Richard Carlyon

A pivotal figure in the Richmond, Va. arts community, Richard’s reputation as an influential teacher at VCU is legendary.

Everyone who knew him has a story about him.

I knew him as Dick – unaware of reputation, title or superlatives — he was one of my parents’ closest friends. A central part of the eclectic artist community I grew up in. This was a world of sculptors, writers, painters, creatives.  Dick and others paraded through my childhood, shaping my art foundation as well as forming and framing an understanding of community …. an appreciation for the candid beauty found in people from all walks of life.

Art was life and life was art. It was shapes, colors, images, stories, and possibility. Work was constantly being created – for no other reason than the passion to do so – and I saw what was possible.