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@helleborus_studio

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Furniture maker, blacksmith, leather worker, multi-media artist.
Co-owner of True Furniture Makers @truefurnituremakers

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The @viragoalley @rvarenfaire crew took a field trip to the Maryland Ren Faire today!!! @mdrennfest

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Seeing this tapestry by @scrapptorium_rva hanging in our new headquarters brings tears to my eyes.

For the Richmond Ren Faire, Cheryn surprised us with this hand-painted tapestry telling the story of the @rvarenfaire founding and somehow managed to capture not just the milestones, but the people, personalities, little details, and magic that made this whole wild journey what it is.

It begins with me in my little yellow house, gathered around the table with friends and dreamers for one of our first real brainstorming sessions, almost like our own Knights of the Round Table. An idea being passed around a room, not knowing yet just how big it would become.

Then comes our March 2025 launch outside of Gallery5. Our first Warriors in Bloom at Agecroft Hall. Surviving the winter months together as we worked toward April 2026. And woven throughout it all are so many familiar faces and characters who became part of our story and helped us get here.

And the details absolutely wreck me. She got my braids. She got my bow. Ash is there with their pink hair. Even Pixel and I are featured frolicking through the forests. ❤️

This piece means the world to me. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone capture the history of something I helped create in quite this way. Looking at it feels like watching our own little mythology unfold before us, except we actually lived it.

Cheryn is a true scribe and storyteller, documenting our lore and history in real time and turning the memories we’ve made together into something that can live beyond us.

To see all of those moments gathered into one piece, and now hanging in the headquarters of what we dreamed into existence, is incredibly emotional.

Humbled doesn’t even begin to cover it. ❤️

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AUGUSTTTT!!! Oh my god what an absolutely rad month. Despite some health stuff within the mix I had the best birthday ever and am so eternally grateful for all of my friends and the beautiful circles I have found myself in. This was one for the books ♥️

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VIRAGO: AN EXHIBITION

Opening downstairs at Gallery5 in conjunction with Virago Alley, this exhibition brings together more than a dozen artists from the Richmond Ren Faire and Virago Alley community, each exploring what the word virago means to them.

Through these works, artists consider the virago’s historical significance, its evolution, and the ways the term continues to be understood and represented today.

Featuring works by:
Amanda Robinson · Betsy Ebson · Bizhan Khodabandeh · Brandi Walker · Brent Stubblefield · Brit Austin · Cheryn Rapp · Chiara Scuro · Emily Miller · Kale Jeffery · Keith Barch · Kevin Berry · Kiersten Thomas (O’Wisteria) · Lady Octavia · Nico Cathcart

Opening Friday, September 4 · 5–11 PM
as part of First Fridays Art Walk and Gallery5’s Season Kickoff.

Come wander downstairs and discover the many faces of the virago.

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⚔️ LIVE COMBAT DEMONSTRATIONS PRESENTED BY VIRAGO ALLEY ⚔️

The fighters are coming to Jackson Ward on September 4th as part of the Virago Alley Grand Opening and Gallery5 Season Kickoff! 6:00–9:00 PM

Step up to the arena for an evening of live HEMA combat demonstrations, presented by Virago Alley in a large outdoor combat arena on the streets of Jackson Ward.

Watch skilled fighters bring historic martial arts to life through demonstrations featuring:

⚔️ Longsword
⚔️ Saber
⚔️ Spear
⚔️ Rapier
⚔️ Sidesword
⚔️ Dagger work
⚔️ Shamshir
⚔️ And more

But this is more than a combat demonstration. Experience these weapons and techniques brought to life while discovering the rich history of Historical Martial Arts and learning more about the many disciplines, classes, and workshops Virago Alley will be offering in the coming season.

SEPTEMBER 4 • 6:00–9:00 PM
FIRST FRIDAYS
OUTDOORS ON MARSHALL STREET

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A short break during a board development session. Go figure, it involved sword fighting and juggling! 🤺🤹

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Yesterday we held our first Historical Martial Arts Club meeting in the new space. It feels good to get out of the heat.

While we are grateful to the public parks system for hosting us this year, it’s much easier to practice when you aren’t facing the elements.

Stay tuned for more information regarding our public grand opening taking place next month as well as information regarding upcoming educational offerings 👀

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Happy 804 Day everyone 🖤

What an honor it is to bring a little magic and whimsy to this community that we hold so dear at a time when the world is dark and grim.

Your support is not lost on us and we will continue to show up and make things weird (affirmative) for as long as it brings you all joy.

This past year has been a whirlwind of a journey watching thousands of people rally to uplift local artists, makers, performers, tradesmen, and all around silly lil guys. People are powerful when they decide to come together and we have seen that through this work at the ground level.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended Warriors in Bloom this past weekend. Despite the heat and rain we had a memorable time surrounded by so much dang positivity.

Richmond is special, nobody does it like RVA. We love you guys 🖤

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⚔️🌸Warriors In Bloom 2026🌸⚔️

Wow… What a weekend I just had-

I worked as one of the volunteers for such an amazing event held at @agecrofthallgardens and run by @viragoalley

I have to say everyone I worked with made me feel warm and welcome to the environment. A place where many weirdo’s and small artisans can unite. A place where those who don’t fit our modern normal can breathe.

Also a wonderful photographer @duncleteddy took a couple of the photos while I was there! The one of me with the sword out and the one with me holding the sword to the side while my partner was hugging me!

I felt a sense to help with this since @viragoalley gave me a place to feel more free. Just starting to get into sword combat has been rough for me, and it’s been hard to have the confidence to move forward. However I am very grateful for the patience of the instructors for @viragoalley HEMA. I would like to add a particularly specific mention to @mended_arrow for being even extra patient and considerate instructor for me in the process. Thank you…

My wonderful hard working partner @lowesbian (and partner in crime 😉) presented me an absolutely astonishing piece of work. A sword custom to me and I have no amount of words that could possibly match how I feel about it. I cried in an unbelievably happy manner.

And all in all… I loved the whimsical atmosphere of it all. I hope to work hard towards being in the sparring arena some day.

#viragoalley #warriorsinbloom #agecrofthallgardens #rva #hema

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I had a great weekend but it hurts to move now. Another great event with @viragoalley. Currently lying on top of @lindiss_thehybrid and she isn't letting me out of her sight until I get better lmao.

#art #sword #renfaire #history #lgbtq

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Happy birthday to our board member @helleborus_studio 🖤

Kevin is beloved amongst this community and has contributed both guidance and mentorship to our volunteers and set building crew. He is a skilled carpenter (check his page out) who designed and lead the crew who built our entry way gate for the @rvarenfaire, the largest set build this organization has ever taken on.

We love Kevin very much for his kind, genuine, and supportive nature. He will be spending his birthday at Warriors in Bloom with us serving as a liaison to vendors. If you’re working or attending today, make sure you say hello and a big ole happy birthday to him.

Thank you for all you do, buddy. We couldn’t imagine this team without you 🖤

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Warriors in Bloom day 1 opens in 2 hours! Get yo tickets!

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