Let There Be Light Shines Again at PVCC

Lack of daylight doesn’t stop art from being created; on the contrary, the most dazzling works shine brightest in the darkness. A group of the area’s most brilliant artists craft glowing sculptures, bring art to life in performance pieces, curate travelling art galleries, and host a parade. Each year, PVCC’s artistic community comes together to create a magical, sparkling night: Let There Be Light.

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the festival, and it will take place on campus, surrounding the V. Earl Dickinson Building, Friday, Dec. 12, 6-9 p.m. (rain date Saturday, Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m.) Let There Be Light is family-friendly and has free admission for all ages. Free parking is also available in the Dickinson Building lot and the PVCC main parking lot. Richmond’s Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) traveling art gallery, “VMFA on the Road,” will also be featured in its mobile exhibit. 

PVCC’s Chairperson of Visual and Performing Arts and Associate Professor of Art, Fenella Belle, has been involved in the event since its creation nearly two decades ago. She spent her first eight years as an artist and has been organizing ever since. 

Each year, about 15-16 artists volunteer to put on the festival in their free time. “They do it out of love for the community,” Belle said. 

The artists have prizes on the line for their pieces, with an audience choice vote for their favorite work for a cash prize. “Stakes with glowing rings are placed for voting that creates another art piece as the night goes on,” she said. 

No two festivals are the same. “You never know exactly what’s going to happen. Every year, I have been surprised by what artists bring to the gallery,” said Belle.  

 New to the festival this year, there will be two open parades at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. that anyone can hop into. “If people will dress with lights, they can join the parade! Anyone who wants to can jump in behind and follow along and join the parade,” Belle said.

 Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight for navigating outside after the sun sets. 

With free warm apple cider and hot chocolate to keep warm and food trucks on-site, it will be easy to spend the entire evening wandering among the exhibits, becoming lost in the lights. The 18th annual Let There Be Light will be an amazing interactive celebration of light during the darkest time of the year. Find more information on their website here.