The Richmond Art Center began in 1936 with the vision of one woman, WPA artist Hazel Salmi, who was devoted to sharing her love of art with the community. Today, we continue her legacy by bringing high quality art-making experiences to young people and families across Richmond and neighboring cities through our Art in the Community program (AIC.)
AIC serves over 1,700 students each year in 12 public schools, six community centers, the Latina Center, the Richmond Public Library, Youth Enrichment Strategies Family Camps and more. We make our popular STEAM (science, technology, engineering, ART and math) camps free to low-income students, and over 2,800 school children have participated in tours of the Art Center free of charge. Additionally, we hold workshops for teaching artists to help integrate STEAM into their art instruction and offer two professional development workshops for more local teachers to integrate the visual arts into their core curriculum.
Part of our work at the Art Center is to ensure that art making, learning and creative exploration is accessible to all members of our community. Your donation to the Art Center allows us to continue growing and expanding this important work, and enables us to keep AIC making art in OUR community.
About the interviews: Richmond Art Center is fortunate and proud to work with a diverse and growing number of artists and teachers who engage with our students at the Art Center as well as in our local communities. We want to share some of these wonderful people with you, to inspire your own artistic path, take a class, or learn more. See all of our interviews here.
In this interview, meet Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, our Studio Education Coordinator.
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles. She received her BFA from California College of the Arts in Oakland and San Francisco, specializing in printmaking. Branfman-Verissimo has had solo exhibitions at E.M. Wolfman in Oakland and Bolivar Gallery in Los Angeles. She has also exhibited and performed work at Osaka Art University, Highways performance space, Miles Memorial Playhouse, Southern Exposure and the Berkeley Art Museum. Branfman-Verissimo was the 2015 Yozo Hamaguchi fellow at Kala Institute in Berkeley, is the co-founder of the seven-week long, cross-country artist residency, Rooted America, and is founder and lead curator at Nook Gallery in Oakland. You can see her work at http://www.lukazabranfman-verissimo.com
Q. What do you find most inspiring about working at the Richmond Art Center?
The interdisciplinary nature in which the center runs, and the continually transforming ways we work together. I find special joy and inspiration in working and collaborating with the Art in the Community Department, always learning from each other and developing new approaches and ways to look at the craft of teaching art.
I also love being surrounded by art making all day long! Being able to walk into the ceramics classroom and watch someone throw a vessel and then to the printmaking shop and see a student peel back a print from the etching press, then to walk into our exhibition space and see our community soaking up the art.
I look forward to more overlap and connection of programs and the growth of this great place!
Q. How did you become involved with the Art Center?
I first found out about the Richmond Art Center through the Rosie’s Girls program, a national camp based on the history and legacy of the Rosie the Riveter figure during the WWII era. The camp was created to empower Middle School/early High School aged girls through the study of women’s history, self expression, as well as art and trade skills, including carpentry, welding, firefighting, plumbing and auto mechanics. I was a Rosie’s Girl throughout my middle and high school years. Many years later, having stayed in touch with the national program, the Richmond branch of the camp asked me to be a visiting artist. It was there that I facilitated a women’s empowerment “wooden book” project and had the pleasure of travelling to the Richmond Art Center with the camp. I love to think about the many unexpected places in which our lives cross paths, and Richmond Art Center is certainly one of those places in my life.
Q. What was your path to becoming an artist? Please share some of your favorite work.
I have always made art, from painting in my childhood kitchen, to my parent’s ongoing support to continue making and from participating in every museum art camp in Los Angeles to my decision to attend art school. I include my incredible experiences at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s summer art camp in Los Angeles, side by side with my work at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, as well as studying printmaking at California College of the Arts and my first post-grad solo show in Los Angeles. My path has been, and continues to be, influenced by the many communities and histories that surround me, the experiences I collect under my belt, the people I meet and the places I visit. The archive that I have stored in my mind and in boxes and boxes in my studio, are creating this path for me.
Video: TRACES, the stories of 22 objects, wrapped and read aloud by Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, April 2015
Q. Who are your inspirations?
So many inspirations and people/ideas that have influenced my work!
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not at the Art Center?
When I am not coordinating the Studio program, I am doing multiple things. I am working late into the night in my studio, making prints, sculptures, objects that archive, collecting stories that become sculptures or drawings, dunking everything in blue. I am reading books and checking out books from my local public library. I am curating and organizing shows in the gallery that I founded in my house, supporting contemporary artists and fresh ideas. I am exhibiting my work locally and nationally, creating performances that tell stories, map places, create community. I am going to marches and being influenced by the politics and activism around me – the Black Lives Matter work and the fight for fair teacher wages. I am spending time in the natural world, painting the sky and taking in the beauty of the bay Area.
Q. What’s on your bucket list?
Over the summer of 2015, I organized and designed a countrywide mobile artist residency, studying and meeting artists/ communities/ projects that make work within their community. Making meals, dancing, creating prints and collecting stories in community members backyards, houses and schools (for more info: rootedamerica.tumblr.com). I would like to do a similar project but on a larger global style. Spending time in several different countries, getting to know artist communities on a larger level.
Q. If you could meet one artist, living or not, who would it be and why?
Louise Bourgeois. I am a huge fan of her delicate drawings/embroideries, large scale sculptural work, creation of environments and beautiful journals. The versatility of her work and the effect her work has on the viewer, emotionally and physically. It would be a dream come true to soak up all her brilliance, while spending time in her messy New York studio!
Thank you, Lukaza.
Slideshow image captions:
1: traces 1, monotype,collagraph, screen print, great grandma sonia’s fabric scraps, desert branches, rope, paper tape, wood, treasures, cherry wood, nails, cassette tapes, wire, pigment from death valley, palm tree bark, titus canyon rock, milagros, 2015; 2: traces 1, monotype,collagraph, screen print, great grandma sonia’s fabric scraps, desert branches, rope, paper tape, wood, treasures, cherry wood, nails, cassette tapes, wire, pigment from death valley, palm tree bark, titus canyon rock, milagros, 2015; 3: a performance that preserves stories, 22 stories, objects, mixed media, 2015; 4: inkwell, indigo dyed santa monica newspaper, historial photos, monotype, watercolor, plastic bags, sand from inkwell beach in santa monica, ca, a blue horizon/dividing line; 5: Rooted America, image from a printmaking workshop at Project Row Houses, Houston, TX; 6: untitled (2), monotype, 2015-2016; 7: story collecting: two-hour sessions, in which the artist will collect community stories about speaking out. with the guidance of the storyteller, the artist will turn the stories into sculptural objects that will then remain on display as part of the exhibition. the sculptures will be returned to the storyteller at the end of the show. tell me a story. 8 hours of listening, 35 stories, mixed media, 2015-2016; 8: places of home, 270 screen printed postcards, metal postcard rack, 2015 the public was invited to take a postcard home; 9: traces 2, monotype, collagraph, chine colle, wrapped packages, 2015
June opens the door to summer, and a joining together in art and community. Celebrate this month by spending time with us at the Art Center: take a class or visit our new gallery exhibitions that open with a reception on Saturday, June 11 at 5:00 pm. Summer exhibitions include our Annual Members Show, which features the work of over 100 local artists and members, Terry St. John: Close Views & Distant Vistas, and the juried show Our Town—all reinforcing an important view of locality and community. And for members, you have an opportunity to vote on our next Board members at the annual meeting held on Saturday, June 11 at 4:00 pm.
Summer is also the time we close out our books and say goodbye to fiscal year 2016. This year has seen a tremendous amount of growth in our award-winning Studio Education, Exhibition, and Art in the Community programs. We’re so proud to have served over 2,000 children in the West Contra Costa Unified School District and thousands of youth and adult students here at the Center. Help us close out our fiscal year in the green by supporting us with a donation this month. Stay tuned for more information about our “Art Bank: Invest in Art Futures!” week-long campaign, and as always, your support is greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing you at the Art Center on the 11th.
ANNOUNCEMENT
RICHMOND ART CENTER MEMBERS MEETING AND BOARD ELECTION
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
The Richmond Art Center’s annual members meeting will be held at the Art Center (Painting Studio) at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to elect 6 members to the Board of Directors of the Art Center.
Ballots will be available and must be submitted between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. at the front desk at the Art Center. All members are eligible to vote and at least twenty must vote for the election to be valid.
Executive Director Ric Ambrose will provide an update on the Art Center’s accomplishments of the past year and plans for the next year. The meeting will be followed by the reception for the summer exhibits at 5:00 p.m.
The Board has set the number of directors for fiscal year 2016-2017 at 17 members.
We’re in the midst of prepping our galleries for our Summer Exhibitions and look forward to seeing you all when we reopen the galleries to the public on June 11. Our workshops and classes will still be in progress. See you for the Summer shows soon!
On May 21, the Richmond Art Center hosted the Contra Costa Racial Justice Coalition community meeting, “Priorities for Racial Justice in Contra Costa County.” This Town Hall meeting to discuss priorities for Racial Justice in Contra Costa County. Great ideas were shared on the criminal justice system, housing and transitional housing, education for youth & job trainings, health, mental health & substance treatment. Introductions on behalf of the Richmond Art Center were presented by our Art in the Community Coordinator Cristina Haley and our Deputy Director Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez. The event was organized by Tamisha Torres of the Safe Return Project and Claudia Jiminez of Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organizations (CCISCO). Supervisor John Gioia and a representative from Congressman Mark Desaulnier’s office joined as well.
Participants discussed the County’s new task force to make the county’s criminal justice system more just and equitable, removing racial bias, and the importance of community advocacy to advance these issue. About 50 community and religious leaders came to learn about the County’s budget and brainstorm priorities that match the community’s needs.
