Philanthropist W. Baxter Perkinson Jr., who built a successful dental practice spread across the region and became a passionate arts advocate, is pledging $1 million to St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond for a new assembly hall.
The donation by Perkinson, 77, and his wife, Elaine, marks the biggest contribution to the One. Together. capital campaign. The school, which has about 400 students, relocated from Bon Air to the W.E. and Dale Harman Singleton Campus.
The Hubbard Hall building, which houses lower school grades, was built in 2017. The second phase includes the 10,960-square-foot assembly hall set for completion this month.
Head of School Robert E. Gregg III said the school has a long history of performance art and that having sufficient space for that large-stage capacity was necessary.
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“This gives us additional classrooms, studio space for both fine arts and music instruction, and it gives us appropriate concert hall acoustics in the performance space,” Gregg said. “It is also a space for us to gather the full community, which we’ve not been able to do since we were back on the Bon Air campus.”
Perkinson was born in Petersburg and raised in Powhatan County alongside his twin brother. His mother and father moved the family to a rural area, where the twins milked the family’s cows every morning and night. It was pretty bleak, he said.
“I mean, I was poor and hated it,” Perkinson said. “And I had huge ambitions.”
At age 12, the family moved to Richmond, where Perkinson had the opportunity to go to the dentist for the first time. Using the money he had earned running a paper route, he was able to go to the dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University, then known as the Medical College of Virginia.
Once a week, he caught the bus and went downtown, where the teachers and students worked on his teeth.
“I just was infatuated,” Perkinson said. “I decided then I was going to be a dentist.”
After finishing dental school at age 25, Perkinson opened W. Baxter Perkinson Jr. D.D.S. While going on to expand the practice into Virginia Family Dentistry — with 15 locations and over 500 employees — Perkinson was introduced to the arts by his wife, who asked him to take a watercolor painting class with her.
“Since then, I’ve painted thousands of paintings,” he said.
Instead of selling his works, he either donates or contributes the paintings to auctions to raise money for different causes, he said.
Richmond Police are conducting a death investigation after city staff discovered a body on the grounds of a waste management collection station.
St. Michael’s Senior Development Officer Mary King Coleman said Perkinson had taught art classes, contributed to auctions and given his paintings to retiring teachers over the years.
Virginia Commonwealth University, he said, gets many of his paintings and donations. The Perkinson Building was opened in 2009 as an addition to the VCU School of Dentistry. In the new VCU Adult Outpatient Pavilion, a little over half of the 1,000 art pieces decorating the halls were donated by Perkinson.
The Baxter Perkinson Center for Art and Education, which opened in Chester in 2019, was also founded and dedicated to transforming and enriching the community through art. He also donated $1 million to Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, which houses the Perkinson Arts Center.
“My wife and I ... we said if we ever had more money than we needed, then it would always be gifted to something about education because we both benefited so much by becoming educated,” Perkinson said. “My life was fulfilled completely because of education.”
Two of Perkinson’s grandchildren attend St. Michael’s, and two others graduated from there, he said. He said the gift, given on behalf of him and his wife of 57 years, gives them as much satisfaction as the community and goals they’re giving it to.
“His gift will help us realize that [assembly hall] goal,” Coleman said. “It’s an amazing gift for St. Michael’s School.”
Today, Perkinson does art demonstrations out of his house. With more time on his hands during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he began working with acrylic paint. When people leave from his demos, they leave with the confidence that they can do it, too, he said.
“I’m just glad that I had a chance to find it [art] rather than live my whole life without it,” he said.

