Richmond Grid

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.

Richmond’s beloved Lowe’s cat, Francine (), is still missing and the River City is rallying to bring her home. A $2,000...
09/29/2025

Richmond’s beloved Lowe’s cat, Francine (), is still missing and the River City is rallying to bring her home.

A $2,000 reward has been offered by local nonprofit to help facilitate her safe return.

Francine, the white calico affectionately known by RVA shoppers as the Lowe’s cat, was last seen exiting a truck at Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center #1420 in Garysburg, NC. She is microchipped and is believed to be on or near the facility grounds.

Organizers are asking the community to help spread the word, particularly to workers at Lowe’s RDC #1420 and residents of Garysburg. They also emphasize that the public should not show up at RDC #1420, as access is restricted, and remind everyone to avoid harassing team members who are already working hard to locate Francine.

For updates or to share information, follow on Instagram or call 804-495-1076.

Many Hands will return this Friday, October 3, with its next community forum at St. Joseph’s Villa. Part of a twelve-par...
09/29/2025

Many Hands will return this Friday, October 3, with its next community forum at St. Joseph’s Villa. Part of a twelve-part series, the gathering is designed to bring neighbors together around big ideas and meaningful conversations, paired with locally sourced coffee, kombucha, and breakfast snacks.

Doors open at 8:45 a.m., and the program begins at 9:00 before wrapping up at 10:00 a.m. Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged. True to form, the identity of the featured speaker will not be revealed until the morning of the event, a tradition that has helped keep the focus on dialogue and discovery.

This week’s forum will feature coffee from Blanchard’s, kombucha from Ninja Kombucha, and food prepared by Soul n’ Vinegar. The event is hosted at St. Joseph’s Villa, one of Richmond’s most historic community institutions.

With four sessions already completed, Many Hands has become known for sparking unexpected conversations and connections. Participants often describe the forums as a rare chance to meet new neighbors, consider new perspectives, and find common ground in a city that thrives on collaboration.

The October 3 gathering marks the fifth forum in the series, with seven more to come. Organizers describe the work as a collective experiment in imagining Richmond’s future together.

This week’s big poster reveal showcased the stunning artwork for the Richmond Folk Festival and the 2nd Street Festival ...
09/26/2025

This week’s big poster reveal showcased the stunning artwork for the Richmond Folk Festival and the 2nd Street Festival , with the moment beautifully captured by .

The official 2nd Street Festival () poster was created by Richmond-based artist Amiri Richardson-Keys (.life) a visual fine artist, art educator, and art therapist whose work reflects love and cultural awareness. Official posters and t-shirts will be available for purchase tent on 2nd Street during the festival in historic Jackson Ward, October 4–5, 2025.

For the Richmond Folk Festival () poster, Venture Richmond tapped artist Julie Wang (), joining an esteemed group of past poster artists including Wes Freed, Mickael Broth, Katie McBride, Chris Milk, Cassandra Kim, and Hamilton Glass. Julie’s design highlights Richmond’s natural side, blending native animals and plants with traditional folk instruments. Her choice of a linocut style, with bold colors and a lively composition, captures a handcrafted quality and an all-are-welcome spirit of the festival.

The 2025 Official Richmond Folk Festival poster will be available for sale during the festival, October 10–12, 2025, at Plan 9 merch tents. After the festival, posters will also be available at Plan 9 Music in Carytown.

📸

James River Park System has announced that Andrew Alli (.g.alli) has been appointed as the new James River Park Superint...
09/21/2025

James River Park System has announced that Andrew Alli (.g.alli) has been appointed as the new James River Park Superintendent. Giles Garrison, the most recent JRPS superintendent, has moved up to become an Operations and Programs Manager for DPRCF.

Andrew, who is also a celebrated local musician, has climbed the ranks over the past decade and most recently served as DPRCF’s Trails and Greenways Superintendent. He will continue to work in that role as well as take over management of JRPS, which serves as the River City’s largest and most visited park.

“We are confident that his leadership will build upon the incredible foundation laid by his predecessors and the tireless work of Park staff, volunteers, and dedicated community members. We look forward to collaborating closely with him to ensure the James River Park System continues to thrive as a vibrant, accessible, and cherished resource for all,” says Josh Stutz, Executive Director of .

