FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
90 Years of Arts Education
Richmond Art Center Announces Summer Semester Class Lineup
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond
Class listings: richmondartcenter.
Richmond, CA: Richmond Art Center announces its summer 2026 lineup of art classes, celebrating 90 years of community-based arts education.
Founded in 1936 by arts educator Hazel Salmi as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) initiative during the Great Depression, Richmond Art Center initially offered classes at various locations in Richmond in art techniques that were easy to access, including sketching, block printing, flower arranging (pictured above), wood-carving, and leather tooling. Today, nine decades later, Richmond Art Center continues its legacy of accessible arts education in its dedicated facility in Richmond’s Civic Center, the largest community art center of its kind in the East Bay.
This summer’s Adult Art Classes span ceramics, printmaking, weaving, and jewelry/metal arts. Courses are designed for both beginners and experienced artists, with daytime and evening options. Needs-based scholarships are available.
For youth, there is a low-cost weekly Summer Art Camp for Kids, and teens have the opportunity to participate in free intensive sessions through the Youth Art Cohorts program.
“As Richmond Art Center celebrate 90 years, our classes continue a legacy of making arts education welcoming and available to everyone,” said Jeff Nathanson, Interim Executive Director.
Summer art classes are now available to preview online, with enrollment opening Wednesday, April 29 at 10am. Classes take place at 2540 Barrett Avenue in Richmond. Early registration is encouraged, as many courses fill quickly.
Call for Richmond Art Center Stories
As part of its 90th anniversary, Richmond Art Center invites the community to share reflections on what the organization has meant to them, and what they hope it can become in the future. Students, artists, visitors, and neighbors are encouraged to submit their “Richmond Art Center stories” via an online portal. Selected stories may be featured in exhibitions, social media, and other anniversary celebrations. Learn more…
About Richmond Art Center: Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating with the community since 1936. Our programs include classes, exhibitions, and events at our facility in Richmond’s Civic Center, as well as off-site activities that bring free, high-quality art experiences to WCCUSD schools and community partners. richmondartcenter.org
For more information contact:
Amy Spencer, amy@richmondartcenter.org
Images (top to bottom): Flower arrangement class, c. 1930s, from the early WPA-era programs that led to the founding of Richmond Art Center; Richmond Art Center’s main entrance at its Civic Center facility in downtown Richmond; A recent painting class taught by Ned Axthelm.
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