One of the most enticing things about Richmond is the overflowing amount of art throughout the city. From art festivals, to murals on buildings around town, to the many art galleries, there is an abundance of artistic expression to be found. Whether you’re an art fanatic or just looking for something fun and new to do, these 5 local art galleries should be on your list. 

Bond Millen Gallery

Established in 1999 and located in the Fan District, Bond Millen Gallery showcases and celebrates a unique range of contemporary art through many mediums such as paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, and more. The driving force behind this gallery is to bring awareness and appreciation for contemporary art and the diverse community such artists come from. It is one of the largest contemporary galleries in Richmond with more than 3600 square feet of showing space. The gallery exhibits primary champion artists with regional, national, and international status and reputations.

The 1708 Gallery

The 1708 Gallery was established in the 70s by a group of Virginia Commonwealth University artists, making it one of the oldest galleries in Richmond. These founders wanted to bring a new type of exposure to the Richmond art community while creating a home for themselves and their art. The gallery’s main goal and devotion is to showcase new and emerging contemporary art and artists to the local public— all while being a non-profit. The 1708 Gallery has the perfect exhibitions for anyone looking for art that questions, challenges, and redefines traditional boundaries.

Ada Gallery

As an artist-run gallery, Ada Gallery works with emerging and mid-career artists from across the United States to promote their art to a more diverse audience. They focus on building artists’ careers versus showcasing new and emerging art and artists in the contemporary realm, making them slightly different than the approach of most other galleries in the city. Many of their exhibitions feature bright bold takes on abstract art.

The Visual Arts Centre of Richmond
This centre doubles as a gallery and the largest non-university community arts program in the state of Virginia. With 6 exhibitions a year from both established and new artists, they focus heavily on the progressive and creative use of materials and building each artists unique style. It’s contemporary art but with a new twist. The visual arts center is unique largely due to their large role and connections with the community. They offer several programs such as classes and camps, after school art partnerships, artists residencies, collectors nights, and more. They even present awards to outstanding creative members of their staff and community. This center is an all around place for art- and building new artists from the ground up- no matter what their age.

Artspace Gallery

This non-profit art gallery, located in the historic Manchester District, focuses on showcasing innovative and cutting edge visual and performance contemporary art. This collective space and approach to art brings a wide range of Richmond locals to their doors with the excitement of seeing something new. Artspace is one of few galleries that showcases every area of art from printmaking to slam poetry. It is an exciting place for the community to enjoy classes, workshops, lectures, and events.