If you are passionate about art and the community then joining our board might be for you!
Richmond Art Center’s board plays an important role in supporting and guiding the organization. Different individual board members bring different experience, skills, knowledge and connections to their Board work.
People who live and/or work in Richmond, who are community-minded and thoughtful about how Richmond Art Center could better serve the community in and around Richmond
Artists and others who know and love Richmond Art Center
People with accounting/bookkeeping expertise with the potential to serve on the board finance committee and/or as board teasurer
A lawyer (for the general knowledge and issue-spotting ability lawyers tend to have)
People who can help us raise money for Richmond Art Center
Leaders with the potential to be board vice president and president in the future
What can you expect?
Board members attend board meetings (mostly held via Zoom, sometimes in-person), act as ambassadors at select evening and weekend events, give of their expertise and wisdom and make a personal financial contribution to the extent that they can. A Board member’s term is three years, with a two-term limit. Service on the Board of Directors is unpaid.
To volunteer / apply:
Contact jose@richmondartcenter.org who will forward to the chair of the board nominations committee.
A CV/resumé/brief bio would be appreciated but is not necessary.
Top image: Eli Africa’s interactive mural in the WCCUSD Student Art Show 2024
About the Program: The Youth Artist Xchange is a series of free summer intensive classes. The program gives middle and high school students, as well as young adults (up to 24 years), in-depth, hands-on arts learning experiences in our studios led by professional artists.
How to Join:
Available classes are listed below (click the LEARN MORE button to see the class schedules)
Prospective students are invited to complete a short online application to let us know their arts interests and class preferences.
Learn how public art is a powerful tool for community building. A cohort of twelve young artists (ages 14-24) will create a collaborative mural project with artists Fred Alvarado and Keena Azania Romano.
Learn the art of sound design and different ways you can apply it! All materials and tools are included and provided by the studio. This class is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
In this class, you’ll learn how designers and artists use 3D modeling software (CAD programs) to turn their ideas into physical realities like art, cars, jewelry, buildings, toys, tools and more! Using the online program Tinkercad, you will learn how to model in 3D and print your own ideas using a 3D printer! What will you create? All materials and tools are included. This class is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
Dreams of Liberated Futures: A Zine & Printmaking Series
An intensive six-week summer class (with 12 sessions) for 8-12 youth (ages 14-24) that combines hands-on visual arts learning with storytelling. Taught by artist Shani Ealey, the class is rooted in traditional African Indigenous wisdom to provide inspiration for students to explore visual storytelling through zinemaking. Students will then develop illustration and storyboarding skills through the creation of zines as a way to express their ideas, especially related to complicated concepts such as liberation, power, and our connection to the earth.
Learn the art of storytelling through filmmaking! Participants will explore the language of creating visual narratives using professional filmmaking processes. From storyboarding and directing to shooting and editing, students will gain hands-on experience in crafting their own short movies. All materials and tools are included. This class is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
Do you love glass beads? Ever wonder how they’re made? Join us and get started making your own glass beads! Students will receive an overview of glass history, safety, and technology. They will then get to explore how to sculpt, manipulate and finish the media using professional glassworking tools. Class time is balanced with safety procedures, demonstrations, and plenty of time for hands-on work. All materials included.
Learn how to sculpt your creative vision in clay as functional and nonfunctional ceramic art. Students will learn foundational handbuilding techniques like making coils, slab construction, to more technical skills from clay pinching methods to glaze application and how to finish your artwork. All materials and tools are included. This is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
We’re excited to announce, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the second iteration of the Richmond Artist Residency program!
About the Residency: The Richmond Art Residency (RAR) will support an emerging or mid-career artist to pursue their creative work while also engaging with the community in Richmond. Residency activities include a dedicated studio space for 8-months, and opportunities to teach, exhibit, take classes, and learn best practices for community-based arts programming. The selected RAR artist will receive a $8,000 stipend, plus competitive hourly rates for any teaching time.
If accepted, studio access hours will be determined based on facility operation hours. We recommend that the artist be prepared to commit at least 10-20 hours a week to get the most out of the program.
Program Overview:
Artist Stipend: $8,000 (plus hourly pay for any teaching time)
Duration of Residency: Eight months (October 2024 – May 2025)
Discipline: Visual Art
Facilities Access:
Dedicated Studio: Light-filled 250 square foot private studio equipped with a worktable, storage, chair and sink
Communal studios: Access to RAC’s shared visual arts studios and equipment, including the painting studio, ceramics studio, textiles studio, printmaking studio, metals studio (during pre-approved times)
Eligibility / Who Should Apply: The residency is open to emerging, mid-career and underrepresented Bay Area artists who work in all visual art disciplines. Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Mandarin applicants, as well as applicants with a connection to Richmond, are especially encouraged to apply. A key tenet of the residency is for the artist to learn best practices for engaging with the community as artists and/or teaching artists, so we encourage artists with experience or strong interest in learning best practices in arts education to apply!
