COMMUNITY COLLECTION

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Our Community Collection is all about YOU. Maybe it’s your favorite memory of being on or near the river as a kid, or perhaps it’s why the river is so important to you now… it could be how the river makes you feel and why, or what purpose the river has served in your life and the lives of those around you.

We set out with a goal to gather as many stories as possible to highlight and represent the many voices of our watershed, and we are always looking for more! We hope you enjoy these personal tales by watching, listening, and reading submissions from across the James River watershed.

How do you love the James?

Tokens of Affection

Tokens of Affection

ARTWORK by Jere Kittle, Richmond, VATokens of Affection. I am a photographer in Richmond VA and a member of Artspace Gallery…

A Daily Companion

A Daily Companion

ARTWORK by Steve Ferretti, Richmond, VA I moved to Richmond seven years ago and the James River has become a daily companion to me. It’s a dimension….

A move to ‘somewhere’

A move to ‘somewhere’

Artwork by Sandhi Schimmel Gold, Midlothian, VAMy husband and I were making a move to “somewhere” after many years in the desert. Our #1 criteria? Somewhere where there is water in the riverbed…

I am one with the river

I am one with the river

ARTWORK by Alice Ellis, Glen Allen, VA Since I went canoeing, the river has been flowing through my artwork….

Immersing Ourselves in Nature

Immersing Ourselves in Nature

ESSAY by Natalie Farmer, Richmond, VA Immersing ourselves in nature allows us to disengage from the constant distractions of society…

Wet Feet

Wet Feet

ARTWORK by Amber Ellis, Buckingham, VA Grateful I got my feet wet on the first day of fall before…

Soothing Effect

Soothing Effect

ESSAY by Lindsey Melvin, Henrico, VA Growing up in rural Goochland County, I was soothed by the sounds of nature although…

No Experts

No Experts

ESSAY by Jim McCullough, Midlothian, VA See the casual grace. The nonchalance. The unmitigated power. Yeah, we’re talking water. ..

Sort by prompt

Using these prompts, James River lovers have shared essays, videos, audio recordings, poems, photographs and drawings that capture why the James River is important to them.