Street. The goal was to enhance the vibrant public art scene in Manchester while also addressing blight and graffiti and uplifting local businesses.
As part of this effort, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Matt Lively on one of three new murals taking shape along Hull Street this year at 927, 1211, and 1437. The other murals are being created by S. Ross Brown, and by Ross Trimmer of SureHand Signs with Mickael Broth, also known as Nightowl. These pieces join other great works by Silly Genius and Art City Art Club that have appeared on Hull Street in recent months.
It’s inspiring to see so much creative energy coming together on Hull Street this year. Each new piece adds to the story of a neighborhood that continues to grow, connect, and celebrate its community through art.
Vitals:
Hull Street (Manchester), murals located at 927, 1211, and 1437 Hull Street / Follow along here for updates
Trust Building/s Empatica
Trust Building/s is a collaborative community mural project by Alfonso Perez Acosta and Noah Scalin, created in partnership with Mending Walls and One Small Step (a StoryCorps project). Inspired by their collaboration on the 2020 Mending Walls mural project, artists Acosta and Scalin have reconnected to explore the power of interdependence and intersectionality. Together, they are continuing this conversation with the community by producing a series of four new murals, each based on one of the meaningful pillars of trust building: Consistency, Reliability, Honesty, and Empathy.
To create each mural, the artists are working directly with teams of participants from the One Small Step project. One Small Step brings together strangers with different political views for facilitated conversations — not to debate politics, but to better understand one another as people. This partnership allows past conversation participants another opportunity for dialogue and connection, aligning with the goals of the artists and the mission of Mending Walls.
The first of the four mural projects was completed in May of this year at 1118 Main Street. Trust Building/s is now at work on its second installation, Empatica, located at 211 N. 18th Street.
Vitals:
Murals at 1118 Main Street and 211 N. 18th Street / Mending Walls RVA
More about Hamilton:
As Hamilton continues to evolve as an artist, his focus has turned toward creating more personal and introspective work that reflects his individual vision and growth. His new studio has become a place of exploration, a space where he can experiment freely, and test new ideas.
While public art remains an important part of his practice, this chapter represents a return to the studio, where process and reflection guide the work. Along the way, he's inviting others into this next stage. Hamilton is actively seeking to connect with collectors and collaborators who value meaning, connection, and bold personal expression in contemporary art. Whether through his studio explorations or through custom commissions, he’s excited to build relationships that continue his lifelong pursuit of art that brings people together.
vol. 285 / PrideExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 285 / Pride
This week's guest editor is Amanda Blatnikserves as Chair of Virginia Pride, leading volunteers to organize Pridefest and events that celebrate Richmond's LGBTQ+ community.
Since joining the committee in 2024, Amanda has created the inaugural Pride Week (September 20-28), expanding the celebration with diverse programming designed to offer something for everyone. Amanda is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where people can celebrate their authentic selves.
Professionally, Amanda is a Senior Management Analyst for the City of Richmond's Department of Economic Development, bringing 15 years of nonprofit and government experience in project management and process improvement.
Amanda loves living life to the fullest - enjoying Richmond's great food scene, dancing with friends, and taking walks in the city's parks. They're also a self-proclaimed nerd who enjoys fantasy shows, Dungeons & Dragons, and comic conventions.
Take it away, Amanda ...
Pride Anthem Karaoke at Barcode
Sing it loud, sing it proud! Celebrate Pride with a special edition of Barcode’s weekly karaoke night, featuring an endless catalog of queer icons and anthems - Cher, Tina, Gaga, Madonna, Chappell Roan, Tracy Chapman, k.d. lang, and more. Plus, enter the midnight raffle for a chance to win Pridefest VIP tickets. (And if you catch the karaoke bug, Barcode hosts it every Thursday!)
Vitals:
Pride Anthem Karaoke / Thursday, September 25 / 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM / Barcode, 6 E Grace St, Richmond, VA
Pride After Dark at Thirsty’s
Who needs sleep the night before Pridefest? Not us! Pride After Dark brings the party to Forest Hill with vendors, drag entertainment, dancing, and more at Thirsty’s, the small but mighty gay bar owned by Keyan Herron and his husband Cameron. This 18+ event celebrates Pride’s sultry side—so come ready to shop, cheer, and let loose, because Pride doesn’t end when the sun goes down.
Vitals:
Pride After Dark / Friday, September 26 / 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM / Thirsty’s, 3516 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA / $10 suggested donation
Pride Bowling Bash
Close out Pride Week with strikes, spares, and spectacular drag flair. Drag superstar Mhiya LePaige - famed for her acrobatics and high-energy performances - takes the stage, while local legend Alvion Davenport hosts. Plus, appearances from the fabulous 2025 VA Pride Court. And yes, there will be plenty of bowling.
Vitals:
Pride Bowling Bash / Sunday, September 28 / 4:00 – 8:00 PM / River City Roll, 939 Myers St, Richmond, VA / $25 tickets
More about Virginia Pride:
Virginia Pride celebrates diversity, is committed to seeking equity and inclusion for all in the LGBTQ+ community, and seeks to make our region a better place for LGBTQ+ people to live, work, and visit.
Virginia Pride’s priority is to create experiences that embrace individuals of all identities as well as intentionally working to elevate those of our LGBTQ+ community that are disproportionately impacted including people of color, trans individuals, and those that identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming.
vol. 284 / TaylorExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 284 / Taylor
This week's guest editor is Taylor Scott, a community organizing powerhouse! Originally planning to join the FBI, Taylor found her calling in grassroots organizing and mutual aid work. In 2020, she founded RVA Community Fridges after her hydroponic garden's abundant harvest sparked her understanding of food systems and community needs.
What began as one fridge in Church Hill, created with friends, has grown into 15 locations across Richmond, with a focus on communities affected by redlining and food apartheid. Scott has helped establish community fridges throughout Virginia and beyond. She also co-runs Matchbox Mutual Aid, a brick-and-mortar kitchen space that partners with Richmond Food Not Bombs to host community cook days, events, and free food-based courses.
A New Orleans native who now calls Richmond home, Taylor enjoys fiber arts like sewing, crocheting, and knitting. She shares her space with Serrano, a 3-year-old Red Foot Tortoise named after the pepper.
Take it away, Taylor ...
Fund the Fridge Concert ft. Erin Lunsford and Deau Eyes
Experience an evening of live music and community care at this special pop-up show, featuring performances by Richmond favorites Erin Lunsford and Deau Eyes, with all proceeds supporting the #35thStFridge — a vital neighborhood resource providing free food and essentials. Come out, enjoy the music, and help keep the fridge full.
Bring your needlework and join a welcoming community of stitchers for an afternoon of cross-stitch, embroidery, and sewing. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned maker, this casual gathering is all about sharing skills, stories, and creative company over coffee.
Roll up your sleeves and cook for the community! Join RVA Community Fridges at Matchbox Mutual Aid for an evening of preparing meals that will stock local community fridges and feed neighbors in need. A great way to connect, share skills, and support mutual aid in action.
Vitals:
RVA Community Fridges Cook Day / Tuesday, September 23 / 5:00 – 8:00 PM / Matchbox Mutual Aid, 2919 North Ave.
More about RVA Community Fridges:
The RVA Community Fridges are open to everyone in the community — take what you need or give what you can. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, the fridges are maintained by community members just like you.
Donations can be made at rvacommunityfridges.com, where voting is currently open for future fridge locations. Community members can submit new location suggestions and vote on existing proposals.
Join Taylor and her team at upcoming community cook days, classes, and events. Stay connected through their Discord and follow @rvacommunityfridges on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
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