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2015 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 691
Celebrating the life of Beverly Lynn Ward Reynolds.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 23, 2015
Agreed to by the Senate, January 29, 2015

 

WHEREAS, Beverly Lynn Ward Reynolds, who played a major role in developing a vibrant arts community in Richmond as a cofounder of the Reynolds-Minor Art Gallery and was an ardent believer in the intrinsic good that art brings to people’s lives, died on November 23, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Wilmington, Delaware, Beverly Reynolds, who was known as Bev to her friends and family, was reared in Chicago and Washington, D.C.; she graduated from the University of Tennessee, then moved to New York for eight years where she met her husband, David; and

WHEREAS, while in New York, Bev Reynolds was a docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; she also worked with Jeanne Frank, a noted art dealer, and when she moved to Richmond, she began to showcase contemporary artists’ works at her home, inviting people to socialize and shop; and

WHEREAS, the success of that effort prompted Bev Reynolds, together with a friend, to open the Reynolds-Minor Gallery in downtown Richmond; it now is in a building in the Fan District and is called the Reynolds Gallery; it is one of the country’s most respected contemporary art galleries; and

WHEREAS, works by world-renowned contemporary artists are the focus of exhibits at the Reynolds Gallery; Bev Reynolds also encouraged and displayed the work of exceptional Virginia artists, including Theresa Pollak, Wolf Kahn, Nell Blaine, Sally Mann, Tara Donovan, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Bev Reynolds worked hard to help establish the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University; she had studied at the university when it was known as Richmond Professional Institute; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, Bev Reynolds received an Outstanding Woman Award from the YWCA, and in 2012 she was named a National Philanthropy Volunteer of the Year; she also served on many arts-related boards, including the Arts Council of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Bev Reynolds’ social nature, her deep interest in people, her curiosity, and her commitment to making a positive difference in her community were reflected in the happy times many people had at Friday night gatherings at her home; and

WHEREAS, several times each year Bev Reynolds returned to New York, drawing strength from the city’s energy and creative spirit; she also loved spending time at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where she delighted in being with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Bev Reynolds, who was predeceased by her son, David, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her husband, David; their children, Quentin, Alec, Alice, and Margaret, and their families; and by many other family members, friends, and artists whom she befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Beverly Lynn Ward Reynolds, owner of the Reynolds Art Gallery, whose strong belief in the value of art in people’s lives helped create Richmond’s vibrant arts community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Beverly Lynn Ward Reynolds as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for her memory.