All results / Photos / Sandra Sellars
![Nitika and Joshua Achalam may be staying home, but they are staying busy.
They are outside their home in Fulton with their chickens, Octavia Butler and Zora Neale Hurston.
Asked how their lives are different during the pandemic, Mrs. Achalam, executive director of Project Yoga Richmond and an herbal healer with True Grit Botanica, said, “We’ve launched an online membership platform where the community can remotely access yoga and mindfulness content from PYR ambassadors.”
Mr. Achalam, a reggae artist and educator, said, “Shows are postponed. But we’ll regroup and spend more time in the studio.”
On April 4, he performed in “Couchella,” a digital music festival that helped raise money for the Makindu Children’s Center in Kenya. The money will help install hand-washing stations at the center to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Asked about the silver lining, both say the crisis has caused them to slow down and concentrate on the health and well-being of themselves and family.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2020/04/16/QUARANATINE_PORTRAITS_Achalam_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Nitika and Joshua Achalam may be staying home, but they are staying busy. They are outside their home in Fulton with their chickens, Octavia Butler …
Published on April 16, 2020
![Plans in 2016 had called for the old building to be converted into a commercial space, possibly for use by the city Department of Public Utilities. In 2019, DPU nixed the idea because of the cost of removing asbestos and other contaminants from the 11-acre site.
The demolition has been in the works since July 2020. The site was best known for an iconic 60-foot-tall metal work called a gasometer that surrounded the empty, below-ground storage tanks. The gasometer has been carefully removed and could later be reinstalled as a piece of public art. More than $4.3 million has been invested to clear the old structures and remove contaminated soil from the property, which is envisioned as an East End development site.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2022/02/24/Cityscape_Fulton_Gas_Works_SS021322_011_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Plans in 2016 had called for the old building to be converted into a commercial space, possibly for use by the city Department of Public …
Published on February 24, 2022
![Armstrong Renaissance is heading to the finish line after more than three years of construc- tion at this East End site near the city’s border with Henrico County. Crews now are focusing on development of the final phase – 36 attached and detached homes to be sold at market rates – that will cap the redevelopment on the former site of Armstrong High School.
Oversized compared with most of the homes on nearby streets, the new houses were initially priced between $225,000 and $350,000 and are designed to add a residential cachet to the area.
When finished, the total 22-acre development will contain 256 modern apartments and houses. The first residents moved in just before Thanksgiving in 2019.
Previously called Church Hill North, Armstrong Renaissance is the creation of a partnership of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Boston-based nonprofit affordable housing developer, The Community Builders. The project is designed as the first step in the future redevelopment of the 30-acre Creighton Court public housing community located across Nine Mile Road.
The new units were used, in part, to relocate Creighton Court residents, clearing the way for a large chunk of the public housing community to be bulldozed and replaced with new units. Demolition of a major portion of Creighton Court is expected this year.
Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Richmond City Council cleared the way by allocating $6.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for new streets, alleys and underground utilities in the Creighton Court redevelopment.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2022/02/10/Cityscape_Church_Hill_North_SS_020622_009_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Armstrong Renaissance is heading to the finish line after more than three years of construc- tion at this East End site near the city’s border …
Published on February 10, 2022
![A key element of Richmond’s drinking water supply system is undergoing about $54 million in major improvements.
These photos document the construction underway at the historic Byrd Park Reservoir that first went into service 145 years ago to supply water to the city and surrounding counties.
The purpose of the work: To keep the 55 million-gallon storage facility functional.
The city Department of Public Utilities is projecting to spend $60 million to cover all costs, about $7 million more than anticipated when the project was first envisioned four years ago. So far, about $4.7 million has been spent on inspections, planning and design, DPU has reported.