ANIMAL BLESSING
At the annual holiday blessing of the animals in Shockoe Slip, "Daisy" the chimpanzee came face-to-face with 8-week-old "Marley," a chocolate labrador. Daisy was a bit unsure of herself, so she hid behind the legs of her owner, Bea Shepperson, of Old Coach, Virginia. Daisy, 2 years old, came from the St. Louis Primate Center.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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"Sadie" (left) and "Rudy" (about to accept a doggie treat) were among the animals present at the annual holiday animal blessing in Shockoe Slip, next to the horse fountain. Saying the blessing (at microphone) is Dr. Karen Lacy, of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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Anne Palangi, of Richmond, brought a picture of her husky Jake to Friday's annual Blessing of the Animals at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip. Here, Palangi visits with horses from the Richmond Police Department before the blessing.
- EVA RUSSO

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Wiggy (left), a three-year-old Norwich Terrier, visits with Icelandic Sheepdogs Thorri (right), 9, and Angel (in back), 2, at Friday's annual Blessing of the Animals at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip. "I don't miss an opportunity to have him blessed," said Dewey Chester, Wiggy's owner.
- EVA RUSSO

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Richmond Mounted Squad members (left to right) Rob Lehr on Nuke, Jeff Napier on Roadrunner and Rich Fecht on Rio were among those attending The Friends of the Richmond Mounted squad annual Blessing of the Animals at the Shockoe Slip Fountain today.
- LINDY KEAST RODMAN

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This April 1950 image shows the horse fountain on Shockoe Lane, the small stretch at 13th and East Cary streets that is now referred to as Shockoe Slip. The marble fountain, donated by an anonymous Baltimore woman in 1909 in memory of a Confederate cavalry captain buried in Hollywood Cemetery, still sits in front of The Martin Agency. The inscription: “In Memory of One Who Loved Animals.”
- Staff

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A room in the Residence Inn in Shockoe Slip on East Cary Street has a view of Main Street Station. The hotel and the adjacent Courtyard Marriott opened for business Monday afternoon, December 8, 2014. The First Freedom Center, on the first floor of the Residence Inn, will open in mid-January.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

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The First Freedom Center is across East Cary Street from Sine' Irish Pub. The center, on the first floor of the Residence Inn, will open in mid-January. The Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn in Shockoe Slip on East Cary Street opened for business Monday afternoon, December 8, 2014.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

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The Courtyard Marriott (left) and Residence Inn (right) in Shockoe Slip on East Cary Street opened for business Monday afternoon, December 8, 2014. The First Freedom Center, on the first floor of the Residence Inn, will open in mid-January.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

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Linda Gettings, L, of Richmond holds her 2-year-old granddaughter Elysia Taylor as she gets a loving nuzzle from Scooter, a member of the Richmond Mounted Unit during the Blessing of the Animals. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mounted Squad of the Richmond Police Department, the annual event is held at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip.
- JOE MAHONEY

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Donna Wiggins,L, looks on as fellow worker Jill Rife, takes a bite of food during a welcome to the neighborhood party thrown by merchants and tenants of Shockoe Slip for The Martin Agency (background). Both are employees of Alex Brown & Sons.
- JOE MAHONEY

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Bill Daniels, who will receive one of ACORN's top honors for his work as the unofficial mayor of Shockoe Slip and his efforts to preserve and maintain the Slip's historic ambience, and in particular, the area's cobblestone streets, kneels on the cobblestones of E. Cary St. in Richmond, VA, Monday, Oct. 4, 2004
- BOB BROWN

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Bill Daniels, who will receive one of ACORN's top honors for his work as the unofficial mayor of Shockoe Slip and his efforts to preserve and maintain the Slip's historic ambience, and in particular, the area's cobblestone streets, stands near the intersection of 13th & E. Cary St. in Richmond, VA, Monday, Oct. 4, 2004
- BOB BROWN

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Bill Daniels, right, who will receive one of ACORN's top honors for his work as the unofficial mayor of Shockoe Slip and his efforts to preserve and maintain the Slip's historic ambience, and in particular, the area's cobblestone streets, talks with Richbrau owner Michael Byrne, left, near the intersection of 13th & E. Cary St. in Richmond, VA, Monday, Oct. 4, 2004
- BOB BROWN

