The Really Big Show!
A new way to spotlight Richmond’s spectacular
young talent: Saturday, May 17, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Abner Clay Park
Young people from across the city will come together at “The Really Big Show,” ART 180’s newly expanded annual celebration of youth voices and showcase of their visual and performing art. This year the show, which is free and open to the public, will move outdoors to Abner Clay Park in historic Jackson Ward to cast an even greater spotlight on the 11 community-based programs in creative expression offered by ART 180 this spring.
Much like its predecessor, The Really Big Show will allow the Richmond community to experience artwork created by young people in ART 180 through the exhibition of visual art projects as well as dance and theatrical performances. This year the family-friendly event will also include elements formerly part of ART 180’s Jonny Z Festival, such as activities led by youth and adult artists (related to each program), food trucks, DJ Graybeard from WRIR 97.3fm, the Bizarre Market, and more carnival-style fun to create an entire afternoon celebrating art and community. The Jonny Z Festival is no longer a stand-alone event.
The event runs 1 to 5 p.m. at Abner Clay Park, on Brook Road between Clay and Leigh streets. Parking will be available on the street and in several pay lots in the area.
Here are the projects and community partners to be recognized:
- Fashion Self-Portraits – Charterhouse School
- Kites – Communities In Schools of Richmond (CIS)/Binford Middle School
- Alphabet Autobiographies – CIS/Elkhardt Middle School
- Accordion Storybooks – CIS/Henderson Middle School
- Improv Theater – CIS/Lucille Brown Middle School
- Video Games – CIS/Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
- Hoop Dancing – CIS/Redd Elementary
- Inside/Out Figures – CIS/Thompson Middle School
- Personal Puzzles – Franklin Military Academy
- Movement Mural – The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club
- Family Crests – St. Andrew’s School
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ABOUT ART 180
ART 180 gives young people in challenging circumstances the chance to express themselves through art, and to share their stories with others. Since 1998, the nonprofit organization has worked with youth in the Richmond area to create art that explains and illustrates their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Partnering with other organizations that serve young people, ART 180 designs projects that allow for self-expression, and creates venues for this expression in the community. The name reflects their vision of turning lives and communities around 180 degrees. ART 180 also operates Atlas, an art center for teens and gallery space for young people in Jackson Ward.
