fall 2012 newsletter Over 130 at-risk children served by Picture My World, Literacy Through Photography class
Voted the Best Art Studio by the News & Advance and the public
Voice of the Arts & Humanities Award for Cultural Organization Presented by the James River Council for the Arts & Humanities
Looking Back✽Looking Forward✽Riverviews is gearing up for its 10th year anniversary in 2013
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Riverviews CREATES COMMUNITY
Riverviews emerged in 2003 as a small but ambitious effort to enrich civic life through artists and art. Our growth since then reflects collaborations with individuals, community groups, other arts organizations, schools, and city agencies. Art programs created in this hybrid spirit generate participation that manifests through the creation of the programs themselves, and by inspiring people to engage on another throughout their experience with the work. Riverviews helps create a thriving arts environment that makes the region a better play to live, work and play
When we talk to someone who has attended an event at Riverviews, we often hear, “I can’t believe this [exhibition, film series] exists in Lynchburg.” Well, we can believe it—Lynchburg is full of exciting, vibrant people who clamor for opportunities to see art and connect with one another through their reactions to the art.
calendar Exhibitions n Erling Sjovold. This fall, we kick
off our exhibition schedule with the work of Erling Sjovold, a quintessential contemporary painter. In addition to a busy national exhibition schedule, he is currently teaching Drawing and Painting at University of Richmond. The works he will display at Riverviews mix realism and abstraction with a heavy SoCal element of fantasy. These are large scale painterly paintings that require a second and third look. September 7–October 21, 2012. n 4th Annual Juried Art Exhibition.
Curator Leah Stoddard will select artists of all media and backgrounds to represent the best the state of Virginia has to offer. In its 4th year, the Juried Show remains a crowd favorite. Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place. November 2–December 16, 2012.
It’s been a slow-burning romance for some years now. Quiet. Persistent. We both knew where things stood, but were afraid to say it. Well, I’m proud to say that we finally had the talk and now it’s official: Quintana is the official house band of Riverviews Artspace!
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Literary Lounge
Local Jazz and Latin band, Quintana has been playing at Riverviews since 2008, in various capacities. Whether they are fine-tuning their instruments to sound more ‘French cafe’ for our annual film festival, inviting the accompaniment of some fine local tap dancers, or jamming on a First Friday, they are a constant crowd favorite and a staple of the gallery. The gentlemen (and one amazing lady) who make up the band, come from a variety of backgrounds. Phil McCharen and Vlad David both work at Genworth Financial, Trish Hedges owns and manages an insurance company, and Albert is a professional musician. The group will often swap members in and out for various performances, but the result is always a fluid grouping of skill and enthusiasm. This fluidity and adaptability is part of the reason they just fit so well with Riverviews. They have played under giant inflatable sculptures, graciously shared the stage (and their sound equipment) with belly dancers, learned an entire repertoire of movie themes, sang impromptu ‘happy birthdays’ and requests, served as emcees, and turned the gallery into a dance floor on more than one occasion. For all this and more, we would like to thank Quintana and introduce them as Riverviews official house band. A special thank you Phil McCharen for getting the Riverviews-Quintana pairing started over 4 years ago. Thank you to Vlad David for keeping the energy up each and every time. Thank you to Trish Hedges for serving as the reigning “Queen” of the band, and to Albert, Benny, Carlos, Lynwood, and Freddie for filling our space with your amazing musical talent. An interview with Vlad David is online: http://www.riverviews.net/ riverviews-people/vlad-david/
The Art Mart: Fall Fundraiser: November 2, 2012 “Gently used” art and jewelry at small prices can be yours! Generous area collectors are donating art and jewelry from their own collections for this Art Mart that benefits the public programs at Riverviews. For more information or if you have some “gently used” art and jewelry you would like to donate, please call 847-7277 or email: maryann@riverviews.net.
This year, our Third Thursday program evolved into The Literary Lounge. The idea of our revamped “Lounge” is to offer audience members an opportunity to hear great work presented by renowned authors in a relaxed environment. Just for good measure, we’ve thrown in an ample portion of music, a pinch or performance, and a dash of food, wine, and beer. Always free and open to the public! n Bunny Goodjohn and friends.
Randolph College professor Bunny Goodjohn, and writers from the Stonecoast MFA program will answer questions about regional MFA programs. Friday, October 19, 7:30pm. n Lynchburg College. Student writers and musicians will read original work and play music. November 15, 7:30pm.
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Riverviews is proud to support the activities of the James River Council of the Arts and Humanities by providing office and meeting space. Riverviews encourages everyone to join the arts council as an artist, organization, or supporter.
