In June of 2011, the Greater Richmond Chamber launched “i.e*”, an organization formed to put a special focus on Richmond’s creative community and make clear that the city has more to offer than Civil War history. Under their “about” section on their website, they talked about the launch event and creative process behind this movement.
In June of 2011, the Greater Richmond Chamber launched “i.e*”, an organization formed to put a special focus on Richmond’s creative community and make clear that the city has more to offer than Civil War history. Under their “about” section on their website, they talked about the launch event and creative process behind this movement.
“At the i.e.* launch event in June 2011, we exchanged ideas with innovators on the front lines of their industries. We heard some weird stories. We learned about invention. We learned about reinvention. We shared our stories. We made something the world has never seen. We became inspired, motivated and energized. We became proud(er) of our town.”
In order to showcase all of the creative parts of Richmond in a combined, cohesive way, i.e* decided to create a lookbook that encompasses the beauty of Richmond. The book features the work, photography and writings of local artists. Even the binding of the book was done here in Richmond, and was sewn on instead of glued for quality and longevity. The cover for the book is an eye, comprised of a collage from the first RVA Street Art festival in 2012.
Chrystal Neal, the Director of creativity and innovation at the Greater Richmond Chamber, is very excited about this lookbook. “It all started with an idea a year ago when I thought, you know, I think a lot of people living in Richmond like you and me… know that Richmond is really cool amazing and awesome, but there are a lot of people who live in Richmond who keep hearing that we’re creative, but they don’t know where it’s at,” Neal said when speaking about the thought process for this book. “Having a book makes it really official, because you can read it on page 76, and it says in an official book that we’re creative… It becomes top-of-mind consciousness for a whole group of people who don’t think it or know it yet,” Neal said.
i.e* partnered up with TED Talks in March 2013 to host an event designed to provide platforms for people to spread ideas about ways to promote and improve the local community, and will host their second TEDxRVA event in March 2014. Next Wednesday, November 13, 2013 i.e* is having their second annual open-mic night. “We did that last year in January,” said Neal. “We just invited anybody and everybody living in Richmond to sign up and give a two minute talk of your own about any idea that we’re spreading… The audience voted by text last year, and will again this coming Wednesday, to choose their two top favorites. Those two favorites get to talk at our big TEDx event.” Over 600 people came to the first event last year, so this year i.e* is planning another open-mic event in January, to lead up to the TEDxRVA event in March. Like last year’s event, next Wednesday’s event will be held at the Hippodrome (located at 528 N. 2nd St). Anyone who wants to participate can go to i.e*’s official site and their TEDx site for more information. There is also a calendar on the official website for anybody who wants to get involved.
On the back flap of the book, one great paragraph beautifully articulates why supporting this movement is important. “Because by celebrating our creative culture, we craft a community supportive of uncommon thinking. By amplifying local talent—those who expand our thinking into the future—we make great ideas accessible, touching and changing lives and making Richmond a better place to be.”