The breakout groups met in our studios. We were pleased to note that some attendees had never been at our Center and remarked on what a beautiful space it was.
Images courtesy of Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez and Healthy Richmond.
THE RICHMOND ART CENTER ANNOUNCES THREE COMPANION EXHIBITIONS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMMING
RICHMOND, CA — MAY 19, 2016 — From June 12 – August 26, 2016, the Richmond Art Center features three distinctive exhibitions in its summer programming: Terry St. John: Close Views & Distant Vistas, the Annual Members Exhibition, and the juried show Our Town. In conjunction with the exhibitions, the Art Center will offer several free public programs including a series of artists’ talks. The opening reception for all three exhibitions will take place at the Art Center on Saturday, June 11 from 5 to 7pm.
In the SOUTH GALLERY—TERRY ST. JOHN: CLOSE VIEWS & DISTANT VISTAS
This exhibition gives the viewer a deep look into the studio life of Bay Area painter Terry St. John. Building figures formed from the air that surrounds them in a space that expands, contracts, and at times, merges with the body, these works present a profound exploration of light and shadow. Maintaining strong ties to Bay Area traditions, St. John has pursued a visual journey investigating his personal view of our world. As represented in his vigorous practice, the paint itself brings forth body or bay, house or hill. The Terry St. John Artist Talk will take place on Saturday, June 18, from noon to 2 pm and is free to the public.
In the MAIN AND WEST GALLERIES: ANNUAL MEMBERS EXHIBITION
The Annual Members Exhibition shares the sights and textures of the diverse work of the Art Center’s members. Four spotlight artists have been invited to exhibit in greater depth: Francesca Borgatta, Susan Spann, John Wehrle, and Erin M. Wheeler. The Members Spotlight talk will take place on Saturday, June 25 from noon to 2 pm and is free to the public.
In the COMMUNITY GALLERY: OUR TOWN
While reflecting on the 80th Anniversary at the Richmond Art Center, the open call for Our Town asked for views, impressions and thoughts on what makes a place unique, what gives a place its identity, what meaning can be drawn from an experience, association, or memory. Gallerist Jack Fischer juried the submissions to conjure a panorama of our town, your town, a better town.
Images (top to bottom):
Terry St. John, Model in Red, oil on canvas, 2014
Rik Ritchey, Refugio Bay Apocalypse V, Acrylic, collage, oil on paper, 2015
John Werle, Trout Chair, For my father, painted wood, found chair, 2013
About the Richmond Art Center: The Richmond Art Center is the largest visual arts center in the East Bay, delivering exciting arts experiences to over 20,000 visitors, students and artists who reflect the diverse richness of our community. The Art Center features hands-on learning, well-equipped studios, traveling Art in the Community programs and contemporary exhibitions in its galleries.
Every year, the Richmond Art Center serves thousands of students through classes and programs taught by professional artists, both onsite at the Art Center and at sites throughout Richmond. The Art Center’s four galleries mount rotating exhibitions that display the works of emerging and established Bay Area artists. Artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, Jay DeFeo, Wanxin Zhang, David Park, Mildred Howard, Hung Liu, Bella Feldman and Peter Voulkos have been showcased here.
The Richmond Art Center originated in 1936, when local artist Hazel Salmi, who worked for the WPA, traversed the streets of Richmond with a suitcase packed with art supplies, eager to teach art to anyone interested. Today, everything at the Art Center continues to breathe life into Salmi’s original vision: That within every person lives an artist.
Please visit the Richmond Art Center’s website https://richmondartcenter.org for a full detail of activities and events relating to these exhibitions.
Contact:
Jessica Parker, Communications/Marketing Director jparker@richmondartcenter.org 510-620-6780
We’re finalists in both the Parent’s Press Best of the Bay AND Best of Oakland Magazine 2016.
Please Vote for the Richmond Art Center!
Final Round Voting ends May 31!
Thank you for your first round of votes; with your help we made it to the final round! Please take a moment to cast your vote in this final round for both of the following publications! Parent’s Press: We are finalists for the following categories in West Contra Costa County!
1. Best Art Camp
2. Best Classes and Enrichment (Art)
3. Best Enrichment and AfterSchool programs
4. Best Place to Entertain a Teen
Best of Oakland Magazine 2016: We are finalists in the Best Art Classes category!
Today, everything we do at the Richmond Art Center continues to breathe life into our founder Hazel Salmi’s original vision: That within every person lives an artist. Join the largest visual arts center in the East Bay and help us bring arts experiences to people of all ages.
We’re hiring!
We have two amazing opportunities in our Jewelry and Metals department! Please check them out:
Attention artists! The Richmond Art Center is hosting an event for interested teaching artists professionals to join our growing team. Please mark your calendar for June 4 from 11am – 1pm to meet our staff and learn more about the teaching opportunities associated with the Art Center.
Dear Art Center supporters,
