Richmond Grid

Celebrating Richmond's makers, storytellers, and community builders. Our goal is to share stories about people inspired by a purpose beyond themselves.

Grid is a solutions-oriented news platform that celebrates makers, storytellers, and community builders. We are interested in hard work, humility, authenticity, and stewardship. And most of all, people who roll up their sleeves and push Richmond forward. As a certified B Corporation, we produce digital content and a quarterly print publication that features Richmond at its best — from startup owne

rs to creators to civic leaders. We deliver our magazine by bike whenever possible, print on FSC-certified paper, use soy-based ink, and donate a portion of our advertising space to local nonprofits. We hope you enjoy reading about the talented people, small businesses, and community organizations that we feature in Grid as much as we’ve enjoyed getting to know their stories. Each follows a philosophy and set of practices that are building a more just and caring Richmond. And for that we’re grateful.

*Richmond Grid also offers* Online news at www.richmondgrid.com; Email newsletter via its sister publication, Here Weekly, offering weekly tips and ways to explore RVA. Sign up for free at www.hereweekly.co; Locally Made Goods: Grid Supply Co., www.gridsupplyco.com, featuring products made in Richmond by Richmonders, such as cocktail glasses laser etched with murals by local artists, growlers and water bottles featuring the City of Richmond flag, visual works by Richmond illustrators, "Dear Richmond" journals; and Grid Collective: A content house and brand consultancy for socially conscious local businesses with a meaningful story to tell.

11/14/2025

Every week, our partner publication Here Weekly (.weekly) shares tips for exploring and celebrating Richmond — curated by some of the River City’s favorite voices. This week’s guest editor is Kristen Cavallo (), Executive Director of The Branch Museum of Design.

Kristen never planned on becoming a CEO — yet she did, twice. For thirty years, she helped build some of the world’s most recognized creative agencies, including and . After a career spent shaping brands and advancing equity, she left advertising to focus on something just as ambitious: building Virginia’s only museum devoted to design. Now, as Executive Director of , she’s helping people see how that craft influences the way we live.

In this special issue of , Kristen shares her tips for upcoming events not to miss. Kristen begins by recommending the Roaring Twenties Speakeasy. On December 10, the museum will offer cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live jazz, and a few secrets hidden throughout the house. Guests of the Roaring Twenties Speakeasy will experience the building as it was once lived in. Festive attire encouraged — and don’t forget the password! Make sure to check out the second image in this post of the portrait featuring Branch family descendant Ned Rennolds, painted by Edmund Archer. Rennolds was also one of the founding members of .

Next, Kristen lets readers in on huge news about The Art of Fashion! Presented with , this exhibition will bring Christian Siriano () and Ashley Longshore () together in a bold exchange between fashion and art. Siriano’s red-carpet gowns appear in an immersive runway installation. Longshore’s pop portraits are displayed alongside the gowns, revealing how art and fashion continue to inspire one another.

And finally, readers are treated to news that, launching in 2026, a new quarterly series called The Makers Studio will bring the act of making to the public.

Bonus: check out the image of Cudi, the new “Opurrations Director” at The Branch!

11/13/2025

Botanical Garden’s beloved GardenFest of Lights returns for its 2025-2026 season with a new theme: The Elements. Opening November 17 and running through January 4, this year’s display invites visitors to explore millions of lights inspired by fire, earth, air, and water… plus a special fifth element: love; the invisible energy that binds us together.

The walk-through experience transforms the gardens into an illuminated storytelling journey, encouraging visitors to reflect on how elemental forces surround us daily and create harmony, resilience, and wonder in our lives.

Alongside the new thematic displays, GardenFest of Lights brings back popular attractions that have made it a regional holiday tradition.

The Kelly Education Center will once again host model train displays nightly from 4 to 9:45 PM. This year’s volunteer-created scenes center around the theme of Homes and Habitats, featuring a lake scene, wooded mountain, farm, town, and more.

