Review: Art in the Community This Year

Posted on June 25, 2018

This year, our Art in the Community program (AIC) worked with a total of 48 student groups in ongoing arts learning

experiences, as well as holding a weekly drop-in class at the Richmond Public Library, engaging over 1700 students. In collaboration with the WCCUSD office of expanded learning, we provided after-school art classes in eight local elementary schools and two middle schools.

In its fourth year, our school-wide spring residency at Washington elementary focused on printmaking, mixed media and fibers/weaving. Half of our partnerships occur in non-traditional learning spaces which include local nonprofits, City of Richmond community centers, and housing-affiliated community centers.

This year Art Center staff and teaching artists shared strategies for artmaking with 40 elementary school teachers through our Bring Art to Your Classroom professional development workshop series. Strategies for artmaking that were explored during our workshops emphasize teaching practices that build ownership of artistic processes and skills, comfort with problem-solving/ leadership thinking, reflection, and self expression.

This spring, AIC partnered with Korematsu Middle School to kick of our first class exploring the world of 3D model and design! During the semester students worked with teaching artist Vince De Jesus to learn drawing and design applications in 3D modeling. Students spent the semester conceptualizing sculptural themes and translated their designs into an array of 3D printed objects.

This year’s 6th annual Art in the Community Show, Richmond Creates, highlighted work created via partnerships with 20 local satellite sites. The artists shown here range from ages 5 to 85. For many, this was their first structured arts learning experience. This exhibition showcases work made in a variety of media; printmaking, sculpture, animation, weaving, painting, ceramics and mixed media. The talented teaching artists facilitating these classes are dedicated to sharing the joy and power of the creative process!