Gallery5 kicks off its season with exciting new renovations

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Come celebrate First Friday at Gallery5 as they return with new stage renovations and kick off a new season.

Recently, Gallery5 has announced the start of a new season of “arts for all” programming, along with new stage renovations and several improvements to the facility. According to the studio, the upgrades were made possible by a grant from CultureWorks, a generous contribution and efforts from the community.

Gallery5 has been known as a creative hub in Richmond for the last 19 years and looks forward to welcoming the community back into its space.

“The arts are a powerful tool that brings people together through times of celebration and adversity,” said Ashley Moore, Board of Directors for Gallery5. “The overwhelming support from our community during this transition is a reminder of why it is important to invest in community arts at a time when spaces like Gallery5 are at risk all over the country.”

According to Gallery5, the newly renovated stage is bigger and louder, ready to highlight everything from poetry to burlesque. The approaching new season is said to bring a wider offering of Arts For All events and recurring events like Silent Music Revival and the Listening Room, Open Mic Nights, Community Care Nights, First Friday exhibitions and many more.

“The decision to move the stage during COVID-19 was a difficult one that the organization faced to keep the doors open and stay alive,” Moore continued. “As we enter into a new phase, approaching the Gallery’s 20th anniversary, we knew it was important to amplify our ability to serve the vibrant community of artists, performers, and patrons here in Richmond. It is our goal as an organization to see this mission reflected in our production quality and programming for years to come.”

First Friday at Gallery5 — Friday, Sept. 6 from 5 to 11 p.m.

Take Me To Your Garden: An Exhibition of Art by the Middle East Diasporas

• First Friday’s at Gallery5 is a recurring exhibition on the first Friday of the month. September’s exhibition will feature work by Sarah Ahmad, Meena Khalil, Rashin Kheiriyeh, Sermin Ciddi, Bizhan Khodabandeh, Dara Naraghi and Aziz Yedigarian. Live music will be presented by Yeni Nostajii, DJ Carl Hamm, and U of R Gamelan Band with Peni Candra Rini.
• The event will also feature a Mid Autumn Block Party, presented by The Richmond Moon Market and Kasama Collective, highlighting local Asian crafts and food, martial arts groups, performances and more.

For more information about Gallery5’s Arts for All programs, visit the website .

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