By Kathy Chouteau
The “Opening Reception” for the Richmond Art Center’s (RAC) “Made in Richmond” exhibition is set for Saturday, July 12, from 1–3 p.m. in the Main Gallery. The event is free-admission.
The exhibition provides a sample of work from artists who will participate in Richmond Open Studios, the city-wide art event organized by the Visual Artists of Richmond (VAR), according to the local art organization. Made in Richmond will share its Opening Reception with two other exhibitions at the RAC, “Mobilize, Organize, Occupy,” and “Reassembled Memories.”
The trio of exhibitions are set to continue showing at the RAC now through Sept. 6.
“All four partner venues are filled to capacity with Richmond artists eager to show their work.”
Erin McCluskey Wheeler, a VAR artist and curator of the RAC exhibition, said that her curation was a little bit different in that the artists selected the works for the show. She held conversations with the artists in advance and got a good sense of their work. “My job was really to put it all together in a way that makes visual sense,” said McCluskey Wheeler, adding that she aimed to make sure there was a good flow walking through it that created really nice conversations between art pieces.
Organized by Visual Artists of Richmond, the RAC’s Made in Richmond exhibition is offering a preview of the work of more than 80 local artists taking part in the third annual Richmond Open Studios weekend Sept. 6-7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The art center called the advance glimpse “both a guide to planning your studio visits and a snapshot of Richmond’s creative scene, reflecting the breadth of energy and artistic talent that define the city’s arts community.”
McCluskey Wheeler said that the Opening Reception will offer the chance to meet the artists whose work is on view. “To meet and talk with a bunch of living artists in Richmond is pretty exciting,” she said, adding that the show touts a wonderful diversity of artwork ranging from the work of a 7th grader to other artists who have been showing their art for decades. “It’s an incredible range,” the curator said of the show, “Sort of like the lifespan of an artist.”
Now in its third incarnation, Richmond Open Studios—which has 90 VAR artists participating—looks to create a diverse, welcoming and accessible space for artists to share and sell their work, according to VAR. An interactive map and printed guide will be available to help visitors plan their routes to individual studios and partner venues.
Alongside the RAC and solo artist studios, the Point Richmond Gallery, NIAD Art Center and Richmond Museum of History & Culture will take part in the Richmond Open Studios event. Local businesses ClayPeople and Seaport Studios also signed-on as early sponsors. VAR Director Rebeca García-González emphasized the importance of collaboration in bringing the event to life and expressed gratitude to VAR’s partners.
“All four partner venues are filled to capacity with Richmond artists eager to show their work,” said VAR’s Brian Conery. He suggested that those who don’t have time to visit a lot of individual studios can drop by a couple of partner venues or some of Richmond’s collective studios to see a lot of art at one location.”
The Richmond Art Center is located at 2540 Barrett Ave. in Richmond. Questions? Contact the art center at (510) 620-6772. Lean more about the Visual Artists of Richmond.
Artists exhibiting in Made in Richmond will include: Adrian Delgado, Alan Krakauer, Ali Vaughan, Alyssa Chanelle, Anne Garvey, Audy Oregon, Betsy Kellas, Bill Zindel, Brandon Harris, Brian Conery, Brian Rothstein, Carlota Rodriguez, Carmen Meléndez-Lugo, Cassara Wong, Celeste Flores, Chai Rawithiwakul, Chamia LaRae, Dana Newman, Dante Owantew, Darrin Westmore, Dave Popino, David Dugoncevic, Deb Gorman, Donzell Lewis, e bond, Ellen Christensen, Elly Momi Fadden, Erica Norelius, Erin Garcia Miller, Erin McCluskey Wheeler, Gail Morrison, George Bernard III, Heather Palmer, Isaiah Phillips, Janet Conery, Jeanne Rehrig, Jeannette DesBoine, Jeremiah Gaines, John Boychuk, Joni Bissell, Julio Rodríguez, Kali Cohen, Larry Craighill, Laura Kamian McDermott, Laurel Shear, Lauren Ari, Lisa Rappoport, Lola, Louise Schine, Luna Ruth Paesch, Maria Tuttle, Marvin Perry Mann, Mat Van Dongen, Michal Gadish, Nene, Nichole Talbott, Patricia Pintner, Paula Kristovich, Penny Olson, Phoebe Deutsch, Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, Regan Logwood, Regina Gilligan, Ric Ambrose, RM Salazar, Rob Nehring, Roy Fabry, Ruby Ramirez, Sadiqeh Agah, Sara Pisheh, Sarah Waite Chase, Susan Brady, Tahirah Robinson, Tamara Stellanova, Tarnell Abbott, Tatyana Ryevzina, Tony Tamayo, URBANART (H. Andres), Virginia Jourdan and Wesley Bolton.
