Broad Street in Richmond bustles with hip college students, foodies and art enthusiasts on the first Friday of each month. The cinderblock city walls have become an artistic outlet, and those walls now hold more evidence of the artistry of Richmond locals. “First Fridays,” as it is appropriately titled, is an art walk that takes place in the city’s Art District between Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Monroe Park Campus and Downtown Richmond.
Students of Longwood University often relent that Farmville is “in the middle of nowhere,” but that is hardly true. In reality, this small college town is sandwiched between two thriving metropolises – Charlottesville to the North, and Richmond to the East – each a little over an hour’s drive from Farmville.
While Charlottesville is regularly and historically held as a cultural center, our state’s capital has often been thrown under the bus as, “dingy and dangerous,” with more than twice the crime rate of the rest of the Commonwealth. However, in 2011 Richmond began a process of rebranding and refurbishing, starting with the creation of that “RVA” bumper sticker that seems to be emblazoned on every car, telephone pole and bicycle within spitting distance of the city.
According to their website, “RVA Creates” is the stronghold behind this revitalization, seeking to “create a stronger identity for Richmond,” by creating an “open source experiment in identity and creativity that the community can own … creativity is both the fuel for individual achievement and the key ingredient for a successful city.” First Fridays have become the outlet for that creative fervor.
Galleries, shops, restaurants, non-profits and more open their doors in celebration of art and community. Streets fill up as people mill from food truck to gallery opening and even to the local market sponsored by GrowRVA, another company catapulted by the city’s identity renewal, which connects local growers to Richmond locals. The local J. Fergeson Gallery, located off of Main Street in Farmville, even made an appearance at the art walk in June of 2011.
For students with means of transportation, First Fridays are a great, free option for a Friday afternoon. If you’re interested in poetry, sculptures, books or just a unique cup of coffee, RVA is the place to be. You can get a peek into what a typical First Friday looks like on their Instagram, @rvafirstfridays. To find out about upcoming events, check out their website, www.rvafirstfridays.com. The next art walk will take place during Longwood’s Spring Break, on Friday, March 7.
