Hey, have you heard about InLight this weekend? It’s happening at Pine Camp out in Northside, and it’s going to be an immersive community / art experience. Every year, 1708 Gallery puts on this big nighttime art show where they take over a different spot in Richmond with a bunch of light installations, sculptures, and interactive pieces. This year’s theme is Grounds for Clearing, and it’s all set up at Pine Camp, which has its own interesting history.
Pine Camp isn’t just any spot—it’s one with history, and this year’s InLight really leans into that. Curated by Dr. Tiffany E. Barber and Nicole Pollard, the artworks are all about connecting with the park’s past and what it means for the community today. You’ll see pieces that play with ideas like healing, meditation, and connecting with nature—stuff that fits right into Pine Camp’s history as a spot where people once came to heal and get away.
The installations dig into everything this space has been: a place for isolation, reflection, play, and community. They bring out themes of ecology and natural beauty, too, giving us a chance to see Pine Camp as not just a park, but as a space that’s constantly reinvented to fit what the community needs.
And there’ll be tons of different artists with their own unique takes on light-based art. You’ll see names like Flooded Sun, Dietrich Teschner, and Monique Lorden, plus a few collaborations from people like Ellyn Parker and Beth Anne Booth. They’ll be setting up sculptures and projections that transform the camp’s grounds into this temporary, glowing gallery you can walk through. There’s even a lantern parade on Friday night if you’re up for getting hands-on—just show up a bit early to make your own lantern and join the procession.
If you’re like us and love the arts but don’t always get out to galleries, this is one of those events that makes art super accessible. It’s free, family-friendly, and it’s right here in Richmond, so anyone can just show up and explore. Plus, there’ll be food trucks—Big Wife’s Mac N’ Cheese, Coalesce Coffee, and more—to keep you warm and fueled while you wander around.
I think it’s just a great example of how art can make us see familiar places in a whole new light. And it’s a nice reminder of how these spaces can bring the community together. If you’re free this Friday or Saturday night, grab a friend or two and check it out. You won’t have to do much besides show up and soak it all in, but if you’re feeling extra inspired, 1708 Gallery always appreciates donations or volunteers to help keep events like this going.
Here’s the rundown:
- When: November 8-9, 7 PM to 11 PM
- Where: Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road
- Parking: Street parking or the lot at Henderson Middle School
- Food: Yep—food trucks like Big Wife’s Mac N’ Cheese, OPA, and Mobile Yum Yum
This year’s lineup of artists includes:
- Izz Anabtawi
- Ellyn Parker + Beth Anne Booth
- Dale Hale
- Monique Lorden
- Mel Myskowski
- Vitche-Boul Ra
- Jean Shin
- Yannick Lowery + Qiaira Riley
- Flooded Sun
- Laura Teele + Ethan Hansen + Abby Brymer
- Dietrich Teschner
Honestly, it sounds like a perfect night to support Richmond’s arts scene and just enjoy something a little different. Maybe we will see you there?
PAST INLIGHT EXHIBITIONS PHOTOS