The Warming Fire returns to the Cochrane Rose Garden, offering guests a cozy spot to enjoy hot chocolate and roast s’mores, available for purchase.

In the Lora M. Robins Library, visitors will find handmade natural wood trees built by volunteers and decorated by Henrico County Public Schools () students, alongside the whimsical Fairy Village featuring miniature houses crafted from seeds, petals, and other natural materials.

Photo opportunities abound with a live tree outside the Conservatory and a light tunnel in the Central Garden; ideal backdrops for holiday memories.

The event has earned national recognition, winning USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice award for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in both 2023 and 2024.

Tickets are available via lewisginter.org.

11/12/2025

“Immigrant Stories: Past & Present” storytelling event is set for November 20 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Make sure to join and for a night of stories and connection!

Inspired by the Valentine’s exhibition Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond, the upcoming event invites storytellers from across Richmond to share true tales of migration, adaptation, and finding home in a new place.

While not required, storytellers are encouraged to incorporate a meaningful object into their narrative, reflecting how Generations connects personal stories to tangible artifacts.

Free and open to the public. Come listen, connect, and be part of Richmond’s ongoing story. Follow and for details.

11/08/2025

The stage is set for TEDxYouth@RVA 2025: Wonder tonight at Collegiate School’s Hershey Center for the Arts.

This free community event by celebrates young voices and big ideas that begin with curiosity. Photographer captured a few moments from rehearsal featuring the all-star lineup of speakers who will explore how wonder fuels discovery, invites change, and reminds us there’s always more to learn, feel, and create.

🗓️ Saturday, November 8, 5–7 PM
📍 Collegiate School’s Hershey Center for the Arts

Follow for more about this free event that is open to the public tonight! Learn more at tedxyouthrva.com.

11/08/2025

Councilmembers Sarah Abubaker () and Stephanie Lynch (), along with the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association () and the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (), unveiled a new centennial plaque today honoring the Boulevard Bridge.

One of Richmond’s most beloved landmarks, the bridge affectionately known as the Nickel Bridge was closed to traffic this morning so Richmonders could celebrate the 100th anniversary of this iconic span. Attendees had an opportunity to stroll across the historic bridge, enjoy performances by and , and join for a clean-up effort. Local favorites , , and were also on hand serving breakfast treats and hot drinks.

11/08/2025

Today, Richmond marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic Boulevard Bridge (affectionately known by locals as the Nickel Bridge). From 9 to 11 AM, the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association () is teaming up with the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority () and other community partners for a one-of-a-kind celebration right on the bridge.

Attendees can stroll across the historic span while taking in the river views, join a clean-up, and enjoy live music from and . Local favorites , , and will be serving up breakfast treats and hot drinks.

A special program with and community leaders will take place around 10 AM on the southside bank, featuring the unveiling of the official Centennial Plaque to honor one of Richmond’s most beloved landmarks.

11/07/2025

If this week’s Feed More collection at is any indication, it looks like plenty of Richmonders are landing on Santa’s nice list this December. With The Evergreen, a popular holiday pop-up bar at Birdies, set to open soon, the good folks at Birdies and decided to add a new twist to Richmond’s most festive holiday tradition this year by adding a giving component this year.

To put the overwhelming demand for spots at The Evergreen to good use, they hosted an in-person food drive this week to support . Guests who donated at the door secured a coveted reservation time and date of their choice at this year’s upcoming pop-up. Feed More was onsite to collect donations, while the Common House and Birdies teams managed the reservations.

Together, the event generated $9,536 in donations and 1,072 pounds of food, providing 39,037 meals for .

📸

11/07/2025

Tonight’s the night! River City Rails kicks off with over 50 local and national artists and a powerhouse lineup of live music. We’re proud to serve as a sponsor. Come check out the immersive works of art co-created by and , celebrating train culture and creativity. And don’t miss the long-awaited return of to ’ stage for the first time in 13 years!

