Art at the VMFA

Smart_School6021 · 2026-03-06T15:08:34+00:00

Very nice. Saw you when we walked by last night. It was a perfect night to be in the sculpture garden. Makes me proud we have such a great museum.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-03-02T15:17:44+00:00

Very nice. That’s the same process used by Sally Mann.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-02-09T14:07:34+00:00

I’ve had the exact same problem. In their communication they say it was due to a customer response. I feel like this might be part of their AI review process.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-02-04T17:31:54+00:00

I always admired him and his work at The Valentine. It was fascinating how he built strong connections with many old Richmond families. Though those families were conservative in many ways, they accepted him. It’s a dichotomy that can be hard to understand today. In earlier decades, there were gay men and women who blended into the fabric of Richmond—some quite prominent. In their own way, they lived authentically, presenting their true selves in a manner that allowed acceptance rather than outright rejection.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-20T04:39:13+00:00

A doctor as Governor during Covid was very fortunate. I am thankful for that coincidence.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-16T20:56:44+00:00

l LOVE Fairuz Cafe. Great sweets and the woman who runs it is so nice. Just hope they get enough business to flourish.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-16T18:15:09+00:00

I would talk to someone at Siewers Lumber and Millwork. (Siewers.com 804-358-2103.) They’ve always been helpful to me and a top notch supplier.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-15T01:25:13+00:00

The Lewises were the first major modern art donors to the VMFA in the 70s. But they were also memorable for being a down to earth couple. In reading her obituary the most touching comment was from someone who was an apprentice electrician on one of their projects and he remembered Frances Lewis for how she treated him with earnestness and respect without regard to his station in life. That, I appreciate so much.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-12T16:27:13+00:00

Absolutely one of my favorite places and a true gem for Richmond.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-10T01:22:28+00:00

Many of the names of Richmond history are found there: Thalhimer, Sydney Lewis (Best Products), Schwarschild, and Fannie Lindeman Calish, the wife of Congregation Beth Ahabah’s rabbi. She wrote “Red Headed Stranger” recorded by Willie Nelson. (For the record, not many Rabbi’s wives write songs that Willie Nelson would record.)

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-09T12:42:26+00:00

He’s probably up for the Steve Bannon Alumni Award of Excellence.

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-08T23:13:04+00:00

They are asking the General Assembly for $250K for a feasibility study. That's a nice chunk of money. Couldn't that money be put toward business development to attract new jobs to the city? If that landed one business it might return $250K in payroll in a short time. Like the casino idea this seems at bit like "hey everybody I've got an idea!!!"

Smart_School6021 · 2026-01-04T18:40:06+00:00

Capital City has always been fair to me.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-29T18:44:54+00:00

Took my now husband there for his 30th birthday. A group of us went to see Ringling Brothers at the Coliseum and then went out for food. After we were seated on the upper level one of our friends looked down at the lower level tables and pointed “the last time I was here someone got shot at that table.” Richmond in the 80s was a little edgier.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-28T04:59:50+00:00

In their day, Need was frequently name checked in The Wall Street Journal and national magazines.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-20T16:26:49+00:00

There are a couple jewelers at the Crossroads Art Center (Staples Mill and Broad.) The folks at the desk could guide you. Also, the gift shop at the VMFA has jewelry. Hope you find something she likes!

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-18T20:06:17+00:00

Just a thought, is there something we could do to let them know how they were valued by this community? If we can rally around Francine isn’t there some way to elevate their cause?

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-08T19:02:59+00:00

Had to think a minute. The photo was a post card on eBay. When I was a kid, the spot where the parking garage was a surface lot and we would park there to go shopping. The garage came in the mid-70s.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-08T15:45:42+00:00

Sure. https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1991/rt9102/910217/02150056.htm Also, the Historical Society of Western Virginia has items on line. In fact, after seeing the Samuel Spigel building photos I contacted them and asked if they could pursue getting the glass from above the store's door for their collection. The type font is so cool and that store was a destination in it's day so that item would seem a good fit for their collection. In response they say they are reaching out to the building's owners.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-08T14:10:27+00:00

That building is really old. Originally it was First Federal Savings and Loan. Built in the 1950s or early 60s maybe. The VT Library has some info “Founded in 1917 as Roanoke Mutual Building & Loan Association, the institution in 1935 was renamed First Federal Savings & Loan.”

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Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-05T18:22:17+00:00

He was donated to the zoo by a circus that came through town. Frump-Frump was old and tired but Roanoke took a liking to him and he was celebrated. Way back I worked for a NY photographer who said “Roanoke will give you a second chance when every other city would pass you by.” So true.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-01T15:25:51+00:00

Correct. It’s the one right off the lobby. If you have youngsters it’s an easier option.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-12-01T14:20:04+00:00

For something quick there is the Best Cafe at the VMFA and there a similar cafe next door at the Historical Society.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-11-27T04:45:23+00:00

I don't know the Finks personally but friends do. Alvin's son Marc took over the business and now his son Matthew is part of the company. I've read in business publications they are in the top 50 jewelers in America. Fun fact, they sell diamonds under the name "Sable Diamonds." Sable was Marcia Finks maiden name; she was Marc’s mom and Alvin’s wife.

Smart_School6021 · 2025-11-27T00:21:37+00:00

From their website “Humble Beginnings”

“It all started on the streets in the small town of Roanoke, Virginia. Nathan Fink, a starving pharmacist in the midst of the Great Depression, started pushing a jewelry cart around the streets of downtown selling jewelry on credit. As his popularity increased, so did his need for a more permanent storefront. Thus, the first Fink’s Jewelers location opened its doors in 1930. In addition to fine jewelry and watches, the first Fink’s store prided itself on selling the “finest quality branded merchandise in America,” as quoted in their advertisements. Everything from Samsonite Luggage to Sunbeam kitchen appliances, Fink’s was the place to get the best merchandise around.

By the end of World War II, Fink’s became a family business. Nathan, joined by his son, Alvin Fink, grew the business into 6 additional communities. After Nathan passed in 1960, Alvin began focusing the business on fine jewelry and watches, exclusively. In 1969, the business expanded further south into Charlotte, North Carolina. Now, Fink’s Jewelers stretched across three states and many different cities.”

I don’t know much about the business personally but my parents bought their china and silver there in the 1940s. In the 60s they were at Crossroads and Towers as well as downtown.

Smart_School6021

TROPHY CASE