The community is invited to a public form on Tuesday, April 1st at 6pm at Sycamore Rouge to discuss the latest initiative of the Army Community Heritage Partnership. Tom Robinson, pioneer of “Vacant Spaces = Artful Places” in Richmond, will join us to discuss how he organized this effective project to bring artwork into vacant buildings along the Broad Street corridor in Richmond, and he will lend his expertise to Petersburg as we embark on our own effort to enhance Old Towne’s vacant places.

From Style Weekly:

‘Vacant Spaces = Artful Places’ aims to breathe new life into downtown Richmond by beautifying the storefronts of 59 long-vacant buildings along the Broad Street corridor between Henry and Third streets. Empty storefront windows and walls are being cleaned up and converted into exhibit space for art. Local real estate developer Tom Robinson says the project aims to draw attention to the ‘dead space’ represented by the vacant, often dilapidated buildings.

Why has art been identified as the catalyst for revitalization? Because art often elicits emotional response, provides delight, provokes thought and brings people together.

(Read the entire article here.)

In Petersburg, Gwen Cooper, the chair of the Army Community Heritage Partnership’s Property Development Task Force, is leading this effort. “We are grateful to Joe Battiston, one of our team members, for his excellent initiative, ‘The Faces of Old Towne.’ This project has created a wonderful image for three buildings along Sycamore Street that have been vacant for many years. Also, thanks go to Jacki Sowers for bringing her mosaic artwork to the windows at the Charles Leonard building on West Bank Street. These projects have helped inspire us!”