Group painting mural at Hope in the Cities' second First Friday event (Photo: Cricket White)

What would a more just Richmond, Va., community look like? Could you paint a picture of your vision?

This spring, Hope in the Cities (HIC) encouraged several hundred people to reflect on that question at the First Fridays community art walk, one in a series of events that helps promote local arts and culture while revitalizing Richmond’s downtown. By offering art supplies, a blank canvas, and thought-provoking questions, HIC turned the tables on those simply perusing the art galleries by asking them to create their own work of art.

“We asked, ‘Where do you see injustice in Richmond?’ and ‘What would a more just and inclusive Richmond community look like?’” said Matthew Freeman, HIC's community facilitator and a coordinator of the event. This creative dialogue spurred insightful commentary on the challenges facing the community and hopeful visions for its future.

The event also introduced the work of Hope in the Cities to a new, younger population—90 percent of participants were under 25—and encouraged these emerging leaders to engage in
efforts to make those visions for the Richmond region’s future a reality.