News

HWAC News

Select a headline to view details:

• HWAC Annual Report
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• Craft & Design Show is Great Success
• Education Grant Received
• HWAC Announces New Membership Levels
• HWAC Receives Funding for Young Artists Society
• Artsfund Launched for Greater Richmond

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Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Hand Workshop hosted the awards ceremony on Sunday, January 30 at the Omni Hotel at 901 East Cary Street. The exhibition of selected artwork and writing was on display in the James Center Atrium, adjacent to the Omni lobby, until February 4, 2005.

The Richmond Region of The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is made possible by the Hand Workshop Art Center (HWAC) with the generous support of Ukrop’s/First Market Bank, CarMax Foundation, and Saks Fifth Avenue at Stony Point Fashion Park.

There were 1200 entries in the Visual Arts category. Of those entries, there were 75 Gold Keys, 5 American Visions, 159 Silver Keys, 384 Honorable mentions and 6 Portfolios.

Of the 265 writing entries received from around the region, the judges awarded 5 American Voices Awards, 4 Portfolios, 17 Gold Keys, 35 Silver Keys and 50 Honorable Mention Certificates in writing. Gold Key Finalists, American Voices Nominees, and Portfolio Finalists will go on to the national level of judging of The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

View a presentation featuring the 2005 Art and Writing Award recipients from Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Powhatan and Goochland Schools.

The National winners are announced in April and will be honored at the National Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

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Education Grant Received
The Virginia Nonprofit Housing Coalition has made a $10,000 gift to the Hand Workshop Art Center. The funds are to be used for children’s scholarships and our programs for at-risk students, including those in nearby Randolph Village. HWAC appreciates this show of support and looks forward to working with these students.

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HWAC Announces New Membership Levels
We love our members and at the Hand Workshop Art Center we strive to create new and rewarding experiences for them. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce four new giving categories. Members giving at these levels are key contributors in maintaining the vitality of HWAC and in helping us ensure a bright future. (Benefits listed are in addition to early class registration, the newsletter, discounts on Craft & Design Show tickets, and discounts on classes for the entire household.)

The Collectors Circle — $3,000 – $4,999

• Six tickets to C & D Patrons Preview
• Two weekend passes to Craft & Design Show
• Listing as a sponsor for the Annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner
• Collectors Circle recognition in our front lobby
• Bi-annual pre-opening gallery tours with HWAC curator and visiting artists

The Founders Circle — $5,000 – $9,999

• Six tickets to C & D Patrons Preview
• Two weekend passes to Craft & Design Show
• Listing as a sponsor for the Annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner
• Founders Circle recognition in our front lobby
• Bi-annual pre-opening gallery tours with HWAC curator and visiting artists
• Four tickets to an annual dinner with the Artist-in-Residence

The Cornerstone Society — $10,000 +

• Eight tickets to C & D Patrons Preview
• Four weekend passes to Craft & Design Show
• Listing as a sponsor for the Annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner
• Cornerstone Society recognition in our front lobby
• Bi-annual pre-opening gallery tours with HWAC curator and visiting artists
• Four tickets to an annual dinner with the Artist-in-Residence
• Private guided tour of the galleries with the artist or the curator.

egacy Society

If you have included the Hand Workshop Art Center in your estate plans, we would like to know so we can include you in the Legacy Society. Please call Susan Early, 353-0094, ext. 15.

We are pleased and honored to recognize the following as Founding Members of these new levels:

Collectors Circle
Beverly and Susan Armstrong
Jane Brooke
Ralph and Joan Crosby
Bill and Marsha Ginther
Ginny and Andy Lewis
Frances Lewis
True and Charlie Luck
Charles and Cherry Peters
Dick and Mary Ann Steiner
Marcia and Harry Thalhimer
Jerry Williams and Mark Reed
Founders Circle
Hans Karras
Abby Moore
Connie and Linwood Lacy
Cornerstone Society
Anna Lou and Bob Schaberg
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Stettinius

No matter what your level of membership is, please know that we appreciate your support and commitment to the Hand Workshop Art Center. For more information on these new membership levels, including the Legacy Society, please contact Susan Early at 353-0094, ext. 15.

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HWAC Receives Funding for Young Artists Society
The CarMax Foundation has made a grant to establish The Young Artists Society (YAS). In many ways, the Young Artists Society is a companion program to the Scholastic Program, which recognizes and nurtures young artists.

YAS is open for students in grades 8 – 12 who exhibit exceptional artistic and/or literary ability, leadership skills and a strong desire to explore the contemporary world of art and literature. We will pull from the regional Scholastic award winners, a participant pool of approximately 250 students each year. Winners of the American Visions and American Voices Awards, along with Gold Key award winners will be given first choice to participate in YAS programs. Then, depending upon space, silver award winners and students nominated by art and writing teachers and principals also will be eligible to participate.

Recognizing that teens often have many competing activities, students will be allowed to select from a menu of activities. Some programs will be required, while others are optional. Activities will include:

• Four full-group programs based on HWAC’s exhibition program
• Visual Art Exhibition or Public Art Project
• Poetry and Short Story Reading
• End-of-Year Art and Literary Publication
• Portfolio Day
• Field Trips
• Workshops

YAS members will also be invited to exhibit in our annual Student/Faculty Show in August. YAS membership is for one year and can be renewed until the student graduates high school. As the program continues, we will invite YAS graduates to come and talk about college art programs and the effect of the arts in their lives, whether or not they choose it as a career.

Any serious art or writing student who feels he or she meets the criteria may apply to YAS by submitting a portfolio and an Art or English teacher’s recommendation. You also may be asked to participate in an interview. Please contact Langdon Graves, 353-0094, ext. 23 for more information about the selection process.

Our thanks to The CarMax Foundation for providing the initial funding for this new and exciting program.

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Artsfund Launched for Greater Richmond
After many years of being discussed, researched, designed and refined, the ArtsFund has taken shape for the Richmond area.

Spearheaded by the Arts Council, the ArtsFund creates a partnership between businesses and arts and culture organizations to increase the extent, efficiency and consistency of community investment in arts and culture in our community. Its mission is to strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of Greater Richmond.

Founding supporters of the new ArtsFund include Wachovia Bank, LandAmerica, Philip Morris USA, SunTrust Bank, Ukrop’s/First Market Bank, Wachovia Securities, Markel Corporation, BB&T/Scott & Stringfellow, Troutman Sanders LLP, McGuireWoods LLP, Bank of America, Performance Food Group, the Community Foundation, the Carpenter Foundation, and Carter Ryley Thomas. Founding art organizations include Barksdale Theater, New Virginia Review, Richmond Ballet, Richmond Jazz Society, Richmond Symphony, Theater IV, Virginia Opera and the Hand Workshop Art Center.

United arts funds operate successfully in 66 communities throughout the country. While there are many benefits of arts funds, the fundamental one is their capacity to build economic strength and the quality of life through sustained support of arts and culture. Hats off to the founders and leaders of this important new collaboration in support of arts and culture.

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