HALL29a
Terry Van Peppen, as tin woman, fixes the mustache on her son Donte Fontenelli, 9, as the munchkin mayor, whiles (from left in back) her husband Anton Van Peppen, as Dorothy, and her stepsons Martinus, as the scarecrow, and Dustin Van Peppen, as the coroner, stand in the background at Saturday's Halloween festival in Shockoe Slip. According to Van Peppen, the Wizard of Oz themed costumes that he, his wife and their six children and stepchildren wore originated with Bela, the family dog, who bears a striking resemblance to Toto. Van Peppen then had to step up and dress as Dorothy when his daughter and stepdaughter couldn't decide who would play the part. Van Peppen's costume was complete with ruby red shoes, which his wife made for him.
- EVA RUSSO

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Inspired by a trip to Paris they took last Fall, Ken Van Riper, as Leonardo da Vinci, and Dave Burchfield, as the Mona Lisa, dressed up for Saturday's Halloween festival in Shockoe Slip. Here, Sandi Snedeker, of Leisure Times funnel cake and lemonade stand, admires the costumes.
- EVA RUSSO

HARVEST
Norwood Thompson Clary draws a curious glance from two-year-old Sage Elder at the corner of 12th Street and Cary Street Sunday afternoon. Clary bought the outfit for the annual Great Pumpkin Harvest festival in Shockoe Slip, but the event had been cancelled when Clary arrived. Although disappointed, Clary strolled Cary Street for a while.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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(L-R) Carol Webb, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., dances with her daughter Heidi Pankoff, of Richmond, as The Crawdaddies play in the background at the Shockoe Slip fountain during the Harley Owners Group street party Saturday, August 28, 2004.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

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Carol Webb (right foreground), of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., dances with her daughter Heidi Pankoff (middle in foreground), of Richmond, as The Crawdaddies play in the background at the Shockoe Slip fountain during the Harley Owners Group street party Saturday, August 28, 2004.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

HORSE
Richmond Police Mounted Patrol officer Jeffrey Napier offers 'Bo' some water at the horse fountain in Shockoe Slip, in the hot afternoon of September 16, 1998. The two were just about to start their shift. Napier has been on the mounted patrol for two years. Bo has been on the force for 14 years.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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Samantha Gerstbrein leads a yoga class on SURFSET indoor surfboards at Shockoe Slip Yoga downtown. If you feel like you need to include an ID on the woman whose back is to the camera, it is Dr. Mythri Jegathesan.
- Maria Howard

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On June 10, 1907, this monument and cross commemorating the 300th anniversary of Captain John Smith's May, 1607 journey up the James to Richmond was dedicated. Smith and his crew had to stop because of the rapids near this spot. A gift from the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquties, it now sits in Shockoe Slip, at 14th and Dock Streets.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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Varina High School student Chantelle Britton models the 'Shockoe Slip' for the participants at a job fair sponsored by Henrico County Schools thursday, April 2, 1998 at Dory Park in Eastern Henrico. The job fair was for 77 college grads the County is trying to persuade to work for the system.
- BOB BROWN

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Whitney Dennis, 5, gawks at 'Trailer Park Barbie,' just before the start of the costume contest at the 24th annual Great Pumpkin Party in Shockoe Slip. Whitney was dressed as Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz.' The Barbie outfit--worn by Chris Wade--won Wade the peoples' choice award and $1000.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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Amy Powrozmik delights in Rick Campbell's makeup application for his costume as 'Piggy Back Drag Queen' during the 24th annual Great Pumpkin Party in Shockoe Slip. Powrozmik dressed up as a can of Slim Jim snacks. At left is Chris Wade as 'Tralier Park Barbie.
- P. KEVIN MORLEY

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Robert Sarvis, Libertarian candidante for governor, thanked supporters who turned out at the The Tobacco Company Restaurant & Club, Tuesday, 11/5/2013. Most didn't think he would win, but were hoping for 10 percent of the vote.
- JAMES H. WALLACE

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Richmond Police Officer Amanda Acuff watches as her horse Beau gets Penley's attention after the Richmond's Blessing of the Animals at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip Friday, December 14, 2012. The basset hound is owned by Dawn Lehmann on right.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND

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Bean (left) checks out Thor, who is new to the Richmond Mounted Police. They met after the Richmond Blessing of the Animals at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip Friday, December 14, 2012. Bean is a Canine Companion dog in training.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND