Richmond has a lot of festivals. Honestly, maybe too many. You can’t walk two blocks in the spring without hitting a strawberry festival or a beer crawl. But the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts is different. It’s smaller. It’s grittier. It feels like the Richmond people actually live in, not the one on the tourism brochures.
If you’ve lived in Forest Hill for more than five minutes, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Every September, this tiny stretch of pavement near the Forest Hill Park area transforms into a massive open-air gallery. It’s not corporate. There are no national sponsors shouting at you from booths. It’s basically just a bunch of incredibly talented people showing off their work on a street corner.
It started way back in 1991. Think about that for a second. In 1991, the neighborhood looked a lot different, and the local art scene was mostly underground. Robin Cage and the folks at the 43rd Street Gallery decided to throw a party for their friends and neighbors. They wanted to show off local craft. They didn't realize they were building a Richmond institution.
What Actually Happens at the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts
Most people show up for the art, but they stay for the vibe. It’s a juried show. That’s a fancy way of saying not just anyone can set up a card table and sell beaded bracelets. The organizers are picky. They look for high-level contemporary crafts. We’re talking professional-grade ceramics, glasswork that looks like it belongs in a museum, and jewelry that actually has a soul.
The layout is tight. You’re walking past 70 or so artists, and it gets crowded. Fast. But that’s sort of the point. You end up rubbing elbows with your neighbors, holding a paper plate of local food, and trying not to trip over a golden retriever.
Music is a huge part of the day. It’s usually local bluegrass, folk, or jazz. Nothing that requires a stadium sound system, just good, honest tunes that float over the chatter of the crowd. The stage is usually right there in the middle of the street. It’s intimate. You can see the sweat on the fiddler's forehead.
The Charity Element No One Mentions
Here is the thing that makes this festival better than the others: it gives back. The 43rd Street Festival of the Arts has a long-standing tradition of supporting Caritas. If you aren't from around here, Caritas is a local non-profit that does incredible work for the homeless population in Richmond.
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They do this thing where artists donate pieces for a raffle. You buy a ticket for a few bucks, and you might walk away with a $200 hand-thrown vase. All that money goes straight to helping people find housing and stability. It gives the whole event a sense of purpose that goes beyond just buying pretty things for your mantel.
Why Artists Love This Specific Show
I’ve talked to artists who travel from all over the Mid-Atlantic to be here. Why? It isn't because it’s the biggest crowd they’ll see all year. It’s because the Richmond crowd actually buys art.
In some cities, people just window shop. They walk around, eat a funnel cake, and leave. In Forest Hill, people come with empty wall space in mind. They know the artists by name. They wait for this Saturday every September to add to their collection.
- The Jury Process: It’s competitive. Being accepted is a badge of honor for regional makers.
- The Location: Being nestled right near the James River and Forest Hill Park adds a natural beauty you don't get at a convention center.
- The Atmosphere: It feels like a block party, not a trade show.
There is a certain level of nuance to the work here. You’ll see "fine art," sure, but you also see "fine craft." There’s a distinction. Fine craft implies utility—bowls you can actually eat out of, chairs you can sit in, scarves that actually keep you warm. The 43rd Street Festival of the Arts bridges that gap perfectly.
Navigating the Day Like a Local
If you show up at noon, good luck finding a parking spot. You’ll end up parking six blocks away and hiking up the hill. Pro tip: get there early. The serious collectors are there the moment the booths open.
Eat the local food. Usually, it’s vendors from right there in the neighborhood. We aren't talking about frozen corn dogs. It’s usually something fresh, something local, and something that probably has pimento cheese on it because, well, this is Virginia.
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Don’t be afraid to talk to the artists. That’s the whole reason they are there. They spent hundreds of hours in a studio alone making this stuff. They want to tell you about the glaze on that mug or the specific type of wood in that table. It makes the piece mean more when you get it home.
A Note on the Weather
It’s Richmond in September. It might be 70 degrees and perfect, or it might be 95 degrees with 90% humidity. Or it might rain. The festival usually goes on rain or shine. If it rains, the crowds thin out, and that is actually the best time to find the hidden gems. The artists are still there, they’re just a bit damp.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "flea market." It really isn't. If you’re looking for vintage clothes or old records, you’re in the wrong place. This is about the "new." New creations, new techniques, and new artists entering the scene.
Another misconception is that it’s too expensive. While there are certainly pieces that cost as much as a used car, there are plenty of artists selling prints, small ceramics, or handmade cards for under $20. It’s accessible. You don’t have to be a millionaire to support the local arts economy.
Why the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts Still Matters
In an era of Amazon Prime and mass-produced everything, there is something deeply rebellious about buying a bowl made by a person who lives three miles from you. It’s a connection to the community.
This festival has survived for decades because it stays true to its roots. It hasn't tried to "scale up" or move to a bigger venue. It stays on 43rd Street. It stays local. It stays high quality.
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When you buy something here, you aren't just getting an object. You're getting a story. You’re remembering the day the sun hit the pavement just right, the sound of the banjo playing in the distance, and the conversation you had with the woman who spent thirty years perfecting her glass-blowing technique.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Check the weather and the official 43rd Street Gallery website a week before the event to confirm the specific Saturday in September—usually, it's the third or fourth week. Bring a reusable tote bag; most artists have packaging, but it's easier to carry multiple finds in one sturdy bag.
Bring cash for the Caritas raffle tickets. While almost every artist takes cards or Venmo now, the raffle is often easier with bills. If you're bringing a dog, keep it on a short leash. The aisles are narrow and it can get overwhelming for even the chillest of pups.
Lastly, walk over to Forest Hill Park afterward. It’s right there. Take your art, grab a spot by the lake, and just enjoy the fact that you live in a city that still values making things by hand.
Next Steps for You:
- Mark your calendar for the third Saturday in September to ensure you don't miss the next iteration.
- Follow the 43rd Street Gallery on social media to see the list of juried artists as they are announced in late summer.
- Prepare a budget specifically for the Caritas raffle to support local housing initiatives while getting a chance at high-end art.