Visiting Ward Center Brings Back Memories of Richmond

"Art in the Underground at The Ward" ©Mary Montague Sikes

After spending 10 years at Petersburg Regional Arts Center, touring the renovated Ward Center for Contemporary Art brings back many memories, especially in the Underground. In 2002, when I looked at floor plans for PRAC, I had difficulty deciding which gallery space I wanted in the facility that would replace Shockoe Bottom Arts Center in Richmond.

This was a turbulent time for everyone after the world turned dark and changed on 9/11, 2001. I had grown used to being in Shockoe Bottom for opening night each month and to attending other events there, including workshops by the late Roland Roycraft, a nationally-known watercolor artist at the time, and Carole Barnes, a popular acrylics instructor. Along with most of the other artists at Shockoe Bottom, I was at a loss for what to do--stay with a new group somewhere in Richmond or follow Rusty Davis and his mother Deanna Brizendine to Petersburg.

The two of them founded Shockoe Bottom Arts Center in 1994, modeling it somewhat after the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria and giving artists the chance to have affordable studio space in Richmond. The old tobacco warehouse building featured the prominent Lucky Strike water tower landmark rising above it. At one point, Rusty promoted an art contest to paint that tower.

Davis always wanted to keep the Art Center in Richmond. However, because of disputes with the owner of the Shockoe Bottom building, he incurred legal fees that he said made it impossible to afford property in the city. Going to Petersburg was the "best deal", especially when those city officials "courted him" because of their hope the new Art Center would help revitalize the downtown.

Out of loyalty, I made the decision to follow Rusty and his artist mother to Petersburg. Studying their plans, I went back and forth for several months between a large studio space on the third floor or a smaller space with a closet and two inset areas located across from the elevator in the basement. In the end, I chose the lower floor and was soon glad that I did because the large elevator failed and, because of the expenses involved, was never put back into operation. The small elevator that was left was unreliable, so I used the stairs whenever possible.

My Studio PRAC 2012 ©Mary Montague Sikes

That spring and summer, everybody worked together to develop the studio spaces in the old Butterworth Furniture Store building. After the dry walls went up in my studio, my husband and I painted them white and the wooden inset area, black. It made a striking display space for my paintings. Everything came together for an opening in July 2003. Rusty and Deanna had great plans for PRAC. He mentioned that he intended to put up a billboard along I-95, advertising PRAC. However, that and other plans never came to fruition. Both Rusty and his mother developed disabling illnesses.

Running the Art Center fell on his sister, Donna Jacobs, who brought enthusiasm to a difficult situation. She managed juried shows each month that were popular and gave artists the opportunity to compete for a total of $600 in prize money for 11 open house events each year. But, gradually, most of the original artists left for spaces in Richmond and other locations. I stayed until PRAC closed in July 2013 and was sad to see it go.
 

Terry Ammons sculpture in The Underground ©MMSikes

The configuration of the Underground at the Ward Center for Contemporary Art is nice. The ample hallway spaces provide opportunity for the display of sculpture as well as paintings. The placement of the Terry Ammons sculpture is thought-provoking.

At long last, Petersburg appears to be breaking out. The shackles and the cries of dying soldiers on the Civil War battlefields are disappearing and growing ever quieter. They will never be forgotten, but new art galleries, more restaurants, a new brewery, and The Ward Center for Contemporary Art are brightening the look and the mood of Old Towne Petersburg. I like the feel.

Transforming an Art Center in Historic Petersburg, Virginia

"Old Towne Petersburg" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Last summer, my husband and I visited the construction site of the Ward Center for Contemporary Art in Petersburg VA. We were there the same day the filming of "Ithaca" began nearby in Old Towne. False store fronts were installed to create the set of the movie that is based on the novel, The Human Comedy, published in 1943 by William Saroyan. Meg Ryan directed the film, scheduled for release in 2016. It was Ryan's performance in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" that inspired me to write my novel Daddy's Christmas Angel.

Old Towne Petersburg is now a popular setting for movies. During the filming of "Lincoln," Steven Spielberg, the director, was often seen in the downtown just as Ryan was last summer. The film-making is bringing a revival to the area.

All the production activity in the historic district of the old city, reminds me of why I liked Petersburg so much when the Petersburg Regional Art Center first opened 12 years ago in 2003. I had a studio gallery in the basement of PRAC for all of the 10 years it was open. That space in The Ward Center for Contemporary Art is now the center of the beautiful new configuration of studios. 

The day we first visited, dust was flying as dry walls were hammered in place. The same old pressed metal ceilings remained overhead, and I wondered if the new paint would flake from them as it did almost daily when my studio was there. I loved the space that we painted white with black walls in the back. I chose a glass door that gave a more open look to the display. The new studios located in the area now have glass doors and a look that makes them special.

Mary Montague Sikes' Basement Studio at PRAC Performance at PRAC during a Friday for the Arts Open House in about 2010

 

Grand Gallery at The Ward Center for Contemporary Art on Opening Night 2015

Over the years, I discovered that visitors seldom made their way down to the basement. Now new signage and offices in the front of the big open main gallery should encourage traffic flow to the lower level in the Ward Center.

For many years, the Butterworth building, constructed in 1848 or possibly a little later in the 1800s, was home to a large furniture business. Furniture and other remnants from the former store remained long after the building reopened as PRAC in 2003. 

The original wooden floor now has been beautifully refinished as part of the renovation of the large Grand Gallery space. New lights hang from the ceiling and more studio spaces flank the back of the first floor. In all, there will be 57 artist studios. Above it all, the Butterworth Flats provide one and two-bedroom modern living spaces. 

It's an exciting time for Old Towne Petersburg. Although I sometimes still hear the sounds of soldiers marching in the streets and still sense the sadness that long loomed over the town, I believe there is hope with the fulfillment of creativity in the air. I believe that art can bring new joy to the city.