Julian Raven, Opens Gallery and Studio on Wards Road

When artist Julian Raven shares his story, he paints a picture as vivid and lively as the stunning works he displays in his new gallery on Wards Road.

Raven’s journey from a young English boy living in Spain with a penchant and talent for art to an internationally celebrated artist with a vast and versatile catalog of work has been full of peaks, valleys, and serendipitous moments. He seems to recall every step of his journey with gratitude for bringing him to where he is today.

Raven’s earliest memory of loving art occurred when he was about eight years old and living in Spain.

“I can remember sitting with my father on a veranda in a villa in southern Spain, where I grew up,” he recalled. “It was a sunny day, and I did a colored pencil drawing of some beautiful bougainvillea that was wrapped around a white-washed wall. It was a clear picture of my inclination towards the visual arts.”

When his family moved to Portugal when he was a bit older, Raven attended tiny international English-speaking schools and continued pursuing his passion for art. He won several art contests, but because the arts were not prioritized in these schools, Raven was not fully supported in his pursuit—that is, until the day his math teacher found him sketching in the school’s library.

“My math teacher saw me doodling in the library at the English International College and set a crushed can of Coke in front of me to sketch,” said Raven. “After I was done sketching, he basically took me by the hand and walked me over to meet David Bodlak, an artist and teacher in the art department.”

Bodlak mentored and championed Raven when the latter was in his mid-teens and continues to be a source of great inspiration to him to this day.

“He was a wonderful mentor,” Raven stated. “His enthusiasm and encouraging spirit were incredible. In an art class where you have all different skill levels, he would go from student to student and always find something redeemable about each person’s work. He has had a tremendous impact on me.”

Raven graduated high school at the age of 16 and took a year off to focus on his art. He then went on to study at the prestigious Chelsea College of Arts in London.

During his time at the College, Raven experienced a series of highs and lows. Although he “was in heaven because the facilities were huge,” he was struggling greatly with his father’s death, which happened when Raven was only 10, and with the political climate that surrounded him. He notes that he lost his faith in God and often felt hopeless and lost during this time.

Raven ended up leaving the College and going back to Spain, where he began to work in the bar business. Then, in early 1992, Raven’s life changed dramatically as he sat alone on a mountain.

“I came to faith in God in Spain, alone and sitting on a mountain, contemplating nature,” he recalled.
“That experience changed my life and led me down a spiritual journey where I began to pursue missionary work.”

This missionary work brought him to America. He originally planned to do missionary work in California for six months and then move to Mexico as a missionary, but he ended up moving to Elmira, New York, in 1996 instead. There, he met his wife, Gloria, and they started their own business: Raven’s Custom Creations. As Raven used his artistic skills to create custom-painted and decorative furniture, his passion for art was invigorated.

In addition to thriving artistically, Raven was spiritually and personally fulfilled. He and Gloria had three children, and he opened his own gallery in Elmira in 2007. Then the 2008 financial crisis occurred.

Forced to close the gallery, Raven and his family moved back to Spain for a year and a half. Ultimately, they moved back to Elmira and Raven opened a new gallery.

After entertaining the idea of RVing out west, Raven and Gloria decided to move to Lynchburg, where all three of their children still study at Liberty University. Raven knew that he wanted to open a gallery here; the challenge was finding the right spot for it. Julian Raven Artist, LLC, found a home at 2121 Wards Road and officially opened on March 25.

“I could have gotten a warehouse and been off the beaten path,” he said. “I looked at those options but decided that if I wanted to get up and running, I needed to be in an area with more movement. It’s sort of an unlikely setting for an art studio because I’m stuck between a Wendy’s and a McDonald’s, but it’s also sort of fitting because I’m a contrarian by nature. It just had what I saw as the bones to be something great.”

Raven and his son spent six weeks completely renovating the building, which houses not only Raven’s work, but also what he calls his “Renaissance Creative Palette” of services: painting parties, art classes, portrait painting and photography, and more. There is a screen-printing room downstairs and a brand-new photo studio, for which a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on June 15.

Raven says that his painting parties are a “real way to connect with people,” and adds that “seeing people who have never painted before create works of art is remarkable.” According to Raven, one gentleman came in a couple of times to paint, and after Raven shared the man’s second painting on Instagram, it sold for $100.

When it comes to Raven’s own work, he is a multimedia artist and photographer.

“I have a lot of very broad experience because my artistic hunger has made me curious to discover and try new things,” he noted. “I like to be constantly challenged. I always seem to find difficult things to do!”

That said, Raven specializes in abstract expressionism, which he says allows him “to share his inner-world experience and joy.” He recalls that an attendee of one of his shows referred to him as a “happy Pollock,” a moniker that he happily embraced.

There is no telling where Raven’s journey will take him next, but one thing is certain: he will continue to see the beauty in all things and to share his interpretations of that beauty with others.

