In celebration of the Downtown Mall’s 50th anniversary, “Then & Now: Charlottesville in the 1970s” contextualizes the present by providing an intimate view of life and social activism in Charlottesville five decades ago. The exhibit was curated by the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the history and culture of the Albermarle-Charlottesville area. Anchored by portraits of local activists, the exhibit utilizes paintings, photographs and historical documents to tell the story of the Downtown Mall’s construction and the factors that led to its inception in 1976.
At Vault Virginia, within the 110-year old Bradbury Building — which formerly housed the People’s National Bank — at the heart of the Downtown Mall, the exhibit guides visitors through a documented decade of change across the walls of the first floor. It highlights not only the opening days of the Downtown Mall, but also the nationwide watershed movement for social change that was the 1970s. Pieces within the space detail local strides in feminist and Black history, as well as racial challenges through time, including the demolition of the Vinegar Hill neighborhood.
The exhibit revolves around 10 portraits painted by Frances Brand — a prolific local artist whose “Firsts” collection highlights individuals who made pioneering civil strides in the Charlottesville and Albemarle community, such as those at the forefront of social activism, civic leadership or their field of study. With over 150 portraits in this collection, the paintings provided ample material for the creation of “Then & Now.” Selecting which depictions would be displayed, however, proved to be a challenge according to Perry Raymond, ACHS collections and exhibit assistant…