September Artist Spotlight

Tim Aguilar

September brings another First Thursday Artswalk to Downtown Riverside, with galleries, museums, creative spaces, and more than 100 Artists on Main coming together to showcase the incredible range of artists who make up our community. This month’s Artswalk also brings a new exhibition to Pain Sugar Gallery, curated by photographer Tim Aguilar. Featuring his own work alongside the work of other artists, the exhibition gives Tim an opportunity to share a creative practice that has taken him from the Inland Empire to locations around the world.

A lifelong Inland Empire resident, Tim picked up a camera and skateboard while in high school and hasn’t put either down since. Over the past 10–15 years, skateboarding and photography have become intertwined in both his life and career. Today, he travels the world documenting action sports alongside friends who happen to be some of the top athletes in their disciplines. His photography has appeared in Thrasher Magazine and other action sports publications for more than a decade.

For Tim, photography is about much more than documenting a moment. He continues to chase the feeling that comes when everything aligns—the athlete, timing, composition, and split-second decision to take the shot. Shooting fisheye from just a little closer than he probably should, sometimes narrowly avoiding a skateboard in the process, is all part of capturing the image he has in mind.

“I haven’t taken the best photo ever just yet,” Tim says. “Maybe I never will, but that won’t stop me from trying to do better.”

That constant pursuit keeps him creating every day. While action sports photography has become his profession, the drive behind his work remains deeply personal. His goal is not only to continue photographing inspirational moments and shooting more covers for Thrasher, but also to create images outside of action sports that make someone stop, feel something, and think about life differently.

Tim has also become increasingly connected to Riverside’s arts community, participating in events with Urge Palette and taking opportunities to share his work locally. Through those experiences, he has found new opportunities to exchange ideas, meet other creatives, and be inspired by the artists around him.

He hopes to see even more opportunities for artists develop throughout Riverside, including additional galleries, resources, and spaces where local artists can strengthen and showcase their work. He also hopes his own career can encourage another photographer or artist to pursue their creative goals.

During Riverside Artswalk on Thursday, September 3, stop by Pain Sugar Gallery to experience Tim’s exhibition, see his photography, and discover the artists he has brought together for the show. While you’re downtown, explore the galleries, museums, Artists on Main, and creative spaces that continue to make Riverside’s Arts & Culture District a destination for artists and the community.

For more information about Tim, visit timaguilarphoto.com or follow @timaguilar on Instagram.