Voted Best Arts Event
-Richmond Magazine
Voted Best Art Show in Central VA
-Virginia Living Magazine
Our History
The first Arts in the Park was held in 1972, the brainchild of early officers of the Carillon Civic Association (CCA): Frank and Kippy Gilbert, Richard and Carole Towell, Richard and Barbara Towell, and Bob and Pat Lovelace (pictured). The goal was to create an activity that would bring neighbors together and to showcase the lovely, newly integrated community. The first show was held inside the Carillon War Memorial, and as it grew larger and more successful over time, it was moved outside to the park grounds. Pat Lovelace served as co-director with Richard Towell for its first few years, and she then took the helm for over four decades—a remarkable labor of love.
Ultimately, the CCA-sponsored art show became a banner event for Richmond and Central Virginia, and it remains so to this day. Each year it is manned by dozens of volunteers from the Carillon neighborhood. Proceeds help support community programs and beautification, the city park system, public library, and school system, as well as grants to numerous non-profit charities and service organizations.
Our Philanthropy
Arts in the Park is sponsored by the Carillon Civic Association. A portion of the Arts in the Park proceeds benefit and support various charities, projects, and organizations in the Richmond area through grants and donations by the Carillon Civic Association, a non profit group. Proceeds also help to maintain the natural beauty of the Carillon neighborhood.
CCA has donated to 150 different Richmond organizations and charities, including:
- FeedMore
- Lois Harrison Jones Elementary (formerly known as J. B. Cary)
- the Richmond Boy’s Choir
- YWCA
- Fan-Free Clinic/Health Brigade
- Friends’ Association for Children
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
- The Children’s Museum
- The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond
The CCA has also given discretionary donations to:
- Richmond Parks & Recreation, to support Byrd Park and the Carillon
- Envision, to support the Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts
- John B. Cary Elementary School
- Richmond Public Library, Belmont Branch
Our History
The first Arts in the Park was held in 1972, the brainchild of early officers of the Carillon Civic Association (CCA): Frank and Kippy Gilbert, Richard and Carole Towell, Richard and Barbara Towell, and Bob and Pat Lovelace (pictured). The goal was to create an activity that would bring neighbors together and to showcase the lovely, newly integrated community. The first show was held inside the Carillon War Memorial, and as it grew larger and more successful over time, it was moved outside to the park grounds. Pat Lovelace served as co-director with Richard Towell for its first few years, and she then took the helm for over four decades—a remarkable labor of love.
Ultimately, the CCA-sponsored art show became a banner event for Richmond and Central Virginia, and it remains so to this day. Each year it is manned by dozens of volunteers from the Carillon neighborhood. Proceeds help support community programs and beautification, the city park system, public library, and school system, as well as grants to numerous non-profit charities and service organizations. A recent project was funding the Carillon playground. You can see more about our non-profit recipients on our Philanthropy page HERE.
Our Philanthropy
Arts in the Park is sponsored by the Carillon Civic Association. A portion of the Arts in the Park proceeds benefit and support various charities, projects, and organizations in the Richmond area through grants and donations by the Carillon Civic Association, a non profit group. Proceeds also help to maintain the natural beauty of the Carillon neighborhood.
CCA has donated to 150 different Richmond organizations and charities, including:
- FeedMore
- John B. Cary Elementary School
- the Richmond Boy’s Choir
- YWCA
- Fan-Free Clinic/Health Brigade
- Friends’ Association for Children
- Hope in the Cities
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
- The Children’s Museum
- The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond
The CCA has also given discretionary donations to:
- Richmond Parks & Recreation, to support Byrd Park and the Carillon
- Envision, to support the Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts
- The Richmond Nativity Pageant
- John B. Cary Elementary School
- Richmond Public Library, Belmont Branch