At dark, InLight Richmond art exhibit will shine downtown

Once the sun goes down tomorrow, a portion of downtown Richmond will begin to light up.

A group of 26 international artists, including some with Richmond ties, will brighten up a stretch along East Broad and Grace streets between Fifth and Eighth streets for the second annual InLight Richmond, an outdoor art exhibit sponsored by the 1708 Gallery.

The National Weather Service is forecasting the sun will set tomorrow at 7:02 p.m.

The first InLight Richmond was held last year, drawing nearly 6,000 people, but the idea began forming a few years ago. Officials at the 1708 Gallery, which opened in 1978, sought a special event to commemorate the gallery's 30th anniversary. They wanted something different and decided on the concept of incorporating light with art, said Tatjana Beylotte, executive director of the gallery.

Organizers are expecting 10,000 at tomorrow's event, Beylotte said.

The artists participating in tomorrow's event were chosen from a diverse pool of submissions by guest juror Adelina Vlas, assistant curator of modern and contemporary art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Artwork ranges from displays in empty storefronts to video projections on the facades of buildings. Some of the artwork is interactive, such as kinetic light drums created by Matthew McCormack of Columbus, Ohio. When played, they give off electrical energy that produces 18 watts of light.

Other exhibitions include a video projection by Brooklyn, N.Y.-based new-media artist Edward Purver that explores the relationship between the body and the physical environment. Also, local artist Michael Dulin will dangle black shoes from trees, with each shoe containing three amber-colored LED lights that produce a flamelike flickering at night.

Downtown buildings that contain the art include the recently completed Richmond CenterStage, the Hilton Garden Inn and storefronts along Grace Street. The evening also will feature performances from local groups, including Doctors of Jazz, Richmond Shakespeare and Blue Line Highway.

Even those in attendance will have the opportunity to become artwork. The gallery offered several workshops throughout the year for people to make lanterns; InLight will kick off with a community lantern parade tomorrow about 7:45 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel.

Several artists will incorporate themes of light and regeneration in wearable art, but organizers are encouraging the public to create their own wearable art as well. Lucy Meade, co-chair of the event, said she's wearing a dress with LED lights shimmering down it.

"Some of us will be decked out to make sure we're illuminated on the night of InLight," said Meade.

A panel of judges will determine who receives best in show and other awards. There is also a people's choice award. Those in attendance can vote on their favorite work of art by texting "InLight" and the number of the piece to 30364.

While much of the art will not remain, organizers of InLight Richmond hope to install a permanent exhibit, a solar-powered tree attached to the side of the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Fundraising is under way to erect the exhibit, Beylotte said.

"It's just going to be a spectacular evening of art," Meade said. "And it's so unique to have the urban landscape become the artistic canvas for artists."

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .