For The Press
Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, Director
rebeca@visualartistsofrichmond.org
510-932-1526
Contact Info
Mailing Address
PO Box 5393, Richmond, CA 94805
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For Immediate Release
June 20, 2026
Images of the art on display at Made in Richmond are available upon request
Artists Willing To Be Interviewed
Contact:
Visual Artists of Richmond
Email: rebeca@visualartistsofrichmond.org
Website: https://www.visualartistsofrichmond.org/press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richmond Open Studios Returns for Its Fourth Year
Richmond, CA — [June 20, 2026] — The Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR) is proud to announce the fourth annual Richmond Open Studios (ROS), a free, city-wide celebration of local artists taking place on August 8–9, 2026, and August 15-16, from 11 AM to 4 PM.
59 Richmond-based artists will be opening their doors to the community over two weekends. Individual artists will be showing August 8-9, and groups or collectives will show on August 15-16. Most artists will showcase their work at one of three partner venues:
Richmond Art Center
NIAD Art Center
Richmond Museum of History and Culture
“Our event drew more than 1,000 visitors from Richmond and nearby cities last year,” said Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, director of the Visual Artists of Richmond. “We’ve always wanted to turn Richmond into an arts destination and after four years we are starting to see returning visitors who want to support the local visual arts.”
Richmond Open Studios is unique among similar events in the Bay Area: it is entirely artist-organized and driven, with community members contributing graphic design, curatorial work, and organizational support. “It is a lot of work, but we are passionate about giving people a chance to share their work with the community. This year we are excited to see many returning artists in addition to a number of new people as part of our growing VAR organization of over 140 artists.” said Brian Conery VAR’s co-director.
How To Pick Artists To See
Made in Richmond Exhibition: On view at the Richmond Art Center’s Main Gallery from 6/27 until 8/15, this exhibition offers a preview of the work of 50 participating artists.
ROS Guide Card: Available online, with artist websites and a map showing their location.
A large map will be on display at the Richmond Art Center’s Main Gallery. Guide cards also be available at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture, NIAD Art Center, and Richmond Art Center. Please check their hours before visiting.
VAR extends gratitude to its partner venues and sponsors, including Kaiser Permanente, Clay Seaport Studios, and Metxli 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 135 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
Richmond 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 2025, 90 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 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
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.