About
What We’re All About
SHOP RVA is a campaign that works to recognize, sustain, and support the culture and character that is local to Richmond, Virginia. This character includes a diverse population including art, music, food, a multitude of indigenous stores and businesses, locations of modern and historic significance. The area’s ongoing tradition and history is a haven for those seeking freedom to express artistic, creative, and social concerns. This is something we feel is unique and is worth promoting and preserving. By supporting locally owned and growing businesses you re-invest money into the local economy and this helps the community.
The primary goal of this campaign is to educate the public about the importance of supporting local, growing business and how doing so can inversely benefit the local economy. Through the use of various types of media, we will form a strong visual identity so people may be able to recognize them on more readily. The established identity will reference our website which will serve as a database to promote these businesses and inform the public about news and events to keep them in touch with their community.
How It All Got started
SHOP RVA originated as an assignment in a graphic design class called Design Rebels taught by local artist and activist Noah Scalin, founder of ALR Design. This class taught the values of socially conscious design and encouraged us to use our artistic talent and ideas to promote change. As a product, the SHOP RVA campaign was formed by participating students enrolled in the class. After the class finished, we decided it was something worth pursuing and so to this day we still invest time into furthering it.