Opened in 1876, the reservoir is located on the east side of Blanton Avenue and is bounded by Grant Street and Police Memorial Way.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2022/01/06/Cityscape_Byrd_Park_Tank_Rehabilitation_SSSS_009_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
A key element of Richmond’s drinking water supply system is undergoing about $54 million in major improvements. These photos document the construction underway at the …
Published on January 6, 2022
![A “Now Leasing” sign adorns an entry to the Church Hill North development on North 31st Street off Nine Mile Road in the city’s East End. While no announce- ment has been made, the sign signals that the yearlong construction on the first phase of new apartments is coming to a close. The development was undertaken by The Community Builders of Boston in partner- ship with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The site is the former home of Armstrong High School, which was torn down to make way for the new residences. The first phase was announced on Oct. 30, 2018, when work began to include 60 family units and 45 apartments for seniors at a cost of about $26 million. Work on another 70 units was begun earlier this year, and those units are in various stages of completion. The total development is to include 256 units, including a few single-family homes. The project is the first step in the overhaul of the nearby Creighton Court public housing community. Some Creighton Court residents are to be moved to Church Hill North as planning for renovation or replacement of the 504-unit Creighton Court complex continues.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/12/19/Cityscape_Church_Hill_North_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
A “Now Leasing” sign adorns an entry to the Church Hill North development on North 31st Street off Nine Mile Road in the city’s East …
Published on December 20, 2019
![Cityscape //These scenes show examples of the impact of the June 16 storm that hammered Richmond and Henrico County and knocked out power to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses in the two localities. Left, Laurie Petersen photographs a tree split during the raging winds at Monument and Roseneath avenues in the West End. Right, Brad Spangler takes a closer look at a car crushed under trees felled by the storm that packed 70 mph winds and dropped 1.6 inches of rain. Location: Seminary and Claremont avenues in North Side. Richmond area damage estimates ranged from $2 million to $5 million, including $770,000 in damage to 10 Richmond school buildings. Officials said all but $100,000 of the schools damage would be covered by insurance. Dominion brought in hundreds of workers, who helped restore power by late Monday. Fifty crews from the City of Richmond, meanwhile, cleared fallen trees blocking 156 streets and removed 700 tons of tree debris through Tuesday. As of Tuesday night, Byrd Park, Battery Park Pool and Bryan Park had yet to reopen. The city and Henrico County are offering to haul away tree limbs from residents’ property. In the city, residents can place limbs and brush near the curb or alley for pickup. County residents must register for service at (804) 501-4275 or online at www.henrico.us/services/storm-debris-pickup. The county’s deadline to sign up is Friday, June 24.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2016/06/24/Storm_Damage_4_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Cityscape //These scenes show examples of the impact of the June 16 storm that hammered Richmond and Henrico County and knocked out power to nearly …
Published on June 24, 2016
![Multiple construction projects are underway at the Virginia War Memorial Carillon in Richmond. In 2016, Elizabeth L. O’Leary of the Carillon Civic Association described the historic monument: Rising a lofty 240 feet in the heart of Richmond’s William Byrd Park stands the Virginia War Memorial Carillon — the Commonwealth’s official monument to the approximately 3,700 men and women from the state who died as a result of World War I. The Georgian-revival tower houses a massive musical instrument made up of 53 fixed bronze bells of varying sizes, still played today by a carillonneur who strikes a pedal keyboard just below the bell chamber. Dedicated on October 15, 1932 — 14 years after the end of the Great War — the Carillon opened amidst a swirl of patriotic fervor and controversy. Its original design, commissioned several years earlier by the Virginia General Assembly from celebrated Philadelphia architect Paul Cret, called for a sleek classicized temple. Shortly after ground breaking, a citizen’s committee waged a successful popular campaign to build a carillon instead. Building the more expensive “singing tower” — a brick encased steel frame that originally supported the heavy bells cast by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough, England — required additional fundraising to achieve the final cost of $325,000.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/04/27/CITYSCAPE_CARILLON_SS_042223_003_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Multiple construction projects are underway at the Virginia War Memorial Carillon in Richmond. In 2016, Elizabeth L. O’Leary of the Carillon Civic Association described the …
Published on April 27, 2023
![Cast members, from left, Essence Atkins, Leon and Terri J. Vaughn and playwright Je’Caryous Johnson visit the Free Press offices Monday in Downtown.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2015/10/02/Cast_members_2_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Cast members, from left, Essence Atkins, Leon and Terri J. Vaughn and playwright Je’Caryous Johnson visit the Free Press offices Monday in Downtown.