Andrew is a Richmond native, and his Environmental Studies education from VCU solidified his passion for conservation initiatives and community engagement. JRPS says that his new role of Superintendent is absolutely critical to the health, accessibility, and future of the James River Park System. From maintaining miles of trails and preserving vital habitats to overseeing educational programs and advocating for essential infrastructure, the Superintendent guides the daily operations and long-term enhancement of this invaluable asset.

“The James River Park System is more than just green space; it is the beating heart of Richmond. It provides solace, adventure, and a vital connection to nature for thousands of residents and visitors every single day. As we continue to advocate for critical projects like the transformation of Mayo Island into new public parkland and expand our efforts in natural resource management and long-term conservation planning, Andrew’s leadership will be instrumental in guiding these initiatives to success,” says Stutz.

📸

From FBI aspirations to food justice: Taylor Scott’s journey illustrates how community organizing can grow from personal...
09/19/2025

From FBI aspirations to food justice: Taylor Scott’s journey illustrates how community organizing can grow from personal discovery to citywide impact. With Taylor as the helm as this week’s guest editor of .weekly, prepare to dig deep!

In 2020, Taylor founded RVA Community Fridges () after her hydroponic garden’s abundant harvest opened her eyes to food systems and community needs. What started as one fridge in Church Hill has expanded to 15 locations across Richmond, strategically placed in communities affected by redlining and food apartheid.

Taylor also co-runs Matchbox Mutual Aid (), a brick-and-mortar kitchen space partnering with Richmond Food Not Bombs to host community cook days and free food-based courses.

The fridges operate 24/7, 365 days a year on a simple principle: take what you need, give what you can. Community members volunteer, donate, and vote on future sites through rvacommunityfridges.com.

This week’s community events include:
• ’s Fund the Fridge concert ft. (Friday, 6:30 PM, 3511 P St)
• Tatreez Circle needlework gathering (Sunday, 12 PM, Sefton Coffee)
• Community cook day (Tuesday, 5-8 PM, Matchbox Mutual Aid)

Taylor’s model has helped establish community fridges throughout Virginia and beyond, demonstrating how grassroots mutual aid can address food insecurity at the neighborhood level.

📸: Jud Froelich

Richmond is home to a creative force: Noah Scalin, alongside his sister Mica Scalin (now based in New York). Together, t...
09/19/2025

Richmond is home to a creative force: Noah Scalin, alongside his sister Mica Scalin (now based in New York). Together, their joint venture is launching the ROI of Creativity Summit from September 22 through October 30. This virtual series brings in thinkers and artists from around the world to explore how creativity shapes leadership, well-being, and culture in times of rapid change.

Noah (), born and raised in the River City, has spent over two decades transforming public space and the city’s creative landscape. He was the first artist-in-residence ’s School of Business and his work includes large murals, community art installations, and landmark moments like Skull-A-Day and portrait work integrating donated clothing.

Mica, working from New York, builds bridges through media, innovation, and leadership. Her years leading creative projects across nonprofits, corporations, and grassroots communities help shape the upcoming Summit’s vision to make creativity an essential 21st century skill.

Speakers for the upcoming virtual series will include experts from neuroscience, design, business, and the arts. There’s still time to RSVP at anotherlimitedrebellion.com.

1708 Gallery’s InLight, the annual public exhibition of contemporary art experienced at night, is just one month away. T...
09/17/2025

1708 Gallery’s InLight, the annual public exhibition of contemporary art experienced at night, is just one month away. This year’s event, hosted at Abner Clay Park, will spotlight Super!Giant!Jump!Star! serving as the grand premiere of artist George Ferrandi’s multidisciplinary project Jump!Star.

The 2025 edition of InLight marks a first for , as the event focuses exclusively on a single artistic vision. Ferrandi’s immersive project will feature a special outdoor performance by , transforming Abner Clay Park into a celestial gathering of light, sound, and ceremony.

Leading up to the festival, Richmonders are invited to a lantern workshop this Friday, September 19, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Those interested in supporting InLight have two volunteer opportunities. InLight Volunteers assist with check-in, vendor and artist support, tent and table setup, visitor greetings, and donations. Dark Matter Volunteers help carry the large but lightweight lantern sculptures across the park. Named after the force that holds up the stars, Dark Matter Volunteers play an essential role in bringing Super!Giant!Jump!Star! to life.

