About
Visual Artists of Richmond is a volunteer run artist advocacy group in Richmond led by co-Directors Sadiqeh Agah and Erin McCluskey Wheeler. Our signature event is the annual Richmond Open Studios, held each August in partnership with the Richmond Art Center, NIAD, and the Richmond Museum of History and Culture. We created the first artist directory of Richmond artists - now including over 170 artists—and continue seeking ways to build community and increase access to exhibition, professional development, and commission opportunities for Richmond artists. Our fiscal sponsor is Independent Arts and Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Visual Artists of Richmond was selected as a 2026 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 with Richmond connections are supported, promoted, and celebrated.
Vision
To cultivate a well known, thriving community of artists in and for Richmond.
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 visual artists show and sell their work directly to the public.
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.
