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Monroe Park neighborhood illuminated by InLight 2014 exhibit

Posted at 12:35 PM, Nov 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-21 12:43:12-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- This will be the 7th InLight event, organized by 1708 Gallery. InLight Richmond is a public exhibition of light-based art and performances, that takes place in a new neighborhood each year.

This year's InLight will be held on Friday, Nov.  21, from 7 p.m. to midnight in Monroe Park, one of Richmond's most historically significant public spaces.

Named after President James Monroe and located in the heart of Richmond and the Virginia Commonwealth University campus, Monroe Park is one of the city's oldest public spaces. In the 19th century, it was the site for the Virginia Agricultural Society fairgrounds and later housed barracks during the Civil War. In more recent memory, the park has hosted performers and musicians, including Bruce Springsteen.

Julie Hinzmann and Shawn Saharko, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, InLight 2013, photo by Terry Brown

Julie Hinzmann and Shawn Saharko, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, InLight 2013, photo by Terry Brown

The park is five-sided and crisscrossed with pathways that form a radial pattern from the center. It features a fountain and the Checkers House, a round-house in the middle of the park so named for the frequent checkers games that once regularly took place there. There are monuments to Confederate General Williams Carter Wickham and Joseph Stewart Bryan, a journalist and civic leader in Richmond in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, and a memorial to veterans of World War II.

The juror for the 2014 exhibition is Denise Markonish, Curator at Mass MoCA.

InLight 2014 will kick off with the Community Lantern Parade and will feature performances, sculpture, large-format projections, and interactive projects that will illuminate pathways, walls, sidewalks, green spaces, trees, benches, building facades, and more, in and around the park.

EVENT DETAILS

MAP

Click here to view a map of the InLight Richmond 2014 site.

PARKING

Parking for InLight 2014 is located at VCU's West Main Street Deck at the corner of West Main St. and N. Laurel St. Parking is $8 or reserve your spot in advance for $6.75 via: https://vcu.clickandpark.com/event.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

Cast your vote for The People's Choice Award by texting "InLight" and the number of your favorite work of art to 30364 from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, November 21. The winner will be announced Saturday, November 22.

LANTERN-MAKING & THE COMMUNITY LANTERN PARADE

Help us kick off InLight 2014 with a Community Lantern Parade. To participate in the parde bring a lantern you've made at home, in one of ourpublic workshops, or make one with us just before the parade begins. We will gather at 7pm on the sidewalk in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral along N. Laurel St. across from Monroe Park. The parade begins at 7:30 p.m.

FOOD & BEVERAGES

There will be a beer and wine garden on site with some of Richmond's favorite food trucks including:

SHARE

Share your InLight experience through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with #InLight2014.

InLight Monroe Park

7 p.m. - midnight
Free
620 W. Main St., Richmond, VA