“Beauty, for me, is so arresting,” he stated. “When I see true beauty—nature, people—I want
to capture it and share it with others. We live in some pretty serious times right now. I want people to feel lighter after leaving my gallery.”  

To learn more about Julian Raven, his gallery and studio, and his art, check out his website (julianraven.com) and Facebook page.

Not sure where to go for your oral health or dental treatments? Look no further than the experts referenced in our Area Dental Guide. From braces for your kids to the dental professionals you want in your corner when there’s an issue, we have you covered.

For decades, there has been an ongoing debate surrounding fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral in food and water. It is often added to public water supplies, toothpaste, and other dental products because of its potential advantages for dental health. However, controversies have arisen due to concerns about its safety and potential adverse effects. Whether you choose to use fluoride in your home or not, it’s important to know as much as possible about this polarizing mineral. 

The Good News Dental Health Benefits

One of the most significant advantages of fluoride is its ability to prevent tooth decay. When fluoride is present in the mouth, it can strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria. This mineral can also help reverse early stages of tooth decay, reducing the need for costly dental treatments in the long run. Fluoridated water has been particularly effective in decreasing tooth decay rates, benefiting communities with limited access to dental care. If you don’t feel like you’re getting enough of the mineral through your water, a dentist can also apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of:

Foam: dispensed into a custom tray, then placed over your teeth.

Varnish: painted directly on to your teeth.

Gel: painted on your teeth or dispensed in a custom tray.

Widely Accessible 

Fluoride is readily available and inexpensive. It can be found in many dental care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Additionally, the process of adding fluoride to public water supplies is relatively simple and cost-effective, making it an accessible preventive measure for oral health. This widespread availability ensures that individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds can benefit from fluoride’s dental protective effects.

Benefits to the Community

Adding fluoride to public water supplies benefits the entire community, including individuals who may not have access to regular dental care. This population-wide approach has proven effective in reducing tooth decay rates, especially among children. Research has indicated that adding fluoride to water can cause notable reductions in tooth decay, leading to better overall oral health for the entire community.

Evidence Based Research

Extensive scientific research conducted for many years has shown that fluoride is beneficial for preventing tooth decay. Numerous studies that reviewed large amounts of data consistently found that fluoride, when used in the right amounts, effectively prevents cavities. This research forms the basis for dental health policies worldwide, which recommend the use of fluoride to promote oral health.

The Bad News Dental Fluorosis

Excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development can lead to dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition that affects the appearance of teeth. Mild fluorosis may result in barely noticeable white streaks or spots on the enamel, while severe fluorosis can cause brown discoloration and pitting. Although dental fluorosis does not typically affect dental function or cause pain, it can be a source of aesthetic concern for some individuals.

Potential Health Risks

While the majority of scientific research supports the safety of fluoride when used appropriately, there are concerns about potential health risks associated with excessive fluoride intake. Some studies have suggested a possible link between high fluoride levels and skeletal fluorosis, a condition characterized by joint pain and stiffness. However, it’s important to note that these cases are usually associated with long-term exposure to extremely high levels of fluoride, primarily from drinking water sources in specific geographic areas. For example, the Rift Valley region in East Africa, which includes countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda, has too much fluoride in its water. This happens because the rocks and ash in the area contain a lot of fluoride, which gets into the groundwater when rainwater passes through them. The natural fluoride levels in the water are higher than what is considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Lack of Control 

One of the primary concerns raised by fluoride critics is the lack of control over dosage. When fluoride is added to public water supplies, individuals have limited control over their fluoride intake, as it depends on the amount of water consumed and other sources of fluoride in their diet. This lack of control has led some individuals to advocate for alternative methods of fluoride application, such as topical treatments or fluoride supplements.

Individual Sensitivities

Some individuals may experience allergic reactions or other sensitivities to fluoride. Symptoms such as skin rashes or gastrointestinal issues can occur in rare cases. Additionally, individuals with kidney problems may be more susceptible to the potential adverse effects of fluoride due to impaired fluoride excretion.

Fluoride has proven to be an effective tool in preventing tooth decay and improving oral health. However, it is important to carefully consider its potential side effects and monitor fluoride levels in water to ensure a balance between its benefits and risks.  

The Willing Suspension of Disbelief

Royal Shirée brings activism and change to the stage

Photo by Ashlee Glen

Royal Shirée began her playwright and solo performing career while she was in college, but her flair for dramatic storytelling goes back to when she was a toddler. Shirée used to volunteer for story hour in school and spin fairytales, but as she grew older, she began to tell stories rooted in today’s societal issues. In her plays, all the “-isms” became the dragons that needed to be slain.

