Dear Friends,

We are so sad to share the news of Beverly Ward Reynolds’ passing this week. Bev leaves us with lives more creative and beautiful than they would have been without her.

Her mark on the City of Richmond and its creative community is indelible. Through her tireless efforts over more than 37 years, she helped to make Richmond a place where contemporary art could thrive. Her goal to “keep raising the bar,” was achieved time and again through exhibitions by nationally and internationally known artists – even when it meant taking great risks. She took great pride and pleasure in seeking out regional talent and, in her words, “building the case” for young and up and coming artists. When Bev believed in you – as an artist, friend, or employee – she took great leaps of faith, which often resulted in unpredicted success. It is impossible to imagine that this city would be the locus of creativity and art that it is today without her.

For Bev, her primary working motivation was always the relationships she built with people, evidenced by the large number of artists, dealers, collectors, and gallery friends who loved her dearly and feel her loss profoundly. With unparalleled energy, she pushed to realize the greatest potential of each day and never settled for less than the best that she and those around her could give. Her passion for life and art will be missed every day as we carry on her work.

The gallery will be open all week except Thursday, and we invite you to stop by to remember her. I am sure many of us will pause on Thanksgiving to feel gratitude for the many ways she touched our lives.

There will be a reception at Reynolds Gallery celebrating Bev this Friday evening, November 28 starting at 6:30 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 29 at St. James’s Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art or the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (Ovarian Cancer Dream Team).

With love and thankfulness for Bev’s life,

Julia, Alice, and the Reynolds Family

 

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