arts in the alley
We have a separate blog for Arts in the Alley, but it’s becoming such a crucial part of who we are that I want to mention it here as well. The basic idea:
“Take a downtown alley. You know, one of those that runs behind things and tends to collect weeds, and trash, and graffiti. Spend a day cleaning it up (removing weeds, and trash, and graffiti), and the next day throw an arts festival in the same alley, with live music, art on display, and mural painting. We did our first one this past August, cleaned up two downtown Richmond alleys, and painted no fewer than 26 murals in those alleys. Who “we” are? A group of Richmond artists – musicians, graphic designers, photographers, painters – and residents who want to make a small but tangible difference in this city. Some of us were born and raised here – some came from other parts of the country or even different countries. We live in the city, in the counties, north and south of the River. We all love Richmond and want to do our part to make it an even better place.”
We did our first two alleys – Walnut Alley and Whitlock Alley in Shockoe Bottom – in August, and we had more than 150 volunteers over the course of the weekend, cleaned two alleys, and painted 26 different murals. a few pictures:
Rebecca at Arts in the Alley
Artist and Offering-sound-crew-member Cindy Warren working on the Alley Katz mural
Working on the Kids' Mural!
Part of the Kids' Mural
Interesting, we’ve done almost the same thing in Toronto, Canada. Now trying to promote it here in Ottawa. Would like to talk more with you on details of what you did. I’ll comment on Arts in the alley too.