ASHLAND/ WESTERN HANOVER | Also serving the communities of Montpelier, Beaverdam, Rockville and Doswell
Community organizations seek funding for interactive exhibits By Christina Amano Dolan Editor Ashland Town Council recently heard requests from community organizations to fund a variety of desired projects for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Among the organizations present were representatives from CultureWorks, Inc. and the Ashland Museum, who introduced separate interactive display projects to bring innovative forms of storytelling to visitors and the community. The March 22 meeting was the second budget work session held by the council, with a portion of the schedule dedicated to community organization funding requests. “We sort of set up this quarter over the last number of years, giving each organization the opportunity to speak but not requiring that they attend this meeting,” said Matt Reynal, the town’s finance director.
Town administrator Josh Farrar clarified that no decisions were being made during the meeting; the requests offer the opportunity for citizens and council members to listen and ask questions. He said the decisions on funding requests will become available in the form of his recommended budget, which will be published sometime this week or next. “Prior to that being made public, I will be sure to personally reach out to everyone who’s asked for funds, whether it is how long they’ve been funded, not funded or funded through some percentage,” Farrar said. He said his recommended budget is largely based on citizen and council input, but there are opportunities to adjust the budget moving forward. Scott Garka, president of CultureWorks, Inc., presented the organization’s FY2023
Photos courtesy of the Ashland Museum
Above is the current appearance of the Ashland Museum pending planned renovations.
Above is the envisioned final product of the Ashland Museum, located at 105 Hanover Avenue, Ashland. Museum officials aim to paint the building a deep teal (not true to picture) and red in honor of Ashland’s town colors, decorate both sides with new signage and replace the damaged awnings.
funding request to continue its current pilot program of bringing interactive art displays to Ashland communities. CultureWorks is a nonprofit organization that serves the Richmond and Tri-Cities region, including Hanover County and the town of Ashland. Garka said the nonprofit’s mission is to “strengthen artists in arts and culture organizations to drive a greater impact in the community.” “And when we talk about impact, it’s education impact, economic impact and that social cohesion that helps build a stronger and healthier community,” Garka said. CultureWorks has been partnering with the Better Housing Coalition since 2016 to bring unique and accessible art experiences to modestincome communities each year. CultureWorks received $2,500 from the town’s general fund for FY2022 and is cur-
rently working with residents of Ashland’s Sedgefield community, Ashland staff and local artist Alfonso Perez to bring an interactive arts and culture experience this spring. Garka said an interactive outdoor event is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. May 12 at the Ashland Junction Shopping Center. Alfonso is creating a “mobile message of hope” in the form of an 18-by-24-foot mural. Community members will be invited to add their own color and creativity to pieces of artwork in the form of yard signs that will ultimately complete the mural. “And when those pieces come together, it reads a message of ‘Mi casa es su casa,’” Garka said. “It will offer a message of welcome and community healing, incorporating a celebration of color and Hispanic culture into the Sedgefield community logo.” CultureWorks is requesting see COMMUNITY, pg. 16
Hanover Arts and Activities Center hosting ‘Spring into Painting’
Ashland Museum’s HistoryTalks presents ‘Hanover County’s Three Railroads’ program Join the Ashland Museum when Art Taylor, president of the Hanover County Historical Society and author, presents the museum’s next HistoryTalks program on Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at the Pamunkey Regional Library Ashland Branch, 201 S. Railroad Avenue, Ashland. Taylor will talk about the early history of railroads in Hanover County and will have some railroad artifacts on display. This talk is free and open to the public. For any questions, leave a voice message at 804-368-7314 or email ashlandmuseum@ comcast.net. Photos courtesy of the Ashland Museum Shown is the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad tracks looking south from Submitted by Ashland Museum.
Contributed Report news@mechocal.com Beginning in April, the Hanover Arts & Activities Center (HAAC), located at 500 S Center Street, Ashland, will offer a weekly studio art class for all levels and in all media, such as oils, acrylics, watercolors or charcoal. Subjects will include a live model and still lifes. Weekly class will be limited to the first 15 people who register. The class will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on the following Mondays: April 11, 18, 25 and May 2. The one-time fee is $80 for all four classes. Classes will be conducted by Dan Bartges, a nationally-known artist and author whose artwork
College Avenue and Henry Clay Road.
The Mechanicsville Local
see PAINTING, pg. 16
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