Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Rios.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began as an artist who moved to San Diego in 2017, excited to find the right audience to embrace my style of painting. I was so enthusiastic about how much value I had gotten from my artwork over the years, that I wanted to share it with others as much as possible. In 2022, I began entering art shows in San Diego, from large convention shows, to smaller neighborhood street fairs. I was quickly connected with a quaint art gallery in Solana Beach called Art Scene West. It was a small group exhibition, and each of us were investing a little of our own money to be part of it. After becoming personally involved in the gallery’s operations, I learned this was not going to be my big break into the art world. The gallery was on its last leg, and a couple months after joining it, I was helping to clean its storage and close its doors in Solana Beach, for good. The end of 2022 brought the end of an era for Art Scene West.
I returned to my life as an artist and substitute teacher in San Diego with as much enthusiasm as I ever had. I continued showing my artwork in local shows, and eventually brought them to New York City to show at Art Expo, NY. All the while, the owner of Art Scene West and myself stayed connected over 2023, and met several times for a coffee and meal to talk about ideas of rejuvenating the gallery. There were times I thought it was just fancy thoughts. But there was no risk in sharing ideas, and catching up with an old friend was always nice. But toward the end of 2023 these ideas began to lighten up possibilities in my head, and the concept of turning Art Scene West into an Events gallery inspired me to try and put these ideas into action.
My degree in college is in Organization Studies, and organizing events was one of the goals I had in mind while earning it. I formulate my plan, and anticipated everything, from advertising to artists, to showing their work, to hosting the live event that would bring people together for a fabulous time.
At the end of 2023, I was given the title of Chief Operations Officer of Art Scene West, and was made part owner. I was soon building the new website, while also writing the artist-call and arranging the logistics for all of it to become possible. Since then, Art Scene West has successfully transitioned into an Art & Events gallery. Our first exhibition, the juried Finest Art Showcase San Diego, went off as I envisioned, and we are proud of our online display, both in its appearance and the variety of super talented artists we represent from San Diego and all other reaches of the world. We partnered with local San Diego organizations like San Pasqual Winery and Modern Times Beer, acquiring drink donations from them while also donating a portion of our proceeds to the non-profit Villa Musica, who provided live music for our event.
The momentum from this event carried us into Seaport Village, in downtown San Diego, where we now have a galley space and are showing the award winners from the Finest Art Showcase exhibition, as well as some of my own. I am quickly building the business model, and Art Scene West gallery will soon host daily Paint and Sip events on the weekends, led by myself and other guest artists. We plan to keep our walls fresh with new artists and refreshing takes on creativity for the city of San Diego to know and embrace.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been anything but smooth. From my start with the gallery, it feels like I’ve been holding this entity in my own hands, and only now am teaching it walk on its own. But it’s not easy, and I’m bearing the brunt of this effort, literally putting blood and sweat into it. But not tears, I’m waiting for the tears of joy. The financial risk is especially real. I’m trying to generate a revenue in real-time to cover all these costs so we don’t have to take out a loan. I’m also scrambling to make this a real business before I go back to work as a substitute teacher in the fall. Since we’re getting a pay cut there, it puts a little more pressure on my expectations to make this a successful venture. I’m grateful for my friends and family who have put in a hand to help me get this far. Without them, it would simply not have been possible. But all those people believe in me, so I know with that support I have a good chance of succeeding as long as I am able to believe in myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was always creative growing up, but didn’t pursue it seriously until after high-school. My passion for music started first at 18 years old, where I learned to play the guitar and started recording and producing my own songs. Then at 20 years old I began painting for fun, just to decorate my bedroom walls. At 22 years old I wrote my first novel in community college, and had it self published and sold about a hundred paperback copies over the years. I actively work on and improve in all of these areas, and get so much joy from each of them. I was always told to just focus on one thing to pursue, but I consider each of them; painting, music, and writing, to be like a separate gear in the same engine. I need them all to operate. My mind is keen to business and organization. I’ve invested a lot of money to participate in art shows, and I haven’t sold enough art yet to cover those costs. But just like people pay for advance degrees in college, I consider these lessons in life to be worth what I spent. I’ve had to think even more creatively, take even more chances, and push myself all the more and adapt as many times as it takes to make my ventures successful. Working hard is the most rewarding way to spend my time, whether on a creative project, or toward helping my business improve.
My paintings are on display now in the Art Scene West gallery, and they fully incorporate my passion for raw and energetic beauty. It’s what I want to communicate the most and what connects all of my creations. My living room duals as my music studio and art gallery. My electric guitar, bass guitar, and electric drum kit all have their place and are all an arms length away from me plugging them in and shredding some spontaneous riff and solo, or practicing one of my original songs to eventually record on my Mac. Right now, I have about 3 novels written, and several short stories that I’ve posted on my personal website. I’m a creative person that blends all of my mediums and outlets together to put forth my own signature on the world from my perspective and experience in it.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I do see tremendous growth for us over the next 5-10 years as we become a reputable gallery that shows awesome artwork and puts on equally awesome, fun and friendly events. With each endeavor I am always learning how to improve and coming up with new ideas and ways to engage the people that makes sense for everyone. I love the idea of partnerships and connecting with local community organizations. I come from the shoes of an artist, but also someone who’s a fan of seeing art and thankful there are events I can experience, either randomly or planned out. Our gallery interns are super bright and want a career in the art world, so I think with the opportunity this presents for them as well, we can definitely hope to see bigger things on the horizon and eventually be a gallery that’s recognized nation-wide.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artscenewest.com
- Instagram: artscenewest
- Facebook: artscenewestgallery
