Richmond, CA — [August 23, 2025] — The Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR) is proud to announce the third annual Richmond Open Studios (ROS), a free, city-wide celebration of local artists taking place September 6–7, 2025, from 11 AM to 4 PM.

This year marks a milestone: artist participation has doubled, with more than 90 Richmond-based artists opening their doors to the community.

“We are thrilled with the increase in participation this year,” said Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, director of the Visual Artists of Richmond. “These numbers show how community organizing is turning Richmond into an arts destination, and highlight the huge need artists have for inclusive, affordable opportunities to show their work.”

Emerging artist and VAR leader Sadiqeh Agah added, “I’m thrilled that Richmond finally has its own Open Studios—and that it is run by artists.”

Artists will welcome visitors into their individual studios or showcase their work at one of four partner venues:

Richmond Art Center
NIAD Art Center
Richmond Museum of History and Culture
Point Richmond Gallery

The event is entirely artist-organized and volunteer-driven, with community members contributing graphic design, curatorial work, and organizational support. “We have such talented volunteers— incredible graphic design on our ROS maps and materials, a curator for our Made in Richmond show, and our director who holds seemingly millions of tiny details to keep it all together,” said Laura Kamian McDermott, VAR’s volunteer bookkeeper.

How To Pick Artists To See

Made in Richmond Exhibition: On view at the Richmond Art Center until 9/6, offering a preview of participating artists’ work.
ROS Guide: Available online, with artist websites and a downloadable PDF. Printed guides are also available at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture, NIAD Art Center, and Richmond Art Center (check hours before visiting).

VAR extends gratitude to its partner venues and sponsors, including Kaiser Permanente, Clay People, and Seaport Studios, whose support helps advance the group’s vision of an independent, artist-led Open Studios and contributes to the overall health and vibrancy of the Richmond community.

For more information about the Richmond Open Studios, visit: https://www.visualartistsofrichmond.org/ros-guide

About Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR):
VAR is an independent, artist-led organization dedicated to supporting Richmond’s visual artists through collaborative events, exhibitions, and community engagement. The all-volunteer group has over 120 artists living or working in Richmond, and a mission to develop “a well-known, diverse, inclusive community of artists supporting each other by organizing opportunities to celebrate and promote our work, share resources, and support each other's art practices.” VAR supports artists through three programs:

Artist Gatherings

Every two months, VAR organizes gatherings for Richmond visual artists and creatives. Their artist gatherings are not just a networking event, they are also a safe space where local visual artists can take their projects, dreams and questions. The artists have met at Richmond non-profits, private homes, bars, studios and galleries, with their largest gathering to date bringing together over 30 artists. Information about upcoming gatherings is shared on VAR’s website, its newsletter and on its social media accounts.

Online Promotion

VAR’s online directory promotes the work of visual artists living or working in Richmond to curators, gallerists, collectors, businesses and the public. Artists can fill out an online form to create a self-curated directory profile. Since VAR does not collect membership dues, a profile is what determines membership. The directory is free to artists, and runs independently of city agencies and organizations. Member shows and partner events are also promoted through free listings on VAR’s website and social media accounts.

Richmond Open Studios

Open Studios is a free community event where visual artists living or working in specific area or building can sell affordable art directly to the public. In 2024, 48 artists chose to participate. Through its own community connections, sponsorships and collaborations, VAR’s open studios have brought art lovers eager to support local artists to Richmond.About Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR):
VAR is an independent, artist-led organization dedicated to supporting Richmond’s visual artists through collaborative events, exhibitions, and community engagement.

About VAR

The Visual Artists of Richmond is an all-volunteer group of over 120 artists living or working in Richmond, with a mission to develop “a well-known, diverse, inclusive community of artists supporting each other by organizing opportunities to celebrate and promote our work, share resources, and support each other's art practices.” VAR supports artists through three programs:

Artist Gatherings

Online Promotion

Richmond Open Studios