RHA Riffs: an intimate, salon style, discussion series

In 2017, our studio started hosting a seasonal discussion series with the intention of providing a venue for interesting people to talk about their work, passions, and issues that are important to them, followed by a discussion amongst a small group of invited conversationalists.

For every event, our studio unanimously selects a word for presenters to address in their presentations. This word ties the presentations and people loosely together while still allowing for open ended conversations. In the past, chosen words have been MINI, BLIP, DARK, FLUFF, DUST, ALIENS, TOTEM, PERVERSE, MEMORY, UGLY, and DEADPAN.

‘Mini’

February 29, 2024

Presenters:
Ed Marquand, Bookmaker
Glenna Cole Allee, Photographer & Artist
Grace Ryan, Industrial Designer
Jonathan Hallet, Landscape Architect
Lou Maxon, Brand Content Designer

Conversationalists:
Shannon Nichol, Landscape Architect
Emily Hagen, Architect
Greg Lundgren, Artist & Curator

‘Blip’

November 15, 2023

Presenters:
Shannon Nichol, Landscape Architect
Alissa Williams, Artist
Garret Nelli, Architect
Thomas Cheney, Architect

Conversationalists:
Victoria Haven, Artist
Amelia Jarvinen, Architect
David Lipe, Architect

‘Dark’

January 17, 2019

Presenters:
Jeb Owen, Entomologist & Artist
Katie Miller, Artist
Anthony Pellecchia, Architect
Meredith Clark, Poet & Writer

Conversationalists:
Kathy Wesselman, Artist
Nancy Guppy, Writer & Host

‘Fluff’

November 29, 2018

Presenters:
Jody Poorwill, Photographer & Artist
Kristen Becker, Architect
Philippe Hyojung Kim, Artist
Yonnas Getahun, Poet
Amanda Manitach, Artist & Curator

Conversationalists:
Victoria Haven, Artist
Eirik Johnson, Photographer
Saul Becker, Architect & Artist
Ben Beres, Artist
Clyde Petersen, Artist

‘Dust’

September 20, 2018

Presenters:
Kailin Gregga, Architect
Sasha Leon, Architect & Artist
Sarah Kavage, Artist
David Rue, Dance Artist
Mark Calderon, Artist

Conversationalists:
Chiyo Ishikawa, Curator
Taiji Miyasaka, Architect
Ellen Adams, Writer

‘Aliens’

July 19, 2018

Presenters:
Cory Mattheis, Architect
Rafael Soldi, Photographer, Artist, & Curator
Rebecca Marsh, Architect
Victoria Haven, Artist
Vlanka Catalan, Architect & Photographer

Conversationalists:
Abby Dougherty, Artist & Set Designer
Robert Svetz, Architect
David Lipe, Architect & Builder
Julie Parrett, Landscape Architect
Tristan Walker, Architect

‘Totem’

May 24, 2018

Presenters:
Juan Benavides, Architect & Filmmaker
Uzi Idah, Architect & Graphic Designer
Seth David Friedman, Artist
Kat Larson, Artist

Conversationalists:
Javier Sanchez, Architect
Penelope West, Architect

‘Perverse’

March 8, 2018

Presenters:
Josh Brevoort, Architect
Ellen Adams, Writer
Peter North, Artist
Abby Dougherty, Artist & Set Designer
Mark West, Artist & Builder

Conversationalists:
Jordan Howland, Artist & Project Manager
Lisa Chun, Architect
Jennifer Zwick, Artist

‘Memory’

January 11, 2018

Presenters:
Beth Sellars, Curator
Siyu Qu, Architect
Greg Lundgren, Artist & Curator
Mary Ann Peters, Artist

Conversationalists:
Jake Labarre, Architect
Kat Larson, Artist
Michele Wang, Architect

‘Ugly’

November 2, 2017

Presenters:
Barbara Swift, Landscape Architect
Jennifer Zwick, Artist
Benjamin Emery, Architect & Musician

Conversationalists:
Yonnas Getahun, Poet
Rebecca Marsh, Architect
Mariana Gutheim, Architect & Installation Artist

‘Deadpan’

August 31, 2017

Presenters:
Eirik Johnson, Photographer
Kathy Wesselman, Graphic Designer & Artist
Mike Jobes, Architect
Ryan Patterson, Architect

Conversationalists:
Angela Yang, Architect
Nate Russell, Architect
Mary Ann Peters, Artist