FIRST FRIDAYS n Lynchburg’s monthly progressive art
parties take place at Riverviews and many other venues throughout the Arts and Cultural District and beyond. Live music, children’s activities, art and more art. Every First Friday, 5:30-8pm.
Film Programs Independent, documentaries and foreign films are shown regularly in our intimate film theatre with comfy chairs. Check website for updates.
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Lynell & Rudy Hilt Riverviews Tenant Artists Spotlight
Griessmayer
interview with Lynell Hilt by Erin Stover, Exhibitions and Program Manager
Riverviews Welcomes Two New Board Members Daryl Calfee, Senior Art Director for Prototype Advertising. After a two year stint in the NYC marketing world, Daryl now produces branded art, video and photography for hundreds of national and regional clients including Foot Locker, Centra Health and Liberty University. Daryl and his wife Johanna are also partners in several business and media companies. They reside in Lynchburg.
Pegeen Griessmayer I was born in Brooklyn, NY, the middle child. I have an older sister, and a younger brother. We were all raised in a one bedroom apartment on a wonderful street in beautiful Bay Ridge. I have 16 years of women’s Catholic education and that is why I am so good and holy. I have lived in 5 fabulous states... NY, CA, CT, NC, and of course Virginia. I have had a multitude of careers and enjoyed every one of them. I taught, worked on Wall St watching the Twin Towers go up, was Volunteer Services and Asst Chaplain at RMWC and now sell wine in Lynchburg or as I call it my big dose of reality. I have a 34 year old daughter, her wonderful husband and their boys, 3 and 5. My son is 39 years old and is a professional writer living in Roanoke. I love all of the art venues in Lynchburg and First Fridays especially. Downtown Lynchburg is alive and well and so welcoming.
What do you like most about working at Riverviews? I am really enjoying all the friendly people. I also am glad to have a big studio where I can spread out while I’m working and look out the window to see the river below. How did you end up in Lynchburg… and at Riverviews? I was actually born in Lynchburg. Rudy was originally from Pennsylvania and we met there in college. We’ve lived in Arizona for the past 16 years and just moved to Lynchburg a few months ago. It was a perfect fit because I still have family in the area. Rudy is actually working with my relative Proctor Harvey (!) at Harvey Design Land Architects. We also live downtown and are enjoying the fact that Lynchburg has that feel of being in a city without being in a city. Can you tell me about any projects coming up that have you particularly excited? I’m looking forward to joining the Coop and getting involved with some other local shops. Rudy is working on a number of projects, including SAGE (Streetscape Appearance Green Enhancement) with HDLA, a largescale light design project for a club, and some house designs.
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How do you think living in Lynchburg will affect your work? I’m going to try to introduce elements from Arizona to Lynchburg, particularly copper and turquoise jewelry which you don’t see as much of here. Rudy is already off to a great start—he’s completed 7 paintings since we arrived! Do you and your husband collaborate or just try to stay out of each other’s ‘creative way’? We certainly collaborate and have been since college. While we both have our own individual projects, we do collaborate on home designs where Rudy oversees the architectural and structural elements and I work on the design and interior elements. What’s the first thing you did when you got in your space today? Made a cup of coffee, finished a pair of earrings, and started prepping for First Friday!
47 Riverviews supports arts activity by providing studio and living spaces for artists. There are 47 artists in 55 units!
For Jan Gray, her love of craftsmanship came naturally. Her grandfather was a tailor, her grandmother and mother, seamstresses and her father, a woodworker. Her mother would say “if you never try anything harder, you’ll never get any better,” so she purchased her first spinning wheel and eventually went on to learn weaving. Her husband built a timber frame shop for her and Horseshoe Neck Handweavers was born. Jan loves every part of the process-picking colors, threading the loom, throwing the shuttle, and watching the finished material wind its way around until yards of material are hanging down.
nonprofit org. U.S. Postage Paid lynchburg, VA permit #841
901 Jefferson Street, #113 Lynchburg, VA 24504
give for art
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A thriving arts organization doesn’t happen by accident. In addition to vision and hard work, it takes money. Exhibition costs need to be off-set, gallery heating and light bills need to be paid, staff needs to be paid, artists, writers, and film-makers need to support their work, equipment needs updates and repairs, printed materials need to be produced and mailed. Without these things and many more, Lynchburg wouldn’t enjoy the benefits of an arts environment that makes this a great place to live and an attractive destination for visitors. Contributing to Riverviews creates a ripple effect of benefits for the entire community, Even if the arts aren’t your thing, you will benefit through a safer, more robust neighborhood and economy.
