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1708 Gallery Lets the Light Shine

Anniversaries are important to people. They mark milestones, accomplishments, special occasions and bring back some of the fondest memories of our lifetime.

Anniversaries give people insight into where a person, couple, group or even a business has been, and where they might be going; insight into their commitment of working towards a common goal, project or message.

And as everyone knows, the best way to celebrate an anniversary, is with a bang.

For local, non-profit 1708 Gallery , one of the oldest, artist-run galleries in the nation, this means lighting up West Broad Street during the widely popular First Fridays Artwalk like never before, with the premiere of InLight Richmond , a light-inspired, juried outdoor contemporary event, to celebrate the gallery's 30th anniversary and revitalization of Richmond's downtown.

"We're extremely excited and appreciative of having had the opportunity to present art for this long in Richmond and for the community to support us," said Tatjana Beylotte , executive director of 1708 Gallery.

"Which is why we're putting on this huge celebration of art, out on the streets, for everybody to be involved with and participate in."

Beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, the road between the 100 and 400 blocks of West Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic, allowing the scene to truly come alive with the spirit of people interacting with art.

To kick off the night, children's activities will be hosted at the Richmond Public Library's main branch at 6 p.m. with the official start to InLight Richmond beginning on Broad Street at 7 p.m.

"This is the first event of its kind for Richmond and it promoted public art," Beylotte said. "We hope to inspire and educate the community about the value of public art and hope to increase and see more public art in the city of Richmond."

With light as the theme, 1708 gallery promises neither a wall nor rooftop, parking lot nor side street will be left untouched.

The gallery will utilize equipment from Theatre IV for film projections, a roving spectacle to kick off the event as well as street performers, art, food and beverage vendors and music by the Hot 8 Brass Band .

Inspiration for InLight Richmond was drawn from far beyond the boundaries of our own city.

"There are similar events [such as InLight] happening around the world. One is 'Nuit Blanche' in Paris, another is in Italy [called Luci d'Artista] as well as one in Canada in Toronoto," Beylotte said.

A highlight of the event will certainly be a contribution made by London architect Peter Culley , a project manager for the firm responsible for the ongoing expansion of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) , Rick Mather + SMBW .

Culley, inspired by the 19th-centiry row houses found in Richmond's own Jackson Ward, has created "Light House_1," an illuminated "ghost house" which spectators will be able to enter and walk through as though it were real.

To further promote the importance of public art, 1708 Gallery not only plans to host the InLight Richmond event on an annual basis, but also to leave a part of it behind year after year, for Richmonders to enjoy "for all of eternity," Beylotte said.

"This year, we're leaving behind the piece that is installed in the sidewalk in front of the gallery called, "InLight Walk" by [artist] Scott Kyle which will be unveiled on Friday," Beylotte said.

"We hope to bring people downtown that would maybe not otherwise have had a reason to come downtown, or at least to this part of Broad Street."

1708 Gallery's 30th anniversary celebration, InLight Richmond , will take place from dusk until midnight on Friday, Sept. 5 along the 100 to 400 blocks of West Broad Street during the First Fridays Artwalk . Admission is free. For more information, call (804) 643-1708 or visit 1708inlight.org .