“Theater is the willing suspension of disbelief,” Shirée said. “You have to place yourself in that moment, in that time, and forget that you are looking at a stage or looking at a person saying lines. Theater is an active part of activism. It is also a very real part of connecting to people and their spirits.”

For Shirée, theater is more than entertainment; it’s education. Shirée grew up in a family of educators and so was raised with an educator mentality. Her award-winning play Sisters, a collaboration with Connecticut-based playwright Joanne Hudson, was incorporated into the Ridgefield, CT, middle school curriculum.

Markedly, Shirée wrote her solo piece Clippings while she studied at Hollins University to earn her MFA in playwriting. Shirée values this play for its important themes. Clippings explores global female abuse through domestic violence, rape, the system sworn to protect, and notably, the horror of female genital mutilation, which is practiced in areas of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

“Everyone has a backstory and there are a lot of social ills that people fall victim to,” Shirée said. “I want to address those issues to help change and positively affect the lives of the ignored.”

Shirée harbors a deep love for writing. She describes it as her escapism, with the need of “the intellectual stimulation of writing.”

“Writing is an expedition,” Shirée said. “You have to really discover [the story], then you have to exhume a lot of facts, then you analyze [them] … I always want to know why—why this and why that …. Instead of writing ‘this is the person,’ I want to write about how this person came to be.”

Storytellers like Jamaica Kincaid, August Wilson, Spike Lee, and Maya Angelou inspired Shirée to be bold in her art. Their work also helped Shirée learn how to develop characters and give them authenticity. 

That being said, writing and performing activate two different parts of her brain. Shirée describes performing as being all about the timing, rhythm, accents, and crescendo. Her role as a performer is to bring to life all of the voices she wrote into the script.

“I think it’s really important that the voices are heard. … These voices may be male, may be female, may be drunk, may be dying, whatever the case may be,” she explained.

Shirée currently works as the resident playwright at the Hamner Theater. Though she is battling health issues, Shirée refuses to abandon her passion. She makes an effort to think creatively, if not write, every day.  

To support her work, visit her website at www.royalshiree.com.

Provides Infused Cookies and Ice Cream to the Community

Photos by Ashlee Glen

Lynchburg residents looking for a unique way to satisfy their sweet tooth should consider visiting FUSE, an infused-cookie food truck located next door to Cookout on Wards Road. 

The food truck, owned and operated by Alan Sexten, combines ice cream, freshly baked cookies, and cookie fillers, allowing customers to tailor the dessert to their personal preferences. With eight standard cookies and nine ice cream flavors—plus rotating flavors of the month for each—patrons have a wide variety of options. In addition, one filler can be injected straight into the middle of each cookie for no additional charge if the patron so chooses. Filler options currently include Nutella, marshmallow cream, Oreo buttercream, Hershey’s fudge, Hershey’s caramel, and Reese’s peanut butter. 

Customers can opt to have cookies and ice cream served separately or order a specialty item that combines both cookies and ice cream. Many customers choose the ice cream sandwich, which combines two cookies, two fillers, and one large scoop of ice cream. 

Sexten stated that his reasoning behind the food truck, which re-opened for the 2023 season in April, was to provide Lynchburg residents with something different from the other dessert shops in the area. 

The business’s current hours are 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. Although currently holding unorthodox hours due to Sexten’s full-time job in Richmond, VA, it still provides customers with the chance to grab a late-night bite long after most other businesses close. 

Sexten prototyped FUSE in 2021 and said that doing so allowed him to perfect his craft. Starting with his mother’s homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe, he carefully altered the ingredients for each cookie type sold today. 

Sexten, who studied criminal justice at Liberty University, stated that he has continued to grow as a businessman through running the food truck.

“Through this, I have been able to learn so much more than I could through books or learn through YouTube, or even through classes,” he said. “When you get hands-on, it’s so much different.”

Sexten is currently constructing a second 8.5 x 24-foot trailer that not only will be insulated but also double the size of the current trailer (7 x 12 feet).  

 Potential customers can visit fusecookies.com for a full menu or check it out for themselves at 2623 Wards Road. 

Meals on Wheels Delivers Delight to Doorsteps

As Meals on Wheels approaches its 50th anniversary next year, the organization continues to be a pillar of community support in Lynchburg, serving individuals of all ages and income levels. Founded in 1974, the program relies on the dedication of volunteers and local fundraising efforts to provide nourishing meals and essential connections to those in need. 

Kris Shabestar, executive director for Meals on Wheels, said the organization is a community-supported entity that takes pride in meeting the needs of the local population. Unlike other programs that rely on state or federal funding, Meals on Wheels operates independently, enabling them to serve a diverse range of individuals without restrictions. From the youngest recipient at 23 to the oldest at 102, the program is committed to delivering sustenance and support to all who require it.

When government funding often comes with strict regulations and limitations, the nonprofit stands apart as a beacon of independence and discretion. Becky Tweedy, the organization’s communications director, emphasized their unique position, highlighting the freedom they have to use their discernment and adapt to the diverse needs of their recipients.

“There are unique situations that can cause someone to be homebound and we’re able to step in and fill that gap because there is a gap,” she said. “Last year 18 percent of the people we served were under the age of 60 and if we weren’t here to do that, then they wouldn’t have a resource.”

Meals on Wheels does not accept any government funding, Tweedy said, which grants them the liberty to navigate each situation individually and provide the necessary support.

The organization prides itself on its ability to respond swiftly in times of crisis. Shabestar said the organization remains agile and nimble, ready to provide assistance when unexpected situations arise. Through their emergency meals program, they ensure that anyone facing a crisis within their service area receives a meal the very next day. 

“Life happens and crazy things happen,” she said. “We are here for those crazy situations. If there’s a crisis, we can deliver a meal the next day.”

Covering 42 routes across the city of Lynchburg and Amherst and Campbell counties, Meals on Wheels relies on the dedication of volunteers to make their mission a reality. The delivery routes typically take between an hour and an hour and a half to complete, allowing volunteers to contribute their time based on their availability. 

Some volunteers commit to weekly deliveries, while others opt for monthly or occasional shifts. The flexibility and convenience of volunteering make it accessible to anyone who wishes to contribute, Tweedy said.

Tweedy estimates that they rely on the commitment of approximately 108 to 150 individuals. Each new route requires 10 to 12 volunteers, underscoring the perpetual need for volunteers to ensure Meals on Wheels can continue expanding its reach.

She said volunteers often find fulfillment in knowing they are making an immediate and meaningful difference in someone’s life. Recipients, many of whom are isolated and lack family support, greatly appreciate the door-to-door interactions and the assurance that someone genuinely cares for their well-being.

“So many of the people we serve are isolated and many of them do not have any family connections or support,” Tweedy said. “Many of our recipients do not have an emergency contact on file and if they don’t answer the door, you can bet your bottom dollar we’re calling and following up or
going to the hospital. That sort of isolation can just be devastating.”

Beyond the nutritious meals, the Meals on Wheels program serves as a vital safety check
and a meaningful connection to the community for its recipients. 

“It’s a reason to get up in the morning, it’s a reason to read the paper, it’s a reason to listen to the news. It’s someone to talk to about your interests and your habits and your activities,” Shabestar said. “People ask, ‘How’s your dog?’ ‘How’d your doctor’s appointment go?’ Relationships are absolutely vital and that is why we do so much more than just deliver meals.”

Meals on Wheels goes above and beyond the delivery of meals, recognizing the importance of uplifting recipients’ spirits during special occasions. Birthday boxes, poinsettia deliveries during the holidays, and heartfelt cards from community members demonstrate the organization’s commitment to fostering joy and a sense of belonging. 

“A couple of years ago we did a survey of our recipients and 85 percent of those said they feel better, healthier, and stronger because they get Meals on Wheels, and it’s not just the food, it is the relationship we build,” she said. “One lady said this is the only present I will receive this year. Another lady said this was the first present she’s gotten in 20 years.”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the demand for Meals on Wheels services. They are currently delivering 65 percent more meals than before the pandemic.

While the organization has been able to expand its reach and impact, the need for more volunteers, financial support, and advocates remains critical, Shabestar said.

“We definitely need more volunteers,” she said. “Everyone can do something. We need financial support and we need advocates. There’s a real misunderstanding about what we do, and who we can serve.”

According to Tweedy, the cost of delivering a meal through the organization is approximately $5.49, totaling around $27 per week, $110 per month, and $1,300 per year. She added that it is also noteworthy that 56 percent of the people served by Meals on Wheels live at or below the poverty level. Over 80 percent of these recipients receive their meals at no cost, while 8 to 10 percent contribute what they can afford. The organization operates on a sliding scale, allowing individuals to make a meaningful investment in their care, avoiding the stigma of accepting pure charity.

Shabestar said Meals on Wheels is not solely a long-term commitment but can also be a temporary solution during recovery periods, ensuring individuals regain their independence swiftly.

Recognizing the importance of companionship, the organization has also implemented an animal program. Pets serve as vital companions, particularly for those living alone. Additionally, Meals on Wheels accepts donations of cat food to ensure that pets remain well-fed, thereby alleviating the financial burden for lower-income individuals who might otherwise share their own meals with their furry friends.

“We found that they were sharing their meals, which is not healthy for the person, so we accept donations of pet food, which is collected at a number of veterinary clinics and other sites around town,” Tweedy said.

In September, the organization will serve its three-millionth meal, a major milestone,
Shabestar said.

“We’re delivering right now just under 600 meals a day,” she said. “We deliver every day, 52 weeks a year, even holidays, and that’s all due to volunteers and this community stepping up.”