This afternoon, I had the unique privilege of dining with several fellow bloggistes and members of the reformed Richmond Arts Council, now CultureWorks, which operates under the capable and visionary guidance of John Bryan, himself a writer and artist.

Bryan has orchestrated periodic assemblies with people who write about the town in various capacities and in diverse communities to discuss the best ways to make arts and culture connect with the city, from City Hall to the people in the street.

The major reason for the meeting was the introduction of Brooks Smith — writer, historian and WCVE personality — as chairman of CultureWorks' board of directors. That body is still a-borning, and the announcement of its members will be made on or near Oct. 6. You'll be able to read more about Smith in our editor-in-chief's Q & A with him in the October issue of Richmond magazine.

The mission of CultureWorks will not be to produce or present, but instead to facilitate and support a vital component of the city's life; that is, the makers and creators. If you doubt the value, do as Richmond's Mayor Jones did this past First Friday and see the 6,000 or so people who'll turn out in good weather to promenade along Broad and its tributary streets to visit the galleries and restaurants (many of which exist because of First Friday). Or see the people lining up at The National (without much in the way of adjacent parking, by the way), or attend the InLight event later this month.

We met at Qdoba, a favorite for two reasons. First, the food is quite good and, as Bryan pointed out, they are charitable givers to the community.

Second, the name always gets me to humming Shaggy's "Mr. Loba Loba" song, the video for  which — this being a family blog — I cannot show, but this version with Rowan Atkinson demonstrating Harry Kollatz Jr. dance moves is appropriate.

Third, I got to briefly browse in Smith's and Wayne Dementi's new book, Songlines of Richmond, which looks at the region's performance-art traditions.

This was an opportunity for bloggistes to see what we all look like without our faces buried in a computer, and instead, stuffing them with Mexican food. Among the foregathered were: John Sarvay (Buttermilk & Molasses); Kevin Clay (GayRVA); Don Harrison (formerly of Save Richmond, now Style Weekly's Arts & Culture editor); and Jonah Holland (bloggista par excellence, known for Near West End News).

With a staff of two (including Bryan), CultureWorks has already engaged more than 100 volunteers in forming teams to examine various aspects of city life and how the arts play a role, with subjects ranging from creativity in the workplace to the admissions tax. Bryan, an expert angler, is reeling all this in.

The conversation was important — centering on board composition and mission — and lively, as one might expect when some of the lively arts are involved.

And for the record, I took the GRTC to Willow Lawn, and hitched a ride with Don back to the office.