Contra Costa County Health officers today issued an extension of a previous stay-at-home order through Sunday, May 3. Read the press release HERE.
In alignment with the recommendations of Contra Costa County Health Services (CCHS) and the new stay at-home orders for six Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa County, the Richmond Art Center will be closed to the public through Sunday, May 3, 2020.
In alignment with the recommendations of Contra Costa County Health Services (CCHS) and the new shelter-in-place orders for six Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa County, the Richmond Art Center will be closed to the public through Tuesday, April 7.
As you may have heard, public safety warnings have been issued for Bay Area counties to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. Please be assured that we here at the Richmond Art Center are monitoring the situation carefully and are preparing for any potential impact. Should we need to temporarily close, any class scheduled for that day will be rescheduled for a make-up session at the end of season.
Richmond, CA, February 6, 2020 – The renowned Richmond Art Center announced today it has opened its search for a new Executive Director. The search will be led by an Executive Director Search Committee comprised of members of the Board of Directors and Richmond Art Center staff.
As you may have heard, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for several Bay Area counties, which could initiate a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff in the next 24 hours. While Richmond is listed as one of the cities possibly affected, current maps on the PG&E site show us as in the clear. That could change at any time however, so we want to prepare you just in case! Should the power be out, we will unfortunately need to close the Art Center for that day. Any classes scheduled for that day will be rescheduled for a make-up session at the end of season.
We will be tracking the status of the blackouts carefully, but most likely we will only know if the power will be out after the fact. The Contra Costa County site is providing alerts and maps of affected areas HERE. PG&E is also updating maps of affected areas, such as THIS ONE. You can refer to these sites for more information, or you can call our Front Desk at 510-620-6772. If luck is with us, we will have power and you will reach a person or at least our voice mail. If we are closed due to no power, your call will go straight to the automated attendant system.
We will do all we can to keep you apprised of the situation. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time!
We are excited to announce that Jos Sances‘ Or, the Whale is scheduled to appear at locations across California, Massachusetts and Kansas starting this month. Sances’ impressive life size scratchboard drawing of a sperm whale drew large crowds to the Richmond Art Center when it was featured in the fall exhibition Here is the Sea (check out the press from this show). Now audiences across America will have the opportunity to experience this epic work. See the touring schedule below.
Posters for sale! Would you like your own copy of Or, the Whale? Starting in October the Richmond Art Center will be selling high resolution posters of the piece. These limited edition posters are printed on archival quality paper and each copy is signed by the artist. The unframed poster is six feet long and available for $200. A display copy of the poster will be on view at the front desk at the Richmond Art Center for the next six months. Come and see the amazing detail illustrating the history of capitalism in America that Jos Sances’ embeds within the body of the whale!
We are pleased to announce the Richmond Art Center was recently awarded three program grants from the California Arts Council totaling $47,000. This fall, we will provide free field trips to 1500 Richmond elementary students, guided tours of current exhibitions and art-creation workshops at the Richmond Art Center.
In addition, we will expand our in-school and after-school art programs in Richmond schools this upcoming school year. The awards are an indication of the quality of Richmond Art Center community programs and value of arts as an essential component in youth education.
Members, students, teachers, artists, and donors – all enjoyed the second annual Party Richmond celebration of art and art lovers on Saturday, April 13! (See our Facebook album for pictures from the event!)
Each year Richmond Art Center honors three organizations and individuals who have contributed generously to the long-term wellbeing of RAC. This year those three included the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation, Betty Ann and Ray Barnett, and Hilda Robinson. We are honored to count these three as friends and supporters of RAC over many years.
After the awards ceremony, the crowd gathered for our live auction featuring art works by Peter Voulkos, Claire Falkenstein, Ed Penniman, Jos Sances, Rudolph Serra, Fred Alvarado, Stephen Bruce, and Randy Strong. In addition, unique opportunities to go salmon fishing on the Feather River, fly over the Bay Area in a private plane, travel to Santa Fe, enjoy a champagne party at RAC, and or take personal painting class, complete with wine and hors d’oeuvres with Ric Ambrose, were auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The evening included entertainment by dancer Maggie Powers, magician David Hirata, and jazz guitarist Hideo Date. Los Moles of El Cerrito provided a broad sampling of their moles, with decadent desserts donated by Maria’s Gourmet Bakery in El Sobrante.
Many thanks to our sponsors Jacobs & Company, LLC, Mechanics Bank, Ellengale Toki and Owen Oakley, Susan and Stephen Chamberlin, Patricia Guthrie, and James Wheeler and Joyce Shon. And many, many thanks to the spectacular John Ziesenhenne, world famous auctioneer.
This year was our most successful auction ever! We raised more money than last year to support our scholarship program for youth and adults. Thanks for all of your help and for participating in this annual event. See you next year!!
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Images clockwise from top left: Jos Sance’s Or, the Whale; Marguerite Browne and Maggie Powers; guests participating in the live auction; and artist Hilda Robinson (center) with Karen Jeffrey Anthony and Denise Jeffrey
By Emaline Lubinger-Chavez (Pinole Valley High School)
The ability to create and share art has always been a huge part of community. From artists working together to create murals, to a shadowy figure in the night clinging to an overpass to get the graffiti just right. Fences made from street signs, a scribble on a bathroom mirror, a camera set to capture all these things that burn gold against the gray monotony. Some work is seen as vandalism, however, no place would be the same without the clashing colors splashed across bridges, walls, and boulevards.
Recently, the Richmond Art Center opened its doors to the beautiful chaos of art waiting just outside. Young artists from middle and high schools across western Contra Costa County took advantage of the space awaiting them and filled every inch of the Community and West Galleries. Paintings, photographs, sculptures and more almost overwhelm the eyes. Over 400 pieces cover the walls from floor to ceiling; each one a window into an artist’s life.
These sorts of spaces are incredibly important to young people today. As a certified young person, I can say that many of us struggle with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and general confusion. It’s like reading the back of a pill bottle. But art is a salve on the leaking wound of the soul. It calms and cools the raging fire within us and gives us space to think and reflect on life. The annual WCCUSD Student Art Show pushes kids to create art, which in turn pushes them to better understand themselves and the world around them.
I myself actually have a piece in the installation. A relatively small black and white photo, with words carved ruggedly into its surface, it stands out from the colorful almost piñata like masks above it. Across the way, the masks lock eyes with eerie portraits both painted and photographed. The contrast serves to show just how different everyone’s story is. And just how important it is that everyone’s story has a chance to be told.
We are all different. That is a simple fact of life. Art is how we express our differences. This installation provides a healthy and positive environment for young people to express themselves and be accepted as artists. For this, I am thankful.
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Top image: Elianna Moran, Over the Rainbow, 2019 (Pinole Valley High School, Grade 9). On view in 54th Annual WCCUSD Student Art Show, March 26 – April 24, 2019.
Join us for Party Richmond!
Awards and Fundraising Event
Saturday, April 13, 5:30 to 9:00 pm
Drinks & Dinner Hors d’Oeuvres, Awards, Live Auction, Entertainment
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Here are just a few of the wonderful live auction items that will be available at Party Richmond on Saturday. April 13:
Peter Voulkos, Got the Cobalt Blues, 1979, Lithograph, 44/200
Santa Fe Getaway, three nights at the Casa de los Arroyos
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1970, 18″x 24″
Fly fishing for two on the Feather River
Don’t forget that early bird picket prices for Party Richmond end in on Friday, March 15. Lock in the best and lowest ticket price by purchasing your event tickets now – onlineor by phone at 510-620-6580.
Plan now for a fun evening of art, live entertainment, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and seeing the Richmond Art Center in action!
Early bird price until March 15: $50 member/ $55 non-member
Tickets after March 15: $55 member/$60 non-member
Tickets at the door: $65
Doors open at 5:30 pm
5:30-7:00: Entertainment, food, & drink
7:00: Awards ceremony
7:30: Live auction
Proceeds from the event will go towards the support of the education programs of Richmond Art Center.
Get your tickets today.
For information about becoming a sponsor of this event,
please contact Catherine Millar, Director of Development
510.620.6780 | catherine@richmondartcenter.org