Residency Activities:
PRIVATE STUDIO / PERSONAL CREATIVE PRACTICE: The RAR artist will have access to a light-filled 250 square foot private studio equipped with a worktable, storage, chair and sink. The artist will have their own key and can access the studio during daylight hours. They also have access to RAC’s shared/communal visual arts studios and equipment (during pre-approved times).
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT / TEACHING ACTIVITIES: With support from RAC program staff (Education and Exhibitions) the RAR artist will develop a community engagement strategy to lead art-making opportunities with the community.
STUDIO SKILL BUILDING: The RAR artist is invited to take classes at RAC to develop new skills and multidisciplinary practice. Studio focuses are Jewelry & Metal Arts, Printmaking, Ceramics, Fiber Art, Glass Arts and Painting/Drawing/Mixed Media. The RAR artist will have access to technical equipment and support in each studio from training Teaching Artists.
EXHIBITION / PUBLIC PROGRAM (OPTIONAL): Within the first quarter (2 months) of the residency the artist can determine if they would like to work towards an exhibition or public presentation of their work at RAC. The exhibition may include recent work or work made during the residency. The RAR artist is encouraged to invite community collaborators to participate if appropriate.
Application Review Process: A selection committee of community professionals and Richmond Art Center staff will review all applications based on the criteria: Artistic Merit, Community Connection, and Potential (to benefit from the residency). Finalist candidates will be invited to participate in short zoom meetings to discuss the residency opportunity. Selected candidate will be determined by the end of June 2024.
Contact us at admin@richmondartcenter.org with questions!
About Richmond Art Center: Richmond Art Center’s mission is to be a catalyst in Richmond for learning and living through art. Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating with community since 1936. Our programs encompass art classes, exhibitions and events at our facility in downtown Richmond, as well as off-site activities that bring free art making experiences to district schools and community partners.
*The deadline to apply for this residency is Friday, May 24, 2024. Unfortunately a flyer was printed with an incorrect deadline on it, we apologize if this has caused confusion. May 24 is the correct deadline. – RAC Staff, 3/1/24
Top Image: The Richmond Artist Residency was launched in 2022 with Liberación Gráfica as artists-in-residence.
In this introductory embroidery methods, students will learn basic stitches, techniques for interpreting imagery into textiles, and create a self-portrait for their final project.
If you are looking for community in your art making process, join us in the studio. Students will work on your own projects with the support of the instructor and the feedback of the other artists in the class.
Learn how to set a gemstone in a classic bezel setting. Instructor will demo creating a bezel, different seat options, adding the band and then setting the stone. Students will then design and create their own rings.
Create compelling, original still-life compositions building on foundational skills developed in the Beginning Watercolor class. We will learn how to paint light and shadow to create the illusion of volume, apply color theory to mix colors and practice the basic rules of perspective.
In this class we explore the foundational techniques of metal forming. We will learn how to use drawplates, the rolling mill, chasing and repoussé, press plates and how to use our a 20 ton press!
Have Your Work Featured in the Spring Student Showcase
All media! All levels of experience! No entry fees!
Deadline to Enter: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 11:59pm
Exhibition Dates: April 10 – June 14, 2024
About the Exhibition: Presented in the Community Gallery, the Student Showcase is a juried show of artwork by current and recent Richmond Art Center students. 6 to 12 artists will have their work selected for the exhibition, with an emphasis on presenting multiple pieces (2+) by the same artist to demonstrate students working in series and diving deeper into their chosen media or themes. Artworks will be selected by Richmond Art Center staff using the criteria: Artist Excellence and Diversity of Media/Themes.
Eligibility: All students who have taken a class or workshop at Richmond Art Center in the past three years are eligible to enter. Entries may include work done in a RAC class, or work completed over a period of time in response to techniques, processes or themes a student explored in a class at Richmond Art Center. All artwork media and sizes will be considered. See Terms at bottom of this webpage for more info.
