CHARLOTTESVILLE STORIES
D'ERTH CROZIER THOMAS



From the Saint Louis Art Museum Collection

Charlottesville has long been a city of artists, a place where creativity takes root in unexpected corners and flourishes in vibrant, often unseen ways. What began as an intimate portrait of a single painter, Edward Thomas, quickly unfolded into a much larger canvas—one that captures the diverse and dynamic art scene of Charlottesville at the turn of the 21st century.
Charlottesville Stories is a collection of four short films, each dedicated to a singular voice in the local arts community. Together, they form a kaleidoscope of creative expression, illuminating the ways in which these artists shape, and are shaped by, their surroundings.
Painter Karen Blair brings to life the landscapes and energy of the region with color and movement, bridging the natural and the abstract.
Edward Thomas, whose vision first set this project in motion, offers a deeply personal exploration of place and memory through his brushwork.
Musician John D’earth, a cornerstone of Charlottesville’s jazz scene, transforms sound into storytelling, improvisation into poetry.
And sculptor Robert Bricker works with stone and bronze, carving timeless echoes of history and form.
Together, their stories offer a first glimpse into the artistic spirit of Charlottesville—a conversation that will continue, evolving with each new chapter of Charlottesville Stories.
A film made possible with the support of the
DOCUMENTARY FILM FUND
Executive Producers
Alice BOCCIA and Eduardo MONTES-BRADLEY
Associate Producer Rosa BERLAND
Made possible with the contribution of
Mrs. Nancy KRANZBERG
Made in collaboration with
The Edward E. Boccia Research Foundation
Washington University in Saint Louis
Saint Louis Art Museum
Music by
John D'erth
Produced by
HERITAGE FILM PROJECT
Written, Edited, and Directed by
Eduardo MONTES-BRADLEY