“When I was the programming manager at Gallery5 16 years ago, Young Widows was my favorite band to book. They are a crucial part of my history with Gallery5. I felt it was very important to have them play this event and bring everything full circle,” says curator Curtis Grimstead ().

He adds, “Doing this show (River City Rails) and bringing back one of my favorite bands to ever come through the building really ties everything together. Last time Young Widows played Gallery5, I woke up the next day in the Gallery—that’s not happening this time.”

And the music doesn’t stop there, the evening will also feature live performances by , , and , making it a night full of music, art, and community.

Bonus: Try to snag one of the limited-edition Noah Scalin x Young Widows collab T-shirts tonight. All of Young Widows’ record covers feature skulls, making it the perfect time to collaborate with Noah of Skull-A-Day fame.

📸

11/04/2025

Today’s the day! Participate, smile, and make your voice count. 🗳

11/01/2025

All the Saints Theater Company presented “Richmond’s 20th Annual Halloween Parade: A Funeral March for the American Dream!” last night in Oregon Hill. Photographer was there to capture Richmond’s most treasured Halloween tradition with a message to share. The evening once again brought out plenty of puppets, brass and drums, a zombie string band, megaphones, beasts, dragons, stilts, and larger-than-life pageantry!

📸

10/31/2025

Empatía (Empathy) is complete, and a celebration is being held tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 1, to debut the newest mural in the Trust Building/s series created by artists Alfonso Pérez Acosta () and Noah Scalin () in collaboration with One Small Step. The Richmond community is invited to join the artists and organizers in celebrating the mural’s completion with a hands-on morning of reflection and connection.

📅 Saturday, November 1 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 211 N 18th Street

Artists Alfonso Pérez Acosta and Wayne Dementi, the portrait subject of this wall, will share their first conversation and the inspiration that shaped Empatía. The mural marks a meaningful milestone as Alfonso is the first Colombian to have a portrait of himself featured in a Richmond mural.

Participants will also have a chance to paint a rock with a word, message, or reflection about what empathy means to them. Each rock will become a lasting part of Empatía, carrying participants’ stories and energy into the mural’s space.

10/30/2025

This week’s guest editor of .weekly, our subscription newsletter featuring tips from one favorite Richmonder each week, is S. Ross Browne (). Ross is a celebrated Richmond artist whose work has enriched the River City with depth and color for decades. Born in Mount Vernon, NY, Ross studied Communication Art and Design at and The Corcoran School of Art. His paintings have appeared in 75+ exhibitions across the U.S. and abroad, with works in the permanent collections of the VMFA, Valentine Museum, Black History Museum of Virginia, VCU, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and The JXN Project.

Ross has received honors from the VMFA, Black History Museum of Virginia, Virginia Commission for the Arts, CultureWorks, and the Gottlieb Foundation. You can spot his murals across Virginia, from the Children’s Hospital at VCU Health to Virginia State University and beyond. He was also an inaugural artist in the acclaimed Mending Walls Mural Project.

As an educator, Ross has shared his passion through therapeutic art programs at VCU Health and youth initiatives like Art 180 and the Fresh Air Fund.

This week, Ross joins with his tips for exploring and celebrating the city we call home. He suggests a walk or bike ride through Manchester, following the Floodwall Trail (), under the Manchester Bridge, across the Potterfield Bridge, and onto Brown’s Island and Belle Isle to see some of Richmond’s best views.

He also recommends taking a class at , where he teaches intermediate and advanced acrylic painting. His students, he says, come from all backgrounds and age groups with one thing in common: they want to create.

Finally, don’t miss Bodies of Labor: Hands That Built a Nation at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, featuring Virginia artists’ interpretations of labor and African Americans’ contributions. The exhibit () closes Dec 16, 2025.

If you’re a subscriber, check your inbox for this week’s issue, or subscribe free at hereweekly.com.

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