How about learning to silkscreen print, decorating your own fabric, and taking a sewing class in our winter/spring session? Or learn to make a skirt this fall in “Make One-of-a Kind Skirts!” You could enhance your experience of the new exhibition, When Janey Comes Marching Home: Portraits of Women Combat Veterans (opening 9/12), with “Media Images of Women: 1940-Present,” a lecture class, or “Writing War,” a reading and discussion class. For anyone itching to move metal, “Introduction to Welding” is back on the schedule with four sections, all starting the first week of October.

Sign up now! And, remember, members receive a tuition discount ~ and much more!

Christopher Peterson’s astounding physical and vocal impersonations have wowed crowds from Palm Springs to Key West. With just a flip of his wig, he transforms from Marilyn Monroe to Carol Channing. One might call Peterson’s act “drag with a difference.” He portrays more than a dozen female stars, most of them in song (no lip-synching here), full makeup, wigs and gorgeous gowns stitched by Peterson himself. His act is risqué, irreverent and audacious. His humor, although naughty, doesn’t submerge itself in excess. He jokes with his audience but embarrasses with kindness and sensitivity.

Born in New Brunswick, Canada, Peterson became active in theater at an early age. He claims he was born with the drag gene. “My DNA stands for drag ‘n’ attitude,” he jokes. “My mom claims I never walked flat on my feet but always up on my toes. I guess I was getting ready for high heels.” His experience in theater, and with school and church choirs, led him to the art of female impersonation.

After proving his talents in Canada, Peterson moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for a year with the renowned female impersonation show An Evening at La Cage (“It’s the McDonald’s of drag,” quipped Peterson). While in L.A., he appeared on television shows including Truth or Consequences, The Taste of LA Revue and Evening at the Improv. He was also featured in the award-winning documentary We’re Funny That Way. In the 1990s, he appeared as one of 40 Lucille Ball impersonators in the Paramount Pictures feature Rat Race, opposite Academy Award winners Cuba Gooding Jr. and Whoopi Goldberg.

Stage work is what most interests Peterson. “I love the instant gratification,” he said. “People screaming and clapping is a lot more fun than sitting around in a trailer all day waiting for your scene.” Peterson’s one-man (and many women) show has played to sold-out crowds in Toronto, Los Angeles and Atlantic City since its debut in 1996. In the show, Peterson portrays nearly 20 great ladies of the stage and screen, switching from one to another in full view of his audience.

Peterson describes his creations as “a little bit of me and a little bit of them.” The divas in his repertoire include a dementedly determined Julie Andrews and a neurotic and heartbreaking Judy Garland. When asked which diva he most enjoys emulating, Peterson said, “That’s like asking a mother which child is her favorite! I love doing each one of them.”

• Date: Saturday, September 20
• What: “Chris’ Back!” Female impersonator Christopher Peterson
• Why: Fundraiser in support of our educational programs
• Cost: $125 per person includes dinner, cocktails, performance, coffee & dessert

Timeline: 6 p.m. Hosted dinners / 8 p.m. Cocktails at the JCC / 8:30 p.m. Chris Peterson Show begins / 10 p.m. Dessert and coffee at the JCC

Contact Ken Rayher (353-0094 ext. 252) for more information and to purchase tickets to this outrageous and unconventional good time!

Sign up now for the Visual Arts Center’s series of FREE Saturday morning art experiences for Richmond families. Our Saturday morning program, called Side by Side, is designed for multi-generational pairings to work creatively and experience the joy of self-expression and bonding through art-making. Each session runs for three consecutive Saturdays, from 10 AM to 12 noon.

Make you reservations for September’s free program series now! Pre-registration is required. Children must be 5-15 years old. Call or email Sally Kemp (804-353-0094, ext. 223) by Friday, September 5, for the September Side by Side, or by the Friday before the first Saturday of each Side by Side month. 

Fall 2008 Side by Side Dates: 

• September 6, 13 & 20
• October 4, 11 & 18
• November 1, 8 & 15

Winter/Spring 2009 Side by Side Dates:

• February 7, 14 & 21
• March 7, 14 & 21
• April 4, 11 & 18

Fall 2008 offerings in:

• animation + cartooning
• bookmaking
• ceramics
• drawing + painting
• embroidery
• fashion illustration
• fiber arts
• glass + mosaics
• jewelry design
• photography
• printmaking
• wood turning

Side by Side is funded by a generous grant from The Community Foundation serving Richmond and Central Virginia. 

The 2008 Visual Arts Center of Richmond Faculty + Staff Exhibition takes place August 8-20. This annual display of work by the Center’s talented array of teachers will also include entries submitted by several of the Center’s staff members. An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 8, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

]]> http://visarts.org/archives/43/feed http://visarts.org/archives/33 http://visarts.org/archives/33#comments Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:24:22 +0000 admin http://visarts.org/dev/?p=33 Adult Fall Classes are now online!

New Exhibition and Related Programs

Our new urban green space is ready for your summer enjoyment. The courtyard features a new kiln yard, simple plantings and what will be a “green” wall of climbing jasmine. Wouldn’t it be perfect for your next party or reception? Contact Jackie Mancini for details.

Beginning May 30, a variety of paintings by our watercolor students will be displayed in the Commons area. A reception is planned for Friday, June 6 from 6 to 8 PM. The works will be for sale and will remain on view throughout the month of June.

Don’t forget to bring your Ukrop’s Golden Gift certificates to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond when the 2008 program ends! If you’re a Ukrop’s shopper, your certificate will arrive by mail in May, and you’ll need to bring it to us by June 1. Thank you!