Please Give Generously To Riverviews Today! Online at www.riverviews. net/giving or mail a check to: Riverviews, 901 Jefferson Street, #113, Lynchburg, VA 24504
2011
Riverviews Artspace thanks our 2011 supporters Connoisseur $1000+ Anonymous Lynchburg Retail Merchants Foundation Dr. Cecilia & Mr. Andrew MacCallum Riverviews Artists Co-op Virginia Commission for the Arts Virginia Film Office Aficionado $400-999 Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Agnew Mr. Shann Arrington Mr. & Mrs. Michael Buhler Ms. Margie Lippard Mr. & Mrs. Robert MacCallum Moore & Giles Northwestern Mutual Matthew L. Lloyd Pathology Consultants of Central Virginia Mr. Don Pendleton The Hon. & Mrs. Elliot Schewel Ms. Linda Edwards & Mr. Jim Sikkema Wiley & Wilson Devotee $250-499 Areva N.P. Inc. Bank of the James Drs. Terry & Robert Brennan Brownstone Properties CB Fleet & Co. Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gray Old Dominion Box Co. Foundation Inc. Watts Petroleum Company Enthusiast $100-249 Ms. Naomi Amos Ms. Ann App Mr. & Mrs. Paul Boothby Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Bowden Mr. & Mrs. John Bower Mr. & Mrs. Frank Britt Campbell Insurance Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Cardwell Mr. & Mrs. Gary Clark Ms. Laura Dupuy Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Echols Mr. & Mrs. Joe Gantt Dr. & Mrs. Carl Hester Mr. & Mrs. Royce Husted Mr. & Mrs. Russ Jensen Mr. & Mrs. Tom Jividen
STAY CONNECTED: www.riverviews.net
Dr. Laura Brooks & Dr. Joseph Khoury Mr. & Mrs. Peter Marcy Meriwether-Godsey Inc. Mr. & Mrs. James Muehlemann Mr. & Mrs. Alex Newmark Dr. & Mrs. Robert Oldham Mr. & Mrs. R.Gregory Porter III Mr. & Mrs. David Royer Mrs. Richard Royer Mr. Mort Sajadian Mr. Marc Schewel Mrs. Helene Schewel Mr. & Mrs. William Schneider Mr. John Shepard Ms Lisa Taylor
Friend $10-99 Anonymous Mr. Larry Bassett Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Brooks Mr. Robert E. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Frank Buhler Ms. Caryl Burtner Dr. & Mrs. Tom Carrico Mr. James Carrington Ms. Annette Chenault Mr. & Mrs. Robert Clarke The Honorable & Mrs. John Cook Mrs. Ruth Ann Edwards Ms. Linda Eubank Dr. & Mrs. Ron Fisher Mrs. Mickey Freeman Dr. & Mrs. Bill Goodman Ms. Nancy Gray & Ms. Jean Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Everett Heath Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Huiner Ms. Heidi Koring Mr. & Mrs. Parker Lee III Mr. & Mrs. Michael Madden Ms. Annie Clendenon & Mr. Tim Miles Ms. Beth Packert & Mr. Richard Burke Dr. Cary & Mr. Robert Roberts Mrs. Charles Sackett Ms. Mary Sadler Mr. & Mrs. Kent A. Smack Mr. & Mrs. Kent Van Allen Mr. & Mrs. Steve Vessels Ms. Peggy Whitaker
In KIND Donations Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Agnew Ms. Naomi Amos Dr. & Mrs. William Andrews Dr. & Mrs. Sam Baum Mr. & Mrs. Paul Boothby Bowens Jewelry Mr. & Mrs. Frank Britt Mr. & Mrs. Frank Buhler Catalanos Deli Mr. C. Lynch Christian III Corset Corner Mr. & Mrs. Hal Craddock Karen Davies Mr. & Mrs. Tim Harris Mrs. Frances Heiner Mrs. Joan Jones Ms. Margie Lippard Mr. & Mrs. Robert MacCallum Dr. Cecilia & Mr. Andrew MacCallum Mr. & Mrs. Woody McKensie Mr. & Mrs. Frank Morrison Ms. Makanah Morriss Dr. Maria Nathan Mr. & Mrs. Alex Newmark Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Nygaard Mrs. Ariel Oliver Ms. Beth Packert & Mr. Richard Burke Mr. & Mrs. William Painter Ms. Mary Ann Racin & Mr. Eric Billard The Hon. & Mrs. Elliot Schewel Ms. Lynn Shapiro Ms. Rina Shere & Mr. Rex Talbott Ms. Linda Edwards & Mr. Jim Sikkema The Parlor Mr. & Mrs. William Tucker Ms. Elizabeth Vanderburgh Mr. John Wingfield
In Honor of Naomi Amos Joan & Bob MacCallum Peter, Arielou & Brooke Marcy Mary Ann Racin Marjette & T Upshur In memoriam Emlyn Edwards Mrs. Troy Vessells