1964-2014: Fifty Years of Art Anniversary Archive
The James River Art League is one of the oldest art groups in Richmond. It was organized in 1964 by members of a painting class taught by Helen Hull Bailey. Through her persuasion, an art league was formed south of the James River; early meetings were held in a small white house on the grounds of Westover Hills School. The membership grew and soon the League included artists from both sides of the James River. Today, JRAL remains anchored in Greater Richmond, although we have members from throughout Central Virginia.
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Anniversary Book and Painting Apron! JRAL celebrated throughout 2014 with special programs, events, exhibits, and community gifts. Two features of the celebration were James River Art League -- 50 Years of Art!, a 40-page book that chronicles our history from 1964 to the present; and a commemorative painting apron embroidered with "Fifty Years of Art...and Counting!" Members who have not yet purchased their books or aprons will be able to do so until supplies are exhausted; contact Elizabeth Hood or Gigi Vranian for more information.
Celebration Party! Culminating a year-long commemoration of our 50 years of art in the Richmond area, October 16, 2014, was the date of JRAL's main anniversary celebration with an early evening party at Richmond Country Club. The gala event featured substantial hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, VIP guests, and very special door prizes (see below). |
Area Businesses Donated Prizes For JRAL's 50th Anniversary Celebration
The James River Art League held its 50th Anniversary Celebration Party on October 16th at the Richmond Country Club. Area merchants generously donated the following items to be given as door prizes at the celebration. Thanks to these Friends of the Art League for their support!
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$50 gift certificate, artist apron and tote
10% discount on 50th Anniversary supplies $100 gift card $50 gift certificate for class or workshop; $50 gift certificate for framing; matting of donated Youngblood print Two $50 gift certificates and a decorative mirror Four guest passes to the Garden $50 gift card and miscellaneous art supplies Archival framing of William Youngblood original painting One year dual/family membership (value: $85) Original Youngblood watercolor and several prints (see story below) |
Other door prizes were donated by JRAL members, including specially labeled "artistic beverages," hand-crafted jewelry, and a year's free JRAL membership. A highlight of member donations was small original works of art by Art League members, all to be given as prizes.
JRAL Began Celebrating its 50th Anniversary In March 2014
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The James River Art League celebrated its 50th Anniversary during 2014. We kicked off our year-long commemoration with a special group exhibit in the Sidecar Gallery at Crossroads Art Center; the exhibit honored "Richmond -- The River City" with paintings of iconic sites in the Greater Richmond area. At right are photos from the opening night public reception on March 21st.
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James River Art League Awards Scholarship
Part of the mission of the James River Art League is to promote artistic growth not only of its member artists, but throughout the community as well. JRAL has a long tradition of recognizing the young artists of the Greater Richmond area and providing awards to help them develop their talents.
In honor of our 50th Anniversary, this year JRAL has granted a $500 scholarship to a high school senior art student who plans to continue studying art in college. Working with the art educators of George Wythe High School, the City of Richmond's School for the Arts, a committee of jurors from the Art League identified Shakira Squire as the school's Outstanding Art Student of the Year. Her artwork was recognized by the jurors as showing "great vitality, joy, and passion." Shakira receives the JRAL scholarship in the form of a gift certificate to be used for art supplies to help her pursue her studies.
Shakira began attending J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College this fall, with plans to study visual arts and culinary science. We congratulate her as recipient of the 2014 JRAL scholarship, and hope all the best for Shakira in her future endeavors.
In honor of our 50th Anniversary, this year JRAL has granted a $500 scholarship to a high school senior art student who plans to continue studying art in college. Working with the art educators of George Wythe High School, the City of Richmond's School for the Arts, a committee of jurors from the Art League identified Shakira Squire as the school's Outstanding Art Student of the Year. Her artwork was recognized by the jurors as showing "great vitality, joy, and passion." Shakira receives the JRAL scholarship in the form of a gift certificate to be used for art supplies to help her pursue her studies.
Shakira began attending J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College this fall, with plans to study visual arts and culinary science. We congratulate her as recipient of the 2014 JRAL scholarship, and hope all the best for Shakira in her future endeavors.
William Youngblood Family Donates Original Youngblood Watercolor
& Several Prints to JRAL's Anniversary Celebration
"Bridge at Woodbury Mill Pond", William A. Youngblood
Judy Youngblood Lane and her sister, Amy Youngblood Karnolt, have donated an original painting by their late father, JRAL charter member William Youngblood, to the James River Art League to honor the League’s 50th Anniversary. The archival framing of the painting is being accomplished and donated to JRAL by Rick Michaels, master framer and co-owner of Rick’s Custom Frame & Gallery, 5702 Patterson Avenue, Richmond. Together the painting and frame will form the cornerstone of prizes to be awarded at the James River Art League's 50th Anniversary Celebration in October at the Richmond Country Club.
The Youngblood family has also donated several of their father's prints to the League to be used as additional prizes. One of the prints, "Mill Door and Wheel", will have professional matting donated by For Art's Sake Gallery, Studio, and Frame Shop, Gayton Crossing Shopping Center.
Artist William A. Youngblood, was a charter member of the James River Art League in 1964, and active in the League until his death in 2009. He is remembered by the League today in many ways, including through the League’s William A. Youngblood Award for Meritorious Service.
The Youngblood family has also donated several of their father's prints to the League to be used as additional prizes. One of the prints, "Mill Door and Wheel", will have professional matting donated by For Art's Sake Gallery, Studio, and Frame Shop, Gayton Crossing Shopping Center.
Artist William A. Youngblood, was a charter member of the James River Art League in 1964, and active in the League until his death in 2009. He is remembered by the League today in many ways, including through the League’s William A. Youngblood Award for Meritorious Service.
JRAL's 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee
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Co-Chairs
Lois Shipley Gigi Vranian |
Committee
Betty Brinser, Betty Eddowes, Elizabeth Hood, Stella Jones, Mary Kent, Rosemary McKnight, Annie Negus, Pam Roach, Diana Robinson, Suzanne Spooner-Munch, Mike Steele, Nancy Tucker, Karen Witthoefft |
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50th Anniversary Celebration Committee: Front row (from left)--Elizabeth Hood, Mary Kent, Diana Robinson, Anne Negus, Gigi Vranian, Karen Witthoefft; Middle row (from left)--Betty Eddowes, Susan Fisher, Stella Jones, Rosemary McKnight, Pam Roach; Top row (from left)--Lois Shipley, Maryanne Evans. Not pictured: Betty Brinser, Suzanne Spooner-Munch, Nancy Tucker, Mike Steele.
50TH Anniversary Committee Meeting & Planning Information
The 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee began meeting in April, 2013 to plan JRAL's 2014 commemoration of our 50th year in the arts. To read minutes of the 50th Anniversary Committee meetings and to access other Celebration planning documents, please visit the Members Only section of this website. The button below will take you to the Log On page: