Summer Art Camp for Kids – a few spots left!
Summer Art Camp for Kids
Need camp? We have a few spots left this summer in camps focusing on zine-making, animation and more!
Inspired by Toshiko Takaezu
Inspired by Toshiko Takaezu
Last week in the “Women in Ceramics” class, students drew inspiration from the renowned artist Toshiko Takaezu. They created hollow orbs using Takaezu’s technique of paddling large closed-form pots until they achieved a “rounder than round” shape.
Further emulating Takaezu’s approach, the students then suspended their work in hammocks outside in the courtyard. (Local sculptor John Roeder’s statue looked on.)
Takaezu said of her work, “People ask, why are you doing the same thing? So I usually try to tell them I’m trying to get a perfect piece. And what is a perfect piece? And if I had it would I know it? And I’m sure I’ve gotten some that are perfect, and yet I don’t want to admit that because then I would stop. So I keep on saying “I’m going to make a perfect piece.” And that’s what I’m striving for.”
Thank you, Toshiko Takaezu, for inspiring us to keep striving also.
“Women in Ceramics” is taught by artist Colleen Garland @colleenandclay. There are a few spots left in Garland’s “Evening Handbuilding” class starting on June 13.
In Memoriam: Michael Stephens, Brilliant Grant Writer to Many
In Memoriam: Michael Stephens
With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Michael Stephens, a grant-writing extraordinaire whose wit, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to nonprofits enriched the lives of many. Michael passed away peacefully last week in Oregon, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades and touches countless people.
A longtime resident of Point Richmond, Michael’s career in grant writing spanned nearly 50 years. His expertise and passion for the arts were evident in his work with the Taos, NM Museum, Cal Shakes, The Berkeley Rep, Stagebridge, Opera Parallele, and Richmond Art Center, to name just a few. His efforts were instrumental in securing funding for these organizations during extremely challenging times.
I had the pleasure of working closely with Michael at Stagebridge and Richmond Art Center, where his presence was indispensable. His brilliance shone through in his work, but it was his humor and lovable curmudgeon ways that endeared him to all who knew him.
Michael is survived by his son and grandchildren in Austin, Texas. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. As we reflect on his life and legacy, let us remember Michael for the laughter, light, and love he brought into the world of nonprofits and all who benefited from it. Rest in peace, dear friend.
José Rivera, Executive Director
Top image: Michael Stephens (right) with Sadie Harmon
Win a free class!! 2024 Membership Drive
Win a free class!!
During our 2024 Membership Drive, we’re hosting a class giveaway. Five randomly selected individuals will win a free class of their choice during the fall 2024 semester.*
HOW TO ENTER:
- Sign up or renew as a Richmond Art Center member in either May or June 2024 to enter.
- Already a member? No worries. Any donation over $40 made during May or June 2024 will also automatically enter you into the drawing.
Winners will be announced in July 2024!
*TERMS: Members who join or renew in May or June 2024, as well as donors who contribute over $40 during May or June 2024, are eligible to win. Winners to be announced in July 2024. Winners must redeem their free class during the fall 2024 semester. Classes are available until full. Not applicable to workshops.
Richmond Art Center is looking for new Board members
Join Our Board
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.
Read Richmond Art Center’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Who We Are Looking For
- 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
Free Summer Classes for Youth
Make Art with Us this Summer!
Free Art Classes for Teens and Young Adults
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.
- USE THIS FORM TO APPLY
AVAILABLE CLASSES
S.P.O.T.S Mural Program
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. Los Artistas Maestros hablan español.
Schedule: June-July (with intro session in May)
3D Printing Workshop
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.
Schedule: June (four sessions)
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.
Schedule: July-August
Digital Narrative: Short Stories for Film
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.
Schedule: July-August
Glass Beads and More!
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.
Schedule: July (four sessions)
Handbuilding with Clay
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.
Schedule: July-August
Richmond Artist Residency Program
Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 24, 2024, 11:59pm
Richmond Artist Residency – 2024 APPLICATION
Apply for the Richmond Artist Residency Program
Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 24, 2024, 11:59pm*
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.
New Classes this Spring!
New Classes this Spring!
Check out these new classes coming to our studios this spring.
Stitch by Stitch
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.
Tuesdays, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Apr 9 – May 14
A Painter’s Process
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.
Tuesdays, 1pm-4pm, Apr 9 – May 28
Knit a Fair Isle Hat!
If you can knit rib stitch and decrease, then you can learn how to decorate hats with fun, repeating patterns!
Fridays, 10am-12pm, Mar 29-Apr 5
Bezel Ring Making with Silver & Stone
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.
Fridays, 10:30am-1:30pm, Mar 29 – May 3
Still Life Watercolor Painting
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.
Saturdays, 10am-12pm, Apr 6 – May 11
Go Wild! African Animals in Mixed Media
Let your creative juices “go wild” using mixed media such as colored pencil, pastel pencils, water soluble pencils, and more.
Thursdays, 10am-12:30pm, Apr 25 – May 30
Metal Forming Basics
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!
Wednesdays, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Mar 27 – May 1
Call for Student Art! Exhibition Opportunity
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).
