About
Visual Artists of Richmond brings together over 132 visual artists living in or making their art in Richmond, California. It leadership team is composed of three artists. Our fiscal sponsor is Independent Arts and Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In our group there is cultural and ethnic diversity, various age groups, high and low socioeconomic levels and emergent as well as established working artists.
Visual Artists of Richmond was selected as a 2025 District Arts Partner along with seven other Contra Costa arts organizations. We are proud to be recognized as an important community partner and leader in the Contra Costa arts ecosystem!
Mission
To create a dynamic environment where artists are supported, promoted, and celebrated.
Vision
To cultivate a well known, thriving community of artists.
Artist Gatherings
Every two months, we organize gatherings for Richmond visual artists and creatives and hold a space where local visual artists can go with their projects, dreams and questions. Usually held at artist homes, art organizations or friendly businesses, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on a weekday. Sign up for our newsletter so you can learn when the next one will be!
Online Directory
Our online directory promotes the work of visual artists living or working in Richmond to curators, gallerists, collectors, businesses and the public. The directory is free to artists. The only requirement is that you keep a complete and updated profile.
Richmond Open Studios
We organize an annual, free to the public, inclusive Open Studio event where 90+ visual artists show and sell their work directly to the public. The registration fee is $80. Our Richmond Open Studios weekend event brings over 1,000 West Contra Costa art lovers.
Local Artist Promotion
Our exhibitions, social media accounts, monthly newsletter, directory and events page announces our members’ shows and classes free of charge.
Exhibitions
Made in Richmond is our largest member show, taking place during the summer at the Main Gallery of the Richmond Art Center. We also organize smaller exhibitions during the year at community partner and other local venues.
What We Do
History
Richmond artists were invited to reflect on the state of the arts in our city at a January 2023 meeting led by consultants. We attended that meeting, and noticed that artists who had lived here for a long time and newcomers alike mentioned they did not have enough support. There were several conversations after the meeting, and out of those conversations came the inspiration to become our own advocates and work on ways to continue communicating to create spaces for artists to support each other.
Who We Are
We are are all Richmond visual artists:
Sadiqeh Agah, Communications Leader
Brian Conery, Deputy Director
Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, Director
Erin McLuskey Wheeler, Curator