Volunteer Profile: Teresa Philips

Posted on July 30, 2014

Teresa Philips
Administration, Exhibitions and Front Desk Assistant Volunteer
Volunteered over 600 hours since 2010!

What is your favorite thing about volunteering at the Richmond Art Center?
“The opportunity to be around so many positive people!”

Teresa Philips is a familiar and welcoming face at the Richmond Art Center, having volunteered over 600 hours over the past four years working both at the front desk, and in the exhibitions office helping to organize the Center’s archives.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Teresa moved to the East Bay in 1995 and now lives in Richmond Annex. In addition to her role at the Richmond Art Center, she studies business computing at East Bay Works, and also plays tennis. She began volunteering at the Richmond Art Center at the suggestion of a friend. “I was looking for a way to occupy my spare time,” says Teresa, “and my friend told me to check out the Richmond Art Center. I’m really glad I did. There is just a very positive energy here.”

As a front desk receptionist, Teresa gets to enjoy one of her favorite activities: greeting people. “I just love to meet new people,” she says. Not only that, she enjoys interacting with and learning from the staff members she interacts with.

Teresa also appreciates the art she sees at Richmond Art Center – one of her favorite artists is Oakland-based artist Hilda Robinson who has exhibited at the Richmond Art Center – “her portraits of children are so colorful and full of beauty.” Though she doesn’t consider herself to be an artist, she is starting to think seriously about taking some classes at the Center. “I think I would really like to try jewelry making”.

Thanks to volunteer Susan Arick for writing this volunteer profile!