#HomeHistory

On this first day of spring, we highlight Dolores Williams Bumbrey’s serene depiction of Richmond’s Belle Isle. Visual artist and former CIA employee, Bumbrey is inspired by the tranquility of nature and makes #homehistory as the first, Black female artist from Fredericksburg to have her work displayed at the Executive Mansion.

Click here to read Dolores’ Sisterhood Spotlight and click here for more information about the Art Experience!

Lynchburg, Virginia native Sally Nelson’s “Sunday Drives” captures the breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a geographical feat that long predates #homehistory. Evoking a nostalgia that resonates with nearly all Virginians, these mountains are the backdrop of many a memory and remind us of the marvels of the Commonwealth’s natural landscape.

Click here to learn more about the Art Experience, view the exhibition virtually, or plan your visit.

This Women’s History Month, The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion spotlights “Hope,” a collaborative painting made by 14 women in Chesterfield County Jail’s Helping Addicts Recover Progressively (HARP) program and Tri-Hope Life Ministries.

On display throughout March, “Hope” blends paint colors and perspectives that communicate humanity and feeling. As part of the First Lady’s focus on recovery and second chances, the artwork inspires healing and hope.

Click here to learn more about the women making #homehistory in the Art Experience. 

The Governor has proclaimed this week as Women in Construction Week, acknowledging the contributions of the Commonwealth’s female contractors, architects, engineers, building surveyors, and trades people.

Featured in The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion, Anna Mullins’ photograph of Whitney Brown, a dry-stone wall builder from Southwest Virginia working as a festival engineer at the Richmond Folk Festival, is a beautiful reminder of the diverse ways women impact our Commonwealth, paving the way for young women and girls to follow their passions and make #homehistory of their own.

A first-of-its kind exhibit at Virginia’s Executive Mansion, The Art Experience features 70+ works made by, of, and for Virginians, & over 40% of these works were created by WOMEN! Join us this Women’s History Month as we highlight some of the creative and inspiring women who are making #homehistory through their artistry, defining Virginia as a destination for art lovers.

This February The First Lady, Governor Glenn Youngkin and nearly 200 guests at a reception commemorating Black History Month were welcomed with powerful harmonies that celebrated the legacy, resilience, and brilliance of Black history.

The Hampton University Concert Choir delivered an unforgettable performance, reminding us of the rich #homehistory of our Commonwealth’s HBCUs. Thank you to Hampton University’s Concert Choir and Director Omar Dickenson for sharing your talents with us! Click here to listen to a snippet of the moving performance.

On this day nearly 300 years ago a #homehistory pioneer was born at Popes Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia. From surveying Virginia’s lands to setting the precedent for democracy, George Washington’s leadership and vision continue to inspire.

The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion pays homage to our nation’s first president with artwork in the dining room, including a portrait of Washington and a painting of his home, Mount Vernon—both on loan from the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

Home to five historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Ralph Thomas’ painting “HBCU High Steppin’” beautifully reflects our Commonwealth’s rich #homehistory and bright future. On display at the Executive Mansion through The Art Experience, Thomas’ work captures the vibrant energy of HBCU marching band dancers from North Carolina Central University and Norfolk State University.

An accomplished oil painter with a folk-art style, Ralph Thomas celebrates the rich tapestry of Black experiences. With roots in Durham’s South Side and after a distinguished Navy career, Thomas settled in Norfolk, Virginia, where his passion for art grew as he sought to address the underrepresentation of African Americans in the art world.

This Black History Month, The Art Experience at the Executive Mansion proudly highlights the work of Louis Hyme Freeman Jr. Freelance photographer Louis Hyme Freeman Jr. (1914–1982) documented the life and spirit of his community in Richmond’s Jackson Ward, celebrated through #homehistory as the “Black Wall Street of America” and “The Harlem of the South.” His work spans a wide range of subjects, from weddings and church events to celebrations like the 1958 senior prom at Maggie L. Walker High School captured in this image. To view Freeman’s other works, click here.

Happy Valentine’s Day! In the heart of Central Appalachia, where music and tradition intertwine to make #homehistory, Clara and Ralph take the dance floor at Lays Hardware Center for the Arts in Coeburn, Virginia.

Captured by photographer Anna Mullins near Valentine’s Day 2024, their synchronized steps tell a tale of love as old as time. On display at the Executive Mansion as part of The Art Experience, this photograph reminds us that love, much like music, is best when shared.

Making #homehistory as the first African American artist to paint a gubernatorial portrait in Virginia, Stanley Rayfield’s contributions to the artistic culture of the Executive Mansion and the Commonwealth are boundless.

Alongside “Faith Without Works Is Dead” (featured in the Art Experience’s “Celebrating the Commonwealth” exhibit), “The Kingdom Movement” and “Church Hat No. 31” will be on display through February, honoring the cultural legacy and impact of Black Americans.