Published on October 2, 2015
![Julius Fillyow gets a visit from Cockatoos Bindi, left, and Coco, right, who were hanging out with owners Lucus Griffith and Lindsey Pennington.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/10/19/RVA_FOLK_FESTIVAL_101623_SS_018_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Julius Fillyow gets a visit from Cockatoos Bindi, left, and Coco, right, who were hanging out with owners Lucus Griffith and Lindsey Pennington.
Published on October 19, 2023
![Zuri Grant, 4, tackles a giant haystack while visiting Gallmeyer Farms on Millers Lane in Henrico County with her mother, Briana Brockington, on Oct. 21.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/10/26/A1_child_102123_SS_001_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Zuri Grant, 4, tackles a giant haystack while visiting Gallmeyer Farms on Millers Lane in Henrico County with her mother, Briana Brockington, on Oct. 21.
Published on October 26, 2023
![DeAndre Smith and his son, Nuri Harris, 3, take a look at some of the Sling Shots from visiting riders attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the lot of Hot Wheelz Sling Shot Rentals.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/21/A1_Kid_Hot_Wheelz_Ribbon_Cutting_SS_031624_005_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
DeAndre Smith and his son, Nuri Harris, 3, take a look at some of the Sling Shots from visiting riders attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony on …
Published on March 21, 2024
![Elliott Mosby is careful not to drop his pumpkin at Ginter Park United Methodist Church on West Laburnum Avenue in the city’s North Side. Elliott visited the church’s pumpkin patch with his mother, Danielle Heerchap, on Oct. 15.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2022/10/20/A1_Kid_SS_002_101522_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Elliott Mosby is careful not to drop his pumpkin at Ginter Park United Methodist Church on West Laburnum Avenue in the city’s North Side. Elliott …
Published on October 20, 2022
![This dramatic and decorative street mural now fills the intersection at Mar- shall Street and Brook Road in Jackson Ward.
The work, painted in the red, black and green colors of the Pan-African flag, stands in front of Gallery 5, an award-winning art space housed in a historic 1849 building that served as the city’s first firehouse and police station.
Venture Richmond and the city’s Public Art Commission teamed with art spaces and businesses to develop the place-making project that was supported in part by a $25,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthro- pies’ Asphalt Art Initiative. The project, which cost a total of $40,000, produced a new brick plaza and bike rack in front of Gallery 5.
Artist Chris Visions created the mural painted by youth participants at ART 180, a nonprofit center of youth creativity based at 114 W. Marshall St. The central figure is Sankofa, a symbol and word of the Akan people of Ghana meaning “to retrieve.” The symbol is being used as a salute to Jackson Ward’s history as the once proud center of Black business, entertainment and culture.
The mural also is connected to a custom-designed parklet that fills two parking spaces in front of ART 180. The parklet, not pictured here, is one of five the city has sought to install to promote community and businesses.
