Who deserves a DaVinci or a Velvet Elvis?

For a city that bills itself as the "cultural and creative capital of Central Virginia" and often lures visitors with promises of the best the arts has to offer, I thought it was time to put Charlottesville's breast beating to the test and start handing out awards to those individuals/groups who actually live up to these lofty standards… and expose those who fall desperately short.

Since I am acting as judge and jury here, the focus will primarily be on the visual arts – you know… the stuff we see… like painting, sculpture, photography, etc. Maybe someone else will carry the torch for theater, dance, and music.

For this, there will only be two awards: the "DaVinci" for those who are doing something truly positive and promoting the visual arts in Charlottesville, and the "Velvet Elvis" to those who, despite their elevated position in the cultural scene, are dragging the visual arts backwards.

    

So, follow me during the next couple of weeks as I reveal my picks for Velvet Elvis winners and those who earn a DaVinci distinction.

Naturally, as I expose the most deserved, I encourage comments in support or rebuff.

Come along… this will be fun.

Comments

[Michael Fitts]

I'm looking forward to this.

M.Fitts

[Rob Jones]

I'll try not to disappoint.