OPENING RECEPTION FOR "A COMMONWEALTH IN BLOOM" by BLACKWELL BOTANICALS
QUirk gallery
April 16th
THURSDAY, 5:00-8:00 pm
A Commonwealth in Bloom
Celebrating Virginia Flower Farmers
Across the Commonwealth of Virginia, a growing number of flower farms are cultivating fields of seasonal blooms that reflect the rhythms of the land and the dedication of those who tend it. This renewed interest in locally grown flowers has strengthened connections between growers and their communities, bringing fresh harvests to farmers markets, flower co-ops, and homes throughout the Commonwealth.
For the past five years, Anne Blackwell Thompson has worked closely with a remarkable community of Virginia flower farmers, harvesting flowers from their fields to preserve and study their remarkable botanical forms. Behind every stem is a story of cultivation, patience, and stewardship of the land. Flower farmers work in partnership with nature, yet they must also endure her unpredictability—late frosts, pounding hailstorms, summer drought, and sudden downpours that can undo months of careful tending.
This exhibition gathers flowers from those fields and preserves a fleeting harvest. Through the patient practice of pressing and creating botanical specimens, flowers from these farms are carefully preserved, allowing their remarkable structure and character to be appreciated long after the harvest season has passed.
A Commonwealth in Bloom honors our hardworking Virginia flower farmers and the patience, resilience, and devotion required to bring these flowers from field to harvest.
VIRGINIA PYE BOOK SIGNING
QUirk gallery
APRIL 19th
Sunday, 11:00am - 1:00 pm
About Marriage and Other Monuments:
In the summer of 2020, as social justice protests and the removal of Confederate monuments rock the city of Richmond, the marriages of two estranged sisters implode, one fractured by hidden financial ruin, the other by activism that alienates. The collapse forces them to turn to each other while their husbands conspire in a racial reckoning their ancestors never dreamed of.
Early praise:
“A fascinating and audacious novel about family, marriage, and a society in flux.”—Kirkus
“A riveting contemporary narrative that intertwines suspenseful family drama with powerful themes of social justice.”-- Bruce Holsinger, Culpability, Oprah Book Club pick
“The personal is political in this smart, engaging novel.” -- Alice Elliott Dark, Fellowship Point
“Superb.”-- Alice Randall, Black Bottom Saints
“Fans of Ann Napolitano and Mary Beth Keane: Buy this novel immediately!”-- Joanna Rakoff, My Salinger Year
“A marvelous tale…a moving drama...written with a faith that justice can prevail if people of good will make it happen."-- Christopher Tilghman, On the Tobacco Coast, Mason’s Retreat
About Virginia Pye:
Virginia Pye’s most recent novel, Marriage and Other Monuments, called “fascinating and audacious” by Kirkus Reviews, is set in Richmond in the summer of 2020. She is also the author of three award-winning historical novels and a collection of short stories. A longtime former local, she’s excited to share her latest with Richmond!
TINY TREASURES: DIY CHARM NECKLACE WORKSHOP
LED BY EMMA NEUHAUS OF HEART & CRAFT
THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD
5:00-8:00 PM
In this guided workshop, guests will design and assemble a statement charm necklace using tarnish-proof chain, fixtures, and a thoughtfully curated collection of up to 5 mixed-metal, pearl, and sculptural charms.
Inspired by heirloom jewelry with a modern sensibility, each participant will learn composition and finishing techniques to create a piece that feels both personal and enduring. Whether attending with your mother, daughter, or in celebration of someone you love, this two-hour creative experience is the perfect lead-up to Mother's Day (or girl's night out!), offering the opportunity to craft a wearable keepsake designed to last.
Ticket includes a Lobby Bar credit so you can grab a specialty beverage of your choice to sip while you craft!
Additional standard and premium charms will be available for purchase on-site.