UofR sponsors downtown artwalk “First Fridays”
The University of Richmond has been known for its excellent programming at Modlin Center and has decided to “move downtown” by sponsoring the First Fridays artwalk.
Kathy Panoff, executive director of the Modlin Center, says one goal, as sponsor, is to let people know the depths of Modlin’s programming in the performing and visual arts.
She wants to cultivate the “super-hip” downtown audience, and Newton wants to expose First Fridays audiences to what the Modlin has to offer.
Please contrast the lack of support that the city of Richmond gives the grassroots Curated Culture — which has rehabbed downtown successfully where expensive “white elephant” projects have failed — with the $25 million and $500,000-a-year giveaway that the city plans for the CenterStage project. It is shameful.
Amen to Mr. Harrison’s comment re: the lack of city support.
Two notes to consider: 1) eighth blackbird has been scheduled to perform at Nov First Friday for since spring, the Modlin Center has not “provided” them. They are also performing for the ticketed ticketed opening (see art6 and artspace websites for info). We are actively seeking sponsors to donate money and restaurants to donate food for the ThinkSmall show for Nov and Dec.
2)The ‘holiday window displays’ means art in windows of vacant buildings- the city promised the art galleries could fill those ugly places months ago, we’re ready right now and have been!
The people come, the events happen in spite of city government and the bloated-budget Centerstage organization.
Thanks to Christina’s hard work and countless volunteer hours by local artists, we’ve made it happen.
The Modlin Center is, in fact, covering the costs for eighth blackbird to perform at Art 6 for the opening of their “Think Small” exhibition and in pre and post First Fridays Art Walk concerts also scheduled for Art 6.