Exhibition Schedule:
Deadline to Enter: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 11:59pm
Artist Notification: By Monday, March 11, 2024
Artwork Drop Off: Saturday, March 16, 10am-1pm OR Monday, March 18, 10am-1pm
Exhibition Dates: Wednesday, April 10 – Friday, June 14, 2024
Reception: Thursday, April 18, 5pm-7pm
Artwork Pick Up: Saturday, June 15, 10am-1pm
Prepare Your Artwork Submission:
Artwork submissions must be original work created in 2021 or later
Students may submit minimum 1, and up to 4 artworks images, for consideration for the exhibition
Image files should be jpgs or pngs with a maximum 1 MB file size
Include caption information for each artwork image (title, year, media, dimensions)
*TERMS: Selection: Entry does not guarantee selection for the exhibition. Installation Ready: Selected artworks should be installation ready with any hanging hardware attached (rods, hanging wire, d-rings, etc.), and labeled with artists full name on the back/underneath. Work on paper should be framed or mounted. Artwork Delivery: Selected artwork must be delivered to Richmond Art Center during scheduled drop off dates: Saturday, March 16, 10am-1pm OR Monday, March 18, 10am-1pm. Artwork Pick Up: All artworks must be picked up on the scheduled day: Saturday, June 15, 10am-1pm (unless artwork is sold).
Art of the African Diaspora Artistic Achievement Award Winners Announced
Every year three Art of the African Diaspora artists receive Artistic Achievement Awards to have their work featured at Richmond Art Center. This year at the opening reception for the exhibition the 2024 awardees were announced: Carrie Lee McClish, Deborah Butler and Kim Champion. Congratulations to these three artists!
Don’t forget to check out the work by last year’s winners – John Broussard, Valerie Brown-Troutt, and Stacy Mootoo – currently on view in the West Gallery.
Top image (l-r): Carrie Lee McClish, Deborah Butler and Kim Champion
Richmond Art Center staff are deeply saddened by the news of artist Hilda Robinson passing on December 27, 2023. Hilda was a joyful presence at so many Richmond Art Center exhibitions and events. She will be deeply missed.
Hilda Robinson was a beloved artist whose vivid pastels captured joy, love of family, and community in celebrations of life. Hilda grew up in Philadelphia and as a young adult studied painting at the Tyler School of Fine Arts at Temple University. She later completed her BA and MA studies in art at UC Berkeley.
“My mom was a quiet, humble observer who enjoyed her life to the fullest, while documenting each moment in sketch books that later became paintings,” says her daughter Ramona. “She wanted the observers of her art to know her story, and that of her family, while also being reminded of their stories, their families, their friends, the people they admire, the places where they grew up, and the places where they currently live.”
Hilda Robinson was one of the longest participating artists in The Art of Living Black/Art of the African Diaspora. She was deeply connected to the founders and would fondly recall her friendship with Rae Louise Hayward. In 2000, Hilda received the Jan Hart Schuyers Award for Artistic Achievement, and had her work featured in The Art of Living Black in 2001.
Hilda’s artwork has garnered national acclaim, with exhibitions at prestigious galleries like J. Latham Gallery in New York, New York, and a solo show at Art Vision in South Bend, Indiana to name a few. She was also very generous in sharing her artwork in her community at local art institutions and galleries. In 2013, Hilda presented a solo exhibition featuring illustrations from her children’s book, “Didn’t We Have Fun!,” at Richmond Art Center. Her diverse portfolio now resides in both private and public collections, adorning numerous locations throughout the nation. Notably, her creations hold a significant presence in the Alameda County Arts Commission’s Public Art Collection and were recently showcased in The de Young Museum Open 2023.
Hilda was beloved in this community and her vivacious enthusiasm for art and life will be missed, but her beautiful artwork will continue to inspire us all.
We did it! With support from you and you and you, we’re happy to announce that we reached our End-of-Year Appeal fundraising goal and raised over $100,000.
Thank you to everyone who contributed.* We couldn’t do it without you!
Onwards 2024!
*Thank you gifts can be picked up from RAC on January 19 or 20, from 11am to 3pm.
This colorful pin depicts Andrée Singer Thompson’s preparatory sketch for her epic sculpture, ‘Guillermo the Golden Trout’. Wear it & show your big fish pride!
500 available
Donation Level 2: $60
Water Bottle
This large stainless bolt bottle (24 oz.) speaks the truth for all RAC students: “I make my art in Richmond”. The perfect accessory to take to your next art class.
60 available
Donation Level 3: $100
T-Shirt & Guillermo Pin
RAC t-shirt with design by Shannon Abac. 100% cotton. Sizes S-2XL available. Soft & lightweight. Style it with a Guillermo Pin!
75 available
Donation Level 4: $300
Moleskin Sketchbook, Tote & Pencil
RAC Moleskine sketchbook (Black, 8.25″ x 5″) and pencil. Plus a tote (with design by Francisco Rojas) to keep them in! The perfect portable package for capturing sketches in the studio or on the move.
