Our building at 3511 P Street
Oakwood Arts came to life in spring 2017 when our founder happened by a property which was for rent at the corner of P and 35th street, in the Oakwood-Chimborazo historic district which is in Richmond’s rapidly changing East End. The property which consists of a former church (circa 1906), an adjacent daycare building, and a small cottage, allowed Oakwood arts to operate onsite for almost a year until structural problems caused by years of deferred maintenance forced us to relocate and begin running our programs at partner’s facilities. In 2019, we were able to secure a loan through Virginia Community Capital for the acquisition and for the first phase of renovations which we began later that same year. To stabilize our programs and provide a platform for the community in the best way possible, Oakwood Arts is began a phased approach to the renovation of the facilities as funds become available. The first order of business has been to stabilize the historic church building so that classes, workshops, and open studio hours can resume.
Read more about our journey in this article from Richmond Times-Dispatch by Bill Lohmann.
Building in 2017 when we first rented it.
Collapsed ceiling in 2018.
Original windows discovered in 2020 under drywall during demolition.
The History of Thomas Branch Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, 1906
The chapel was built in 1906 about a year after a Sunday school was organized to serve the growing Oakwood neighborhood that coalesced around the trolley line that began to operate in the area in 1896. Prior to 1900, much of the Oakwood neighborhood consisted of large farms and undeveloped tracts of land. The Thomas Branch Memorial M.E. church was organized in September 1906. The artist in residence house was constructed shortly thereafter to the west of the sanctuary. It was moved to its current location when plans were developed in 1927 to build a large new sanctuary facing 35th Street. Charles M. Robinson, a notable Richmond architect, designed a new sanctuary set on a raised basement. The large sanctuary was never constructed but the ground-raised basement was modified and built as a single-story Sunday school building. Charles M. Robinson practiced architecture in Richmond from 1906 until his death at the age of 65 in 1932. He was a prolific designer of public schools and university buildings throughout Virginia.
Original plans by created by architect Charles M. Robinson for the new sanctuary facing 35th Street. The large sanctuary was never constructed but the ground-raised basement was modified and built as a single-story Sunday school building in 1927.
Cottage on property which is future artist in residency house.
OA Staff working together in partially renovated building October 2021.
Donate today to help us cross the finish line of this phase of renovations and help Oakwood Arts return to our East End home!
Our building in late December 2021, floors and electric are done! So close…..
Thank you to all those who have donated to support our acquisition and restoration efforts of 3511 P Street from 2018-2021
Maura & Michael Bisceglia · Liz & Bob Blue · Amy & Will Bowen · Joe & Barbara Brancoli · Johna Campbell · Anne & Guy Chapman · Kimberly & Lee Chen · Sarah & Josh Eckhardt · Jason & Dia Flora · Paige & Philip Goodpasture · Devin Heatley · Herndon Foundation · Karen & Pat Kelly · Carlton Newton & Elizabeth King · Sabine Meyer · Kerry Mills · Dr. Steve & Shelly Montante · Leah & David Muhlenfeld · Kathryn Gray & Alex Nyerges · Craig Pichette · Paula Saylor-Robinson & Danny Robinson · Pam & Bill Royall · Jennifer Schooley · Carrie & Gordon Stettinius · Wallace & Mary Gray Stettinius Family · John T Sutton III · Brittany Tooker · Virginia Community Capital · Daniel Wassum · Wilson & Liz Whitehurst · Kimberly Wilson · Caroline & Richard Wright · Bucci & John Zeugner
Community Concert with the Virginia Opera at Oakwood Arts Park October 2020.