CW Virtual Coffee Hours
CultureWorks monthly virtual workshop the third Wednesday of every month featuring guest topics and speakers related to arts and culture.
April 2024 Coffee Hour with Jayme Swain: Sneak Peak at VPM’s New Headquarters
March 2024 Coffee Hour with Amy Nisenson: A Funder’s Guide to Successful Grants
January 2024 Coffee Hour with Jordan Brown: Artist Residencies
Join us in a discussion of Artist Residencies with VisArts' Executive Director, Jordan Brown. Jordan Brown has worked at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond for over 10 years and has been a part of the organization’s incredible growth over the last decade. She started her time at VisArts as a front-desk associate before working with community programs like Make Space, Studio S, and Veterans at VisArts, later growing to lead the education team and the center’s annual programming. Before being appointed as Executive Director, Brown served as VisArts’ Director of Education + Programs for five years.
November 2023 Coffee Hour with Catie-Reagan king: Growing & Sustaining Memberships
Join us in a discussion of growing & sustaining memberships with James River Writers' Membership Director, Catie-Reagan King. Catie-Reagan King, Ed.D., is the Membership Director at James River Writers. She is a graduate of Baylor University’s Learning and Organizational Change doctoral program, where her dissertation explored the role the fine arts play in university students’ development of 21st-century skills. She received an M.S. in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons School of Design, a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech, and a Women in Leadership certificate from Cornell University.
October 2023 Coffee Hour with Melissa Vaughn: Community Radio Programming
Join us in a discussion on Community Radio Programming and the importance of non-profit in the radio space with the President of the Board of Directors for Virginia Center for Public Press, Melissa Vaughn.
She has volunteered with WRIR since 2016 and is passionate about creating an accessible and inclusive environment for Richmonders to tell their stories, work through complicated issues and share their love of underrepresented local and global music on the airwaves and online.
September 2023 Coffee Hour with Marlene Paul: organizational Diversity & Equity
Join us in a discussion of organizational diversity & equity with ART 180's Co-Founder & Executive Director, Marlene Paul.
After a decade of roles in writing, editing, PR, and advertising, she met a friend who shared her belief that art is a form of communication. In 1998 they co-founded ART 180 to cultivate create expression in young people, and she still directs the now 25-year-old organization. She lives near the Mighty James River with her teenage daughter, hound dog, and tuxedo cat, and she recently returned to being an artist.
August 2023 Coffee Hour with NIgel Richardson: Curating Cultural Events
A discussion of curating cultural events with Afrikana Film Festival's Program Director, Nigel Richardson.
Nigel S. Richardson is a writer, filmmaker, and experience curator based in Richmond, VA. Nigel graduated from the University of Miami in 2017 with a B.S. in Communication, Motion Pictures. He currently works as Program Director for the Afrikana Independent Film Festival which is Virginia's premier festival dedicated to showcasing the cinematic works of people of color from around the world. The heart of Nigel's work is to use storytelling as a foundation to help craft experiences that elevate and celebrate diverse creators and their stories.
July 2023 Coffee Hour with Clarissa Bannor: Multi-dimensional storytelling
A discussion of multidimensional storytelling with Arts Marketing & PR Professional, Clarissa Bannor.
Clarissa Bannor is a creative communications professional with a soft spot for the arts. She earned her MA in Arts Management from George Mason University, specializing in Arts Marketing & PR. Clarissa’s career weaves together her passions for culture, art, and creative storytelling.
June 2023 Coffee Hour with Katharine Herndon: Conference Planning
A discussion of conference planning with James River Writers' Executive Director, Katharine Herndon.
Katharine Herndon was a fan of James River Writers even before they hired her. She has attended every conference and well over a hundred Writing Shows. She was on the board in a variety of roles, including executive secretary, co-chair of the 2011 conference committee, and membership chair. She has earned a 120-hour certificate in Nonprofit Management and completed the Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Program.
May 2023 Coffee Hour with Sheila Gulley Pleasants: Artist Residencies & Fellowships
A discussion of Artist Residencies & Fellowships with VCCA Director of Artists Services, Sheila Gulley Pleasants.
Sheila Gulley Pleasants has served VCCA since 1989 when she moved from New York City to Mt. San Angelo to become residential staff with her husband Craig. She holds an M.A. in French from New York University, an M.Ed. in English from Converse College, and a B.A. in French from Wake Forest University.
April 2023 Coffee Hour with Shelby Finkelstein: Funding Strategies
A discussion of funding strategies with CultureWorks Advancement & Grants Strategist, Shelby Finkelstein.
Shelby joined CultureWorks in 2022, bringing her extensive experience in grant management, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. Shelby studied Arts and Non-profit Management at the College of Charleston and considers herself fortunate that she gets to play an active role in supporting artists and arts and culture organizations in the Richmond and Tri-Cities regions.
March 2023 Coffee Hour with Justin Laughter: Intellectual Property
A discussion of protecting intellectual property with CultureWorks board member and attorney, Justin Laughter.
Justin Laughter is a business, intellectual property, and entertainment attorney. His experience representing clients is wide-ranging, including business and non-profit structuring and operations, copyright and trademark protection, licensing and enforcement, music/film/literary/theater law, internet law, and private securities offerings.
