Documentary premier cancelled, to be rescheduled
Due to ongoing and expanding threats related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), all events scheduled at the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) have been cancelled. That includes the previously scheduled showing of "Petersburg Rising" at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13. All ICA events will be rescueduled in the near future.
Film shows struggle and resilience of Petersburg teens
A film exploring the lives of three Petersburg High School teens and how their community rallies around public education to attempt to break decades of economic distress was scheduled to premiere at 6:30 p.m. on March 13 at the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA). The premiere is co-sponsored by the VCU School of Education.
Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance by emailing ltownsend4@gmail.com.
The film crew was in Petersburg many times throughout 2018-19, talking with school and city leaders, state officials, partners and supporters and getting to know the three students whose stories form the heart of "Petersburg Rising." The featured students will be in attendance at the premiere, as will Alan Blankstein, the film’s executive producer, and Marcus Newsome, retired Petersburg superintendent.
Last year, the film was awarded first place by the Oliver White Hill Foundation in the professional category of its social justice short film competition.
Blankstein said that the 30-minute documentary "addresses issues that cities across our nation are struggling with. The film shows how Virginia and Petersburg leaders began to rally around education as the lever to change the direction of a city in economic distress. It also shows the struggle and resilience of the inspiring students who opened their lives to us, and we are honored to bring 'Petersburg Rising' to the world."
More information (including parking) about visiting the ICA.
Watch the "Petersburg Rising" trailer on YouTube: