VA HJR71

Commends the Richlands Area Citizens for the Arts (CART) for 44 years of promoting arts education and cultural enrichment in Southwest Virginia, specifically in Richlands and Tazewell County

CART was established in 1981 by Mary Lawson and local residents, originally as Community Artist Residency Training, to bring artists and musicians to the region

The organization hosted international art exhibitions, performances by artists including Chet Atkins, Louise Mandrell, and Burl Ives, and theatre productions such as Man of La Mancha and Babes in Toyland

CART provided arts-in-education programming in Tazewell County schools and was funded through Virginia Commission for the Arts grants, local governments, foundations, and private donors

The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to present a copy to Executive Director Ginger Branton and President Elaine Holmes following the organization's final season in 2025