Oakwood Arts

Oakwood Arts makes art and careers in creative industries accessible to all through community engagement, inspiring programming, and experiential education.

We are a fledgling arts center (Oakwood Arts) and gallery (P35) in the Oakwood neighborhood of Richmond's East End. By bringing together members of the community to engage with art in all its forms, we seek to make art, as well as careers in creative industries, accessible to all. We also aim to serve as a secular space in a rapidly changing neighborhood for economically and culturally diverse neighbors to gather, interact, and learn from one another.

03/25/2026

Come celebrate with Richmond native and 2023 Caldecott Honoree Janelle Washington as she launches her newest book, The Heart of Our Home!

Step into a story inspired by her childhood in Richmond’s Northside—where one kitchen table held laughter, lessons, and unforgettable moments. This heartfelt picture book is a joyful tribute to family, tradition, and the spaces that bring us together.

Bring the whole family for this free, fun-filled celebration—stories, connection, and a little bit of magic await!

✨ RSVP to save your spot—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

RSVP LINK IN OUR LINK TREE IN BIO

03/24/2026

From prep to wrap, this year’s OA JET training film Malcolm & Me brought together 20 film industry professionals and 30 OA JET crew members to produce something special.

Written and directed by Robin Farmer ( ) and adapted from her acclaimed novel, the film follows a young girl’s awakening as she begins to question the world around her. Over the course of an intensive prep week and four full days of production, our team transformed spaces into 1970s Philadelphia, navigated wild weather and tight turnarounds, and worked side by side across every department. From first setups to final shots, it’s a full picture of what it takes to bring a film to life—and what’s possible when mentorship and opportunity meet.

We’re incredibly proud of what was accomplished—but we’re not done yet. We still need to raise funds to close the gap and get this film through post-production. If you’re able, take a look at the giving levels in the final slide and be part of bringing Malcolm & Me all the way to the screen.

https://oakwoodarts.org/donate

03/17/2026

That’s a wrap on OA JET Productions’ short film Malcolm & Me! 🎬

Huge thanks to writer/director Robin Farmer for trusting us with her story, and to the incredible industry mentors who helped guide this production.

We’re so proud of the entire OA JET crew for their hard work—especially OA JET Coordinator and program alum Jasmine Elmore, who served as Director of Photography.

Special thanks to Red Star Rentals for generously sponsoring our G&E and camera gear.

Stay tuned… we can’t wait to share this film with you. ✨

Malcolm & Me Industry Mentors/ Crew:

DP: Jasmine Elmore (OA Jet Alum)
Sound Mixer: Jesse Smith (OA Jet Alum)
Production Manager: Hilary Kehoe
1st AD: Danny Caporaletti
Costume Design mentors: Amy Harrell & Nia Banks
Set Decorator/ Mentor: Sonny Flemming
Art Department Mentor: Mike Harrell
Props Mentor: Patrick Storey
Gaffer/ Electric Mentor: Andrew Corbin
Key Grip/ Mentor: Sid Caldwell
1st AC: Mark Bain
Locations Manager: Michael Smith
Script Supervisor: Romona Taylor

Photos: Julianne Tripp Hillian

03/16/2026

Day 3 of shooting Malcolm & Me

Today we were back at Trinity Baptist Church continuing work on Malcolm & Me, the beautiful film written and directed by Robin Farmer. We also want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing young people who joined us as extras in the school scenes. They did a fantastic job helping bring Roberta’s world to life.

This film is going to be something special, and we can’t wait for everyone to see it when it’s finished. In the meantime, we’ll be sharing more photos in the coming days. Here are just a few for now while our talented still photographers finish editing the many images they captured. Tomorrow is our final day of shooting, and we’ll be back in Church Hill to film two scenes we weren’t able to capture on our first day. 🎬

03/15/2026

Another early start — 7:30 AM call time. 🎬

Today the Malcolm & Me team is filming at Trinity Baptist Church, which is serving as our school location. We are so grateful that they are allowing us to film in their beautiful building.

We are blown away by the incredible work of our costume designers, who have truly nailed the 1973 catholic school look.

So grateful for this team and the care everyone is bringing to every detail as we bring Robin’s story to life.

03/14/2026

An incredible first day on set — so proud of this hardworking team.

Today marked the first day of production for Malcolm & Me, the newest film from OA JET Productions. Written and directed by Robin Farmer and adapted from her powerful novel, the film brings together OA JET crew members and experienced filmmakers working side by side. Emerging crew members gain hands-on experience across every step of the production process while helping bring this story to life.

&Me 🎥🎬🖤

03/10/2026

Super busy week at OA. We are just 3 days away from principal photography. Yesterday was our final production meeting and tech scout, and our newest OA JET cohort had a set protocol training and Jesse Smith train a sound department training for crew in his department. Today everyone was working hard in their individual departments. Costumes created closets for our principal cast, and the art department dressed the sets and pulled props. Tomorrow our technical departments will begin gear checkout.

We are still looking for some background extras ages 12–14, so if you know anyone who fits the bill, send headshot and clothing sizes to [email protected].

Everything is coming together, but we still haven’t reached our fundraising goal. Check out the link in our bio to learn how to support the film and the great perks that come with your tax-deductible donation to this meaningful project. &MeFilm 🎥🎬🖤

03/06/2026

Malcolm & Me is Oakwood Arts’ 2026 OA JET training film, bringing together 18 professional filmmakers to mentor 30 emerging crew members from across five OA JET cohorts. For the first time, two OA JET alumni will lead departments, marking a major milestone in the program’s growth and long-term impact.

Partially funded by a National Endowment for the Arts Arts Project Grant, the project requires a 1:1 funding match. Oakwood Arts is seeking to raise an additional $30,000 by March 13 to support paid training, mentorship, and production costs for the film.

Want to help support creative careers for all and receive great rewards for your valuable donations? Swipe Left to see rewards and behind the scene footage of our preparations.

02/11/2026

Oakwood Arts friends! Valentine's Day is this Saturday, just 3 days away! Need a last minute gift? We have an Art Kit designed by Raven Smith for you to create! Think of a friend, family member, or someone who could use a little extra appreciation. Use this kit to show this special person that you care about them and that they are in your heart this Valentine's Day.

Stop by and pick up an art kit at our Giving Library, outside of 3511 P St.

02/10/2026

CASTING CALL For Short Film “Malcolm and Me”

Link in Bio for more information
Genre: Drama, Coming-of-Age

Writer/ Director Robin Farmer

Production Company: OA JET Productions

Shooting in Greater Richmond Area Mid-March 2026

Logline: A Black Catholic teen struggling with adult hypocrisy in her Philadelphia school and home in the 70s learns the power of truth and forgiveness from the best teacher she never had: Malcolm X.
If interested, please send headshots and resume/reels to [email protected] .

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Auditions (in-person or online) will take place on both Thursday, Feb 19th, and Saturday Feb 21st! Applicants must be available for either of those dates to be considered!

PLEASE Confirm availability for audition, either Thurs. Feb. 19th (5:30 - 7:30 PM) or Sat. Feb. 21st (1:00-4:00 PM) and your preference for in-person or online, in your email submission.

01/21/2026

We are still glowing from all the loved we received on MLK day of service. Today was also the first day of our two new spring interns Norah & Natalie and they ended their first day with us stocking up our giving Libraries (including MLK Art Kits lovingly decorated by 5th graders) and the with goodies donated and packed by all our of our volunteers.

Address

3000 E Marshall St
Richmond, VA
23223

Website

http://oakwoodarts.com/, http://Linktr.ee/oakwoodarts

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