Save the Date:
💡InLight 2025: Super!Giant!Jump!Star! ()
🗓️ October 17–18, 2025 | 7–11 p.m.
📍 Abner Clay Park
📸 Tod Seelie

Richmond’s only multicultural dance festival returns September 20 as Culture Encounters () presents the 2nd Annual Richm...
09/17/2025

Richmond’s only multicultural dance festival returns September 20 as Culture Encounters () presents the 2nd Annual Richmond International Dance Festival at Deep Run Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our first festival proved the power of dance to bring Richmond together,” said Amma Gatty, founder and CEO of Culture Encounters. “This year builds on that momentum.”

The festival brings global dance performances, food vendors, and activities for all ages. Partners include Henrico’s Office of Outreach and Engagement and BLK RVA.

📍 Deep Run Park
📅 Saturday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
🎟 Free and open to the public

The James River Association’s EcoFest returns today, September 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM at the James A. Buzzard River Educa...
09/13/2025

The James River Association’s EcoFest returns today, September 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM at the James A. Buzzard River Education Center in Richmond. The celebration will include guided tours, tree giveaways, live demonstrations, and a chance to meet Scute the Sturgeon while learning about the river’s wildlife. Free parking and shuttle service will be available ’s taproom, 3401 Williamsburg Avenue.

This year’s limited-edition EcoFest poster, created by , will be available for $25 at the table. Only 100 copies will be printed, with proceeds supporting JRA’s mission to protect and restore the James River.

This week we welcome back artist, musician, and community leader Ed Trask () as guest editor of .weekly, a subscription ...
09/11/2025

This week we welcome back artist, musician, and community leader Ed Trask () as guest editor of .weekly, a subscription e-newsletter by Grid. Ed really requires no introduction. He sums himself up like this: “Painter, drummer. A scattered mess trying to push stories, color, composition, rhythm, love, and light on to the masses.” That restless energy has defined Ed’s work and his place in the River City for more than three decades.

Ed has been a driving force in using public art as a catalyst for community. He co-founded RVA Street Art Festival, served as a commissioner for the city’s Public Art Commission, and worked with nonprofits to bring inclusive, collaborative murals to neighborhoods across the region. He has also shared his perspective in classrooms, boardrooms, and community spaces, reminding people that art is most powerful when it belongs to everyone.

Today Ed’s work can be found in collections around the world, including . On the horizon for Ed is a new gallery space created by Artists for Hope to incubate new creative endeavors that give back.

In this week’s issue of , Ed recommends that readers support Camera to Canvas happening tomorrow. This annual event blends photography and painting to benefit the . At the event or online, you’ll be able to bid on his painting, as well as photographs by Richmond photographer and original works from other artists. Every dollar raised helps protect the park that we all love to call home.

Next, Ed recommends walking the dams under the Manchester Bridge for the perfect blend of nature and the energy of rushing water pounding rocks for millions of years, with trains carrying goods, coal, and people while osprey and herons look for a place to roost. You can also walk the dam to the now-closed Pipeline Trail, a beloved spot for so many who seek solace and connection. Ed encourages everyone to support the Save the Pipeline efforts to restore public access.

And he suggests that we all revisit our love for . Order the pork, sip an espresso, and remember why we rally around the places that feel like home.

hereweekly.com

This Sunday, September 14, the Big GAY Local Pride Market () returns from 2 to 6 PM at the Carillon Lawn and First Unita...
09/11/2025

This Sunday, September 14, the Big GAY Local Pride Market () returns from 2 to 6 PM at the Carillon Lawn and First Unitarian Universalist on Blanton Avenue. More than fifty LGBTQ+ artists and makers will gather alongside food trucks, live music, and mutual aid partners for an afternoon of community and celebration.

DJ BiigDrii () will set the soundtrack while Butch Femme RVA () hosts a sliding-scale clothes stamping station, Mayday Hoops () will bring hooping tricks, and VC Styles () will offer colorful q***r face painting. Expect bubbles, chalk art, picnic blanket baskets, and the Q***r Rendezvous Selfie Contest with a chance to win two tattoos from Pink Possum Tattoo ().

The market is made possible through local support with sponsors including OUT RVA () and Stir Crazy RVA (). Admission is free, everyone is welcome.

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