Richmond Team

After a tornado in Kansas canceled Jump!Star’s 2019 premiere, the illuminated paper sculptures—built by hundreds of hands—were carefully packed and stored in a barn for a couple years, then in warehouses for a few more. By 2024, as continued storage had become impossible, Jump!Star’s Creative Director George Ferrandi planned a small farewell showing for friends and neighbors before permanently dismantling them.

That plan changed when Joe Seipel—artist, educator, and a foundational force in the Richmond arts community—was asked by 1708 Gallery, which he helped establish, if there was a former student whose work he’d like to see exhibited alongside his own retrospective at nearby The Anderson. He suggested George.

With that gesture, the project found new life. 1708 Gallery literally removed its windows to bring the monumental paper sculptures inside. The Richmond community’s response was heartwarming and revitalizing—artists, curators, interns, and neighbors came together to support Jump!Star and its future. What could have been a final farewell became a moment of profound renewal.

Circling from the left: Unicia Buster of 1708 and The Anderson/1708/VCU crew capped off by Cid Cher and Sarah Irwin

Over the past year, 1708 Gallery has worked tirelessly to re-envision what Jump!Star! could be now. Their dedication and committed work have made the project centerpiece of this year’s InLight event. Through their efforts, a new team of collaborators stepped forward in Richmond. Over the summer, a team of phenomenal interns took on the painstaking fabrication of Iota Cephei in the gallery at 1708. And the Anderson Gallery welcomed us into their space, enabling Iota to be completed and ultimately premiered with great fan fare in a rapidly-realized retrospective of George Ferrandi’s work, Big Top Energy .

Thanks to 1708 Gallery’s tireless three-person team—who have moved mountains with their grace and grit—Richmond became the place where the Future North Star sculptures and all of the Jump!Star programming can finally shine.

Welcome to Super!Giant!Jump!Star!