Richmond Art Center
Richmond Art Center

Taking Liberties: Artist Talk & Print Demo 8/10/24

Taking Liberties: Artist Talk & Print Demo

Hear about the journeys from San Quentin Arts Studio to Art Hazelwood’s studio in Richmond, and to Diablo Valley College for live steamroller printing.

Saturday, August 10, 11am-1pm

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA

FREE

Join us for a conversation with JUST ARTISTS, a group of teaching artists and program alumni from the William James Association’s San Quentin Prison Arts Project. The artists will discuss their Taking Liberties print series, currently on view in the West Gallery.

Galleries open at 10am. Come early for an informal reception and to meet the artists. The program starts at 11am with an artist talk followed by a print demo.

JUST ARTISTS: Henry Frank, Nicola Bucci, Gary Harrell, Isiah Daniels, Felix Lucero, Katya McCulloch, Beth Thielen, Art Hazelwood

Richmond Art Center Parking and Entrance Map

Event Panelists:

Henry Frank is a descendant of the great indigenous nations of the Yurok and Pomo Tribes. He is a returning resident, former Arts In Corrections participant/clerk, and currently working for the William James Association as the Communications Director and Teaching Artist at California Medical Facility (CMF). He uses his art to amplify the voices of people of color (specifically Native Americans), people who are currently experiencing incarceration, and returning residents (aka formerly incarcerated) to expose the mistreatment, dehumanization, and desolation. 

Felix Lucero is of Mexican descent, a William James Association board member, a Returning Resident, a sheet-metal worker, a husband and father. He is a visual artist, specifically a block printer. He produces museum quality prints and has prints in the Library of Congress. He is a prolific writer and a self-taught guitarist. 

Mwasi Fuvi was born in Springfield Mass. – a runaway who faced the adversities of the streets alone, searching for beauty in a world of loneliness and heartbreaks. Throughout  he shows these struggles and beauty. He reveals the loneliness and the heart aches that he has endured. With a stroke of his brush he made the tears he shed disappear, the sadness he felt he turned to laughter, and his pangs turned into rains of a warm summer day. He can change day to night and paint a heaven from hell. No matter where he came from in life, his destination is only as great as his imagination.

Beth Thielen has worked with incarcerated and at risk populations for over 30 years. Her work and the work of her students are represented in the Library of Congress, the Getty Research Institute, the Hammer Museum. Houghton Library at Harvard, Yale University, as well as other public and private collections. She is the recipient of awards from the Puffin Foundation, the Kalliopeia Foundation, and is a Blue Mountain Center and Rauschenberg fellow. She currently resides in Fresno California. 

Katya McCulloch, Director of TeamWorks Art Mentoring Program, is a community artist whose work, and collaborative works with students, are exhibited internationally and in private and public collections including the Library of Congress, UC Berkeley, Emory University, Stanford University, among other special collection libraries. As TeamWorks founding artist, she has made art with justice system involved youth in Marin County for 20 years. She has created community murals and public art in a wide variety of unconventional settings: Music Outback Foundation (Australia), Marin County Fair “Public Art Days”, Italian Street Painting Festival. Katya has 20 years of experience teaching printmaking at San Quentin State Prison through the William James Association Prison Arts Project.

Gary Harrell is aesthetic pleasing to the eyes. He is 69 years young. He is always thinking about his next project. 

JUST ARTISTS who unfortunately cannot attend the event:

Art Hazelwood recently received the Art is A Hammer award for political printmaking from the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. This lifetime achievement award was previously given to artists including Jos Sances, Juan Fuentes and Emory Douglas. The obsession through which he’s worked as an artist is in searching out ways and means for art to have value in society; political, personal and cultural. 

Nicola Bucci, an artist passionate about community outreach, expressing through surrealism, using life experiences, and spreading joy through art.

Top Image: Taking Liberties (2024)

The View from Here: Panel Discussion and Paint Day 7/13/24

The View from Here: Panel Discussion and Paint Day

Saturday, July 13, 11am start

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA

FREE

Learn about the impact of art in prisons from formerly incarcerated artists at this special discussion and paint day. This event will feature alumni and facilitators from the arts programs at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center and Philadelphia’s State Correctional Institution (SCI) Phoenix.

Panel Discussion: Mwasi Fuvi (Bay Area), Eddie Ramirez (Philadelphia), Phoebe Bachman (Philadelphia), and Carol Newborg (Bay Area) will share their insights as program alumni and facilitators of art programs in prisons, exploring the role of art, the day-to-day of prison art initiatives, and the genesis of their bi-coastal collaboration.

Live Mural Painting: Following the discussion, Eddie Ramirez will demonstrate his mural painting technique, showcasing a design created by artists at SCI Phoenix. Community members are invited to participate in completing the mural (Richmond Art Center will be open until 4pm for painting).

This event is part of the exhibition, The View from Here, currently on display at Richmond Art Center.

Top image: Keith Andrews, Fishing from a Hole in a Wall, 2023, Acrylic on parachute cloth. Philadelphia Mural Arts at SCI Phoenix

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Mwasi Fuvi (Isiah Daniels)

I was born in Springfield, Mass. – a runaway who faced the adversities of the streets alone, searching for beauty in a world of loneliness and heartbreak. Through my art, I show these struggles and beauty. I reveal the loneliness and heartaches that I have endured. With a stroke of my brush, I make the tears I shed disappear, the sadness I felt turn to laughter, and my pangs transform into the rains of a warm summer day. I can change day to night and paint a heaven from hell. No matter where I came from in life, my destination is only as great as my imagination. Throughout my life, no matter how adverse, I refused failure. Not even during incarceration could my mind be enslaved.

Eddie Ramirez

Eddie Ramirez was born in Philly, but spent most of his life in prison for crimes he did not commit. While the experience could’ve been a solely horrifying nightmare, Eddie employed all of his creative energies into making art that strives to invite others into a dialog about justice and perseverance. A partner with the Philadelphia Mural Project, collaborating and constructing several murals, Eddie has also shown his work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Defenders Association, and the Barnes Foundation. He has also worked with the End the Exception Campaign through Worth Rises and Mural Arts, and Art For Justice. You can follow Eddie on Instagram: @76concepts

Phoebe Bachman

Phoebe Bachman (she/they) is an artist, facilitator, curator, and activist based in South Philadelphia. Over the past decade, they have cultivated an interdisciplinary creative path grounded in collaboration and social justice. Their work centers on amplifying ongoing acts of resistance with a focus on economic, gender, and racial justice. Selected projects include The People’s Budget, a public art initiative reimagining Philadelphia’s City Budget (2021-2024); The View from Here, an exhibit featuring artists from SCI Phoenix and San Quentin (2024); End the Exception, a multi-disciplinary project advocating for the end of the exception clause in the 13th Amendment (2020-2024). Bachman holds a BFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, and an MA from the Center for Research Architecture at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Carol Newborg

I make work to connect with others and to experience the physicality of making art, often with repetition of forms and process, which gives me a sense of repair and healing. From the original community arts work I did at Creative Growth 45 years ago, through over 40 years of working with Arts in Corrections, I have learned and been inspired by how making art can help people to process hurt and harm and to grow and be nurtured through art. Since 2010 I have been Program Manager, Open Studio teacher and exhibit organizer for the San Quentin Prison