Right Around the River Blog
Art 180 Displays Artwork at Rocketts Landing
Post Date: 11-29-2011
At Rocketts Landing, art and everyday life frequently coincide. From our Deep Water Sponger sculpture overlooking the James River to the Cedar Works art gallery showcasing Richmond-based artists (and sometimes, even residents!) and more, you could say creativity is a way of life at Rocketts Landing. And next week, Art 180 will bring their newest installation project, "What Do You Stand For?" to our community for an inspiring month-long outdoor display.
A local nonprofit, Art 180 dedicates their efforts to "providing art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change." And from our perspective, "What Do You Stand For?"-- created in collaboration with Higher Achievement and six local artists -- perfectly encapsulates their mission and challenges both young people and the community to reflect on what drives our aspirations, individually and collectively.
On December 5, Art 180 will install 31, eight-by-four-foot-tall pieces of plywood in various locations throughout Rocketts Landing. Each piece is painted with the artist’s portrait on one side and their statement of what they stand for on the other. And aside from six works created by local artists, sixth-grade students created all the artwork.
“It’s a challenge to capture who you are and what you stand for,” says Art 180 Program Director Betsy Kelly. “[The artwork] is a great reminder about the commonalities we all share.”
It’s also a reminder about individuality and the importance of standing up for what you believe in — even if you end up standing alone. To further capture these individual perspectives, the show will also include a plywood-turned-chalkboard for observers to write on and answer what they personally stand for.
As a traveling installation, “What Do You Stand For?” will be on display at Rocketts Landing from December 5 through January 9, before moving elsewhere throughout the city.
“We’re really excited to be in Rocketts Landing,” says Betsy. “Between the residents who live there and people coming to enjoy the restaurants and the river, we’re just really pleased to share the artwork with the community.”
So, whether you’re a Rocketts Landing resident or visitor, be sure to experience the installation while it’s here. We’re sure you’ll walk away inspired — and reminded of what you believe in.
Photos courtesy of Art 180.