Who is Zach Raley…
Zach Raley is a 17-year-old contemporary artist based in Needham, Massachusetts. Working primarily with acrylics, resin, inks, and mixed media, his large-scale paintings explore memory, movement, and place. Each piece is layered and experimental, blending vibrant color with texture to evoke both personal experience and universal emotion.
Despite his age, Zach maintains a professional studio practice and regularly exhibits in Rhode Island, with past shows at the Jamestown Arts Center, CUSP Gallery, and the Newport Artists Collective. His work has earned national recognition, including a Gold Medal from the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Currently, Zach is developing a new series centered on themes of childhood and “ignorant bliss”—moments of joy, stillness, and raw wonder. His art invites viewers to revisit the beauty of everyday experience, reimagined through his bold and evolving style.
The Newport Artist Collective is a collective of artists in Newport RI. Zach is a member.
For Raley, travel is a huge part of creation, as he is often inspired by the places that he has been. This page is filled with images of his travels. Take a look and see what places around the world inspire his artwork.
Racing and the Alps
Ghana
Chamonix/Annecy France
Quebec City/Canada
London/The UK
Follow the process
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Follow the process ☆
FOLLOW THE PROCESS
As Zach creates his works, travels, and paints, he updates his Instagram Zachraley_art. Feel free to follow it and keep up with show announcements, upcoming works, and gain insight into his creative process.