Alumna revives historic space with gallery

Photo courtesy of Amanda Robinson
Members of the River City Burners, a fire arts troupe, perform at the April 15 opening of Gallery 5 in Richmond, Va. The gallery is operated by SCAD alumna Amanda Robinson, and more than 1,000 guests joined in the opening festivities.

By: Monique Bos

Published: Friday, June 17, 2005

Savannah College of Art and Design alumna Amanda Robinson found a way to revitalize a historic Richmond, Va., building that has personal significance to her family: She transformed it into an art gallery.

Robinson, who graduated from SCAD in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and a minor in art history, launched Gallery 5 April 15 with a reception attended by more than 1,000 guests.

“We are definitely coming in on top as one of the best galleries in Richmond,” she said.

The gallery is located in a former firehouse, where Robinson’s grandfather and great-grandfather both served. Her father purchased the building and started a nonprofit foundation, which operated the Virginia Fire and Police Museum in the space until 2002.

Robinson has reopened the museum, which operates on the first floor of the building, and devoted the second floor to Gallery 5, which is named after Steamer Company No. 5, the fire brigade that was headquartered there. The building, constructed in 1849, also served as a police station and jail and is a registered National Historic Landmark.

“I wanted to reopen this building,” Robinson said. “It’s been in my family so long.”

Inside the space, visitors can view contemporary art as well as a horse-drawn steam engine, police motorcycles, uniforms, brass poles, jail cells, gallows and other items.

Robinson said the gallery’s inception served not only to spotlight new artists in Richmond but also to revitalize the museum.

“Since interest in the arts in Richmond has dramatically increased over the past decade, I knew the arts would bring a new light to the museum’s core and would be the driving force to keep it alive,” she said. “Because of the building’s 19th-century architecture, history and its traditional firehouse feel, it captures one of the most unique gallery settings around.”

In addition, the gallery, located centrally in Richmond’s art district, provides a space for up-and-coming artists whose work might not be exhibited elsewhere, Robinson said.

“There are so many unique and amazing artists in the Richmond area who don’t have the right environment to exhibit their breed of work,” she said. “I am trying to showcase the underground art of Richmond and the risqué work that intimidates. I want the dirty, the witty, the ever-changing, the respected, the disrespected, the opinionated, the diverse, the unwilling, the unintentional and the beautiful work of Richmond.”

She said one of her main goals is “reaching out to a younger crowd.” She plans to teach art courses, offer tutoring and host lectures by visiting artists. In addition, plans are underway for a coffee shop in the gallery, which will provide a forum for discussions.

Gallery 5 is a nonprofit organization, and all proceeds from works sold go to the Virginia Fire and Police Museum.

Robinson’s father, Tom Robinson, said he is proud of how his daughter has transformed and revived the space.

“I appreciate the education Amanda received at SCAD,” he said. “It is paying off much faster than I anticipated. The gallery is both beautiful and unusual.”

For more information, visit www.gallery5arts.com.