Passionate about sharing diverse stories of our community and country, Lisa Henry, Riverside Art Museum curator, sits in the middle of the Joel Sternfeld exhibition “On This Site” at the museum. (Brenda Flowers)
Lisa Henry has been a dedicated and welcoming presence in Riverside since moving to the city in 2010. Known for her warm heart, collaborative spirit, and deep commitment to sharing diverse stories, she has made a lasting impact on the local arts community.
Her passion for connecting people through art began with her work at ArtWorks Gallery, where she organized exhibitions and led the Afterworks workshop series. She joined Inlandia in 2014 as part of the programming committee and now serves on the board, continuing to foster cultural engagement throughout the region.
Since 2023, Lisa has been the Curator at the Riverside Art Museum, bringing her expertise in photography and contemporary American art to the institution. Before her time in Riverside, she worked as an independent curator and art consultant for major institutions on both coasts, including The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, The High Museum of Art, The California African American Museum, The UCLA Hammer Museum, and The Japanese American National Museum.
With an MA in Curatorial Studies from UCLA and a BA from Brown University, Lisa’s work reflects her deep appreciation for storytelling through art. Whether curating exhibitions or collaborating with fellow creatives, she is dedicated to fostering a sense of connection, inclusivity, and shared experience in Riverside and beyond.
What does Riverside mean to you? Riverside has so many great neighborhoods. I’ve lived in different parts of town and really enjoy walking through them. The Wood Streets, with its lovely old homes and gardens, and Casa Blanca, with its own unique flavor—I love the Casa Blanca library. Arlington South has that wonderful sports park, and I enjoy walking along Victoria Avenue. Now, I live downtown, and it’s so much fun. I walk from my apartment to the farmers market on Saturdays, and when I’m not at RAM, I visit the other arts and culture organizations downtown, along with Artswalk every month. I love being able to see the work of so many local artists.
What is your favorite restaurant outside of Downtown or Magnolia Center? It’s not a restaurant, but whenever I’m in the University area, I always stop by Uncle Chuang’s Bakery. I love their pork sung buns, and they have wonderful cookies. The service is always super friendly, and the buns are delicious. I remember when they opened in 2013—I’ve been going ever since.
What is the most beautiful building in Riverside? Will people be surprised if I say the Riverside Art Museum? There’s so much history there, and walking into a building designed by architect Julia Morgan every day is really special. I’m grateful to curate shows in such an incredible space.
What is your favorite Riverside small business? I’m so happy we have a bookstore downtown. I work nearby, so I stop by The Downtowne Bookstore all the time. They have a great selection of books at good prices. I love being able to browse, actually touch and flip through books, and get recommendations.
What is your favorite Riverside nonprofit organization? The Inlandia Institute is an organization I’ve been involved with for many years. Inlandia enriches our cultural landscape through its vibrant programming and unwavering support of local writers. What makes Inlandia truly special is its dual commitment to serving both writers and readers. It’s a nurturing community that celebrates and amplifies local voices, bringing our community together through meaningful events, readings, and writing workshops that feature diverse stories.
I’ve particularly enjoyed the range of programs held downtown, like the innovative Mini Comic Fest featuring Black Kirby at The Culver Center and the launch of Riverside Women Making Change at the Civil Rights Institute. These programs showcase Inlandia’s commitment to highlighting local narratives and fostering community connections.
What is your go-to sandwich in town? The Upper Crust is my go-to sandwich spot. I’m originally from New York City, and while I can’t say California has a true deli culture, The Upper Crust is a real sandwich shop. They have great sandwiches and very good soup! It’s a family-owned, mom-and-pop spot run by Cary and Wretha Knight, and I love going there for lunch during the week. They’re super friendly. Half a pastrami on rye with soup is a perfect lunch. If Cary is taking your order, you’ll also get a great conversation.
What is one place in Riverside you would bring back if you could? There used to be a Ritz Camera on Magnolia—I think it closed in 2013. I miss having a store in town where you could talk to people who really knew about cameras and photo equipment. Even though most people use their phones for photos now, I wish there were a place where folks knowledgeable about photography could show you both the latest technology and analog options, and answer questions about what’s available.
If you could put one message on a billboard on the 91, what would it be? Well, this might be a good time to mention that I mostly walk or take very local mass transit, so freeway billboards aren’t usually on my mind. That being said, if the billboard could be on the 91 and along the routes where I do see signage, I’d love for it to feature one of our Meet Me at The Cheech billboards. The image of Cheech in a car driving to the Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech brings a lot of us joy.
Finally, tell us what you’re working on right now and how our readers can support your efforts—whether it’s a project, passion, or cause close to your heart! I’d love to spotlight a show that’s currently on view, along with a few upcoming exhibitions that focus on place, landscape, and history. Joel Sternfeld: On This Site is a deeply moving exhibition of photographs that recently opened at RAM. Sternfeld’s work reveals photography’s power to explore themes of collective memory and American history.
Later this year, California artists Tamara Cedre and Noe Mones will each have solo shows focusing on land and land use in the Inland Empire. These exhibitions feature contemporary artists exploring place and location, creating work that asks us to think about history, labor, memory, and commemoration.
Neighbor of the Week is our way of celebrating the hidden heroes of Riverside—those who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. We believe every remarkable Riversider deserves their story told. Know someone who’s making a difference? Nominate a Neighbor of the Week
