Vista Art Night: Richard Lund

About This Show

As a member of the Vista Guild Association, the Koger Center for the Arts is proud to partner with the Jasper Project in Third Thursday Art Night. We feature a different artist every month with an opening reception on the Third Thursday of the month — but THIS month we’re hosting our opening reception on Friday, April 18. Our featured artist of April is Richard Lund.

Artist Statement:

“With each stitch, I carefully layer the yarn, blending and mixing colors to evoke a distinct painterly quality. It’s as if my needle becomes a brush, and the fabric transforms into a canvas. Although I have dabbled in more traditional mediums over the years, I can’t help but acknowledge that at the core, I am still a painter—my heart forever drawn to the realm of pigments and palettes.”

Artist Biography:

Richard Lund grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the sun, beaches, and warm weather defined much of his early life. Whether it was the salty air or the laid-back coastal lifestyle, the vibrant atmosphere of Florida shaped his artistic vision. Always sporting shorts and surrounded by endless sunshine, he found inspiration in the beauty and simplicity of everyday life.

After moving to Columbia, South Carolina, 18 years ago, Richard developed a deep appreciation for the rich natural landscapes and changing seasons of the South. From the coastal shores to the mountains, these diverse environments now serve as a major influence in his artwork. The Southern landscape, with its lush trees and varying colors, continues to play a prominent role in his artwork, blending the calm of the beach with the serenity of the mountains.

An even greater influence on Richard’s art was his father. Though not an artist himself, he was an unwavering source of support and encouragement throughout his young  creative journey. He was always by his  side, never holding him back from pursuing any artistic idea, and was present at every art opening, sharing in the joy of his accomplishments. His belief that he should explore his  creativity without limits shaped Richard’s free-spirited approach to art.

Outside of his work, Richard enjoys researching cultural differences and how these distinctions manifest in lifestyle, fashion, and art. Observing the ways people dress and the homes they live in offers a window into the stories of their lives, which deeply informs Richard’s creative practice.

Whether through imagined, abstract forms or simple landscapes, Richard sees himself as a “Southern storyteller.” Art is not only a career but also an integral part of his identity, constantly evolving and reflecting the world around him. Through every stitch of yarn, he continue to share the stories of his  life, the landscapes he  loves, and the people who inspire him.