The initiative came together this year as part of marking the 150th anniversary of the city’s creation of Jackson Ward in 1871. At the time, it was a gerrymandered political district for Black voters. Venture Richmond credited the two art groups, Big Secret, Walter Parks Architects, CB Chandler Construction, Cite Design, Richmond Toolbank and Vanderbilt Properties with helping create the space.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2021/12/30/Cityscape_Mural_Marshall_Brook_RD_112721_SS_011_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
This dramatic and decorative street mural now fills the intersection at Mar- shall Street and Brook Road in Jackson Ward. The work, painted in the …
Published on December 30, 2021
![Patience pays off for 5-year-old New Yorker Julian Graham, who got an up-close view of a vibrant butterfly while visiting the “Butterflies Live” exhibition with his family at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden last Saturday. The exhibit runs until Oct. 10.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2022/08/11/A1_Kid_Butterflies_Live_080622_002_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Patience pays off for 5-year-old New Yorker Julian Graham, who got an up-close view of a vibrant butterfly while visiting the “Butterflies Live” exhibition with …
Published on August 11, 2022
![Egg-citing! Youngsters take off to find the hidden eggs last Saturday at the 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Celebration at Blackwell Community Center in South Side. The free event was sponsored by Putting Communities Together Inc. and featured prizes, music, food and a visit by the Easter Bunny. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/04/19/Blackwell_Easter_Egg_Hunt_27_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Egg-citing! Youngsters take off to find the hidden eggs last Saturday at the 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Celebration at Blackwell Community Center in …
Published on April 19, 2019
![Ayla Hyndman, 6 months, is giving Soul Santa a close examination as if to determine if she can tell him all of her Christmas wishes. This is the first Christmas for Ayla, who visited Soul Santa, aka Floyd Brown, recently with her parents at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. Soul Santa has become an annual tradition at the museum in Jackson Ward.](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/12/19/Soul_Santa_014_2019_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Ayla Hyndman, 6 months, is giving Soul Santa a close examination as if to determine if she can tell him all of her Christmas wishes. …
Published on December 20, 2019
![Leave it to Santa: Skye Cook, 6, tells all her Christmas wishes to Soul Santa during a recent visit to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia in Jackson Ward. Soul Santa is always a big hit at the museum on December weekends leading up to the holiday. In just a few days, the youngster will see if Santa truly delivered. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2018/12/21/Soul_Santa_4_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Leave it to Santa: Skye Cook, 6, tells all her Christmas wishes to Soul Santa during a recent visit to the Black History Museum & …
Published on December 21, 2018
![Afroecology at ICA/
The multi-tiered greenery of Rashid Johnson’s “Monument” serves as a centerpiece for a two-day Afroecology program held last weekend at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Contemporary Art featuring musical guests, visiting artists and craftspersons. “Monument” is part of the “Provocations” exhibit showcasing Mr. Johnson’s work that will be on view through July 14 at the ICA, 601 W. Broad St. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/02/15/ICA_Rashid_Johnson_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Afroecology at ICA/ The multi-tiered greenery of Rashid Johnson’s “Monument” serves as a centerpiece for a two-day Afroecology program held last weekend at Virginia Commonwealth …
Published on February 15, 2019
![Afroecology at ICA - The multi-tiered greenery of Rashid Johnson’s “Monument” serves as a centerpiece for a two-day Afroecology program held last weekend at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Contemporary Art featuring musical guests, visiting artists and craftspersons. Carolyn Johnson sits next to the art installation to listen to a panel discussion on racial equity, urban agriculture and land justice on Saturday. “Monument” is part of the “Provocations” exhibit showcasing Mr. Johnson’s work that will be on view through July 14 at the ICA, 601 W. Broad St. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/02/15/Afro_Ecology_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
Afroecology at ICA - The multi-tiered greenery of Rashid Johnson’s “Monument” serves as a centerpiece for a two-day Afroecology program held last weekend at Virginia …
Published on February 15, 2019
![“McLean,” an installation by Navine G. Dossos, is featured on the façade of the Institute of Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. The installation is part of the exhibit “So it appears” opening on Feb. 24 at the ICA, 601 W Broad St. The vinyl pieces used in the work are adapted from a series of paintings. According to the ICA’s website, “McLean, ”commissioned for the ICA’s Belvidere Street façade, is an adaptation of the artist’s former work “No Such Organization (2018-2020),” a series of 100 gouache paintings of icons and symbols. Each painting is in response to a news article following the disappearance and heinous murder, in October 2018, of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who lived in Mclean in Northern Virginia. For more details, please visit https://icavcu.org/exhibitions/ mclean/](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/03/16/CITYSCAPE_MCLEAN_SS_031123_001_r190x220.jpg?15134d8ecf80f15357c5f07aa65289834e904796)
“McLean,” an installation by Navine G. Dossos, is featured on the façade of the Institute of Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. The installation is …
Published on March 16, 2023