News

Maya Smart

During the 80 years that the Richmond Times-Dispatch has sponsored the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, readers have donated more than $7.5 million to provide toys, clothing, food and other assistance during the holidays for needy families and children.

This year, in addition to its traditional collaboration with the Salvation Army, the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund has expanded its efforts to serve a broader community through a new partnership with The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia.

A competitive grant initiative called “80 Years-80 Ways” will award at least $80,000 to local organizations for Christmas-related programs and services.

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The Richmond (VA) Chapter was proud to be a sponsor and participate in the Enduring Legacy of L. Douglas Wilder symposium. The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs will commemorated the 25th anniversary of the election of its namesake with an educational symposium on Dec. 4. The symposium featured an analysis of Wilder’s landmark 1989 election and 1990-94 administration by historians and members of the national press.

Thank you Lois and Delores for making all of us remember “Thats What Links Are For” at the November Meeting!

The Richmond (VA) Chapter’s President, Dr. Jill Bussey-Harris; 1st Vice President, Marilyn House West and Connecting Link, Dr. Monroe Harris were photographed by the Richmond Times Dispatch at the Opening Night of The Color Purple. Below is the article from the Richmond Times Dispatch and go here to view the pictures.

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Virginia Repertory Theatre celebrated opening night of “The Color Purple” in grand style at the November Theatre on Friday, June 20. More than 450 patrons and special guests enjoyed the memorable evening. “The Color Purple,” starring Felicia Curry, Desiree Roots Centeio, Jerold Solomon and Josh Marin, runs through Aug. 3. Ticket information is available at virginiarep.org or 282-2620

by Nicole Gilpin Hood, PhD, chapter journalist for Richmond (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated

Crowds Outside of a Fashionable Negro Church After Easter Sunday

The line to view the photography exhibition stretched almost to the Atrium, and museum visitors clutched passes to the exhibit like golden tickets to the greatest exhibition on earth. At the end of the afternoon, 2,500 visitors came to see the show that envisions, foregrounds, privileges, and documents African American constructions of identity and beauty. It was a phenomenal afternoon.

The desire to be viewed as beautiful is among the strongest desires of the human heart. Not frivolous or shallow, it’s a desire to be both seen and valued. And museums are the places where modern cultures express their communal understanding of beauty. Curator Deborah Willis comprehends this desire and her exhibition examines both the desire and the historically constructed nature of beauty within African American culture. It is an unquestionably powerful show that asks compelling questions. Posing Beauty and the companion show Identity Shifts (curated locally by VMFA associate curator Sarah Eckhardt) are showing that Richmond clearly appreciates African American beauty and is hungry for that validation.

“You know what’s interesting?” my friend Christina Draper said to me as we people-watched on Saturday afternoon, “I’ve heard so many people commenting that they’ve never been here before.” Christina and I grew up together here in Richmond, very close to VMFA. Our mothers are friends and they dragged both of us to the museum on hot summer afternoons—for art classes and workshops from the time we were very young. Their influence yielded results: I’m an art historian and teacher and Christina is also an arts educator and administrator. We’re also both members of the Richmond Chapter of the Links, Inc., a group of African American women engaged in community service, who sponsored the events at Family Day.

So when Christina made her observation, I thought for a minute and responded, “But how amazing that all of these people are here today. Isn’t it great that this exhibit brings people in here who’ve never come before?” “It’s your art,” the VMFA tagline seen on many publications and advertisements, was never truer than on Saturday. And maybe those who came for the first time on Saturday will come back for another exhibition or event. I hope so. I really do.

Inspired by the generosity of Richmond (VA) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, and made possible by the sponsorship of Dominion, the Julia Louise Reynolds Fund and the Miles family, Posing Beauty is now free on Thursdays (tickets required). Encourage your friends who have never visited to stop by!

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