We will be going through all we know about art in Richmond in great depth for you today. As the piece progresses galleries, museums, supply stores, schools, shows, events, and more will be broken down.
Even if we are trying to cover it all the best Richmond Art Galleries and Museums seem like the wisest starting point. Then we will start to span out and get into the best local art stores for anyone that is trying to buy some new materials or supplies.
We also can’t forget about the best shows, festivals, and events in the region. Going on an art walk or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll in the right parts of town can be a lot of fun when the weather permits. Checking out the top statues and sculptures in the city can also work well with that.
Expect to learn about art schools near you that offer both group and private lessons too. Studio space where you can work on your latest project, as well as dealers, appraisers, and framing services in your area will be covered.
You will find a local art map before you go that will show you where all of these spots are located. You can find more of our posts on cities around the Northeast at this link.
Best Art Galleries & Museums In Richmond
When you want to visit the best art galleries and museums in Richmond you should head to:
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a leading national art museum with over 5,000 years of works from throughout the world. The VMFA is open every day of the year and entry is always free. There’s plenty to see and do at the VMFA including unique exhibitions, collections spanning the globe, a great sculpture garden, two restaurants, talks, activities, and much more.
Since 1963, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) has been a part of the local community. VisArts provides over 1,000 visual and creative arts classes each year, including clay, wood, fiber, painting, photography, printing, glass, metal, drawing, writing, decorative arts, and other visual media while employing about 125 educators.
The 1708 Gallery is home to some of the best new work around and is dedicated to fostering creative innovation in both emerging and established artists in addition to increasing public awareness. Art Works is a full-service art center that offers a variety of services. Local and international creator’s modern art is on display and for sale. There are 80 artist studios and 5 galleries, resulting in a wide range of work.
Ada Gallery, founded in 2003, is a contemporary fine art gallery that hosts monthly shows showcasing emerging and mid-career artists. Reynolds Gallery became one of the most well-known galleries in the Mid-Atlantic region, presenting many well-known artists like Ellsworth Kelly and John Baldessari. Reynolds Gallery also represents local and regional artists from your area’s diverse array of talent.
Artspace is a nonprofit gallery for the visual and performing arts that promotes understanding and awareness of contemporary works. Page Bond Gallery first opened its doors in 1999 and they show paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, glass, ceramics, and limited edition prints among other media.
Gallery5 is a community-driven, award-winning visual and performing arts facility that has established itself as a renowned arts venue for local and regional audiences. They collaborate with a wide range of cultural, educational, environmental, and social organizations.
Thea and Geraldine Duskin are co-owners and curators of Ghostprint Gallery. The art they used to only show at the gallery space is now available to you on the website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At its monthly openings Artemis Gallery has featured over 170 national and international artists. These openings, along with the rest of the Main St gallery community, take part in the First Fridays Art Walk. It is also home to a growing collection of fine art and crafts acquired through participation in national exhibits and trading.
ART 180 supports your area by providing a judgement-free venue that enables creative self-expression while also developing and promoting local young creators through exhibitions, performances, public art, publications, and other means.
Materials & Supplies Near You
These art stores are good places to buy new supplies or materials:
By redistributing waste products to the community for artistic and educational projects, Scrap Creative Reuse promotes sustainability, creativity, and community engagement. Plaza Artists & Picture Framing has been a good place to buy fine art materials, bespoke framing services, creative presents, and gain knowledge through demos, classes, and workshops since 1960.
You probably already know what Joann has to offer, and Dollar Tree is a good spot to buy cheap art materials near you.
Shows & Events
There are some really cool art shows, events, and festivals in your area like:
The RVA Street Art Festival celebrates local and national artistic talent while also revitalizing neglected areas and raising funds for arts education. The wall will be transformed into a canvas of mixed-media by renowned local, national, and worldwide creators including painted murals, projection lighting, landscape art, and more.
The RVA Street Art Festival has supported local children’s art education since its start in 2012 by raising funds and exposure for community and public school art organizations and programs. The festival has grown into an anticipated event and an important resource for the creative community, discovering and promoting local talent, regenerating neighborhoods in need of beautification, and cooperating with loyal sponsors.
Arts in the Park is a nationally recognized juried art show that allows you to view and purchase fine original work created by top-quality artists and craftspeople from Virginia and throughout the country. The Richmond Folk Festival is one of the state’s most popular festivals attracting tourists from all over the country to the historic downtown riverside to celebrate the roots, depth, and diversity of American culture via song, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling, and food.
Every month the First Friday Art Walk is held in the Richmond Arts District on Broad Street and in the surrounding area. You can expect for many of the best galleries and museums near you to be involved and a lot of fun to be had.
Art Dealers & Appraisers
Art dealers and appraisers near you are where you can buy new unique pieces or learn the value of something you already own:
Freeman’s Southeast provides a carefully designed approach to the sale of each unique collection by providing a range of formal valuation reports for consignment, insurance, taxation, collection management, and estate planning purposes. Crossroads Art Center is a cultural resource and an active participant in the dynamic local arts community, representing over 225 creators.
Chasen Galleries represents international contemporary artists, glass makers, and sculptors. Since 1983 they’ve been dedicated to matching clients with the ideal item of art for their home or space.
Walking Tours
When the weather is nice walk around outside and see unique local art on one of these tours:
The Northside Artists’ Open Studio is an annual pre-holiday art walk and sale hosted within seven private Sherwood Park and Laburnum Park homes as well as the commons area of Ginter Place. Better yet, this art walk is free to attend.
The Canal Walk has been a staple of the city for decades entertaining visitors and residents alike. Located along downtown’s riverfront, the Canal Walk stretches 1.25 miles along the James River and Kanawha and Haxall Canals, and has access points at nearly every block between 5th and 17th Streets.
Don’t forget about the First Friday Art Walk on and near Broad Street in the local arts district either.
Sculptures & Statues
Another fun option for a pleasant afternoon would be to check out some of these statues and sculptures:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden at 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd
Virginia Washington Monument at 1000 Bank St
Reconciliation Statue at 5th and E Main st
Reaching Towards Warmer Suns at 1200 Brander St
Mini Statue of Liberty at 3215 E Broad St
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden is a state-funded, privately endowed educational institution established for the benefit of local residents. The Virginia Washington Monument, often known as the Washington Monument, is a neoclassical statue of George Washington in the public plaza dating from the 19th century.
Stephen Broadbent created the Reconciliation Statue which is a half-ton bronze sculpture. Reaching Towards Warmer Suns is a public art installation that was first installed along the banks of the Powhatan River where some of the first enslaved Black people touched soil in the new world.
A modest replica of the Statue of Liberty stands proudly on the grounds of the Chimbarazo Hospital Museum on the Richmond National Battlefield.
Richmond Art Classes
Whether you are trying to find private lessons or group classes for kids, teens, or adults some of the best Richmond art schools can be found at:
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, founded in 1928, is one of the greatest arts and design schools in the country. Through community participation, innovative programming, and experiential education, Oakwood Arts makes art and professions in the creative industries accessible to all.
Classes and seminars focusing on the digital and technical skills students need to succeed in the creative workforce are part of the programs. Hand / Thrown Ceramics Studio is more than simply a ceramics studio because it’s a place where artists, friends, families, and the general public may come together to explore and create.
Art classes are also available at other places we have mentioned like Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing, Studio Two Three, and the Visual Arts Center.
Studios For Rent Near You
You might be able to find empty studio space that is ready to be rented at:
Studio Two Three has seminars, memberships, studio rentals, an event space, and a mobile print and photo creating studio. Artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives may design, direct, and develop their ambitions in a spacious, cheap, and collaborative atmosphere at Plant Zero.
The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Art Works, Ghosprint Gallery, and Hand / Thrown Ceramics Studio also have studio space available.
Framing
When you need to find Richmond art framing head to:
Rick’s Bespoke Frame + Gallery specializes in custom frame design and construction. You’ll be able to buy a broad range of frames, matting, glass, and other alternatives for your unique project in the shop, which is full of ideas, inspiration, and framing samples.
Fan Frame and Fine Art is a bespoke framing company that combines cutting-edge technology with old-world craftsmanship. Richmond Frame & Design uses conservation materials and has a variety of framing design options.
Fralin Art & Frame enjoys being entrusted with preserving a piece of your narrative in the way that it deserves. They can construct display frames, shadowboxes, wall cases, tabletop vitrines, and pedestals.
Corporate & Museum Frame specializes in museum services and can frame paintings, prints, drawings, diplomas, collectibles, fabrics, and photos. Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing also does framing.
Well guys, we did our best the full art scene near you. We listed the best local galleries, museums, events, shows, supply stores, dealers, appraisers, walking tours, sculptures, classes, studios, and framers in your area.
If you made it all the way to the end then you are probably as much of an art lover as we are. You can let us know about any of your own tips and tricks in the comments at the end of the post, or please also let us know if we got anything wrong or if anything we posted has become dated.
Have fun going to the galleries, museums, buying supplies or doing anything that has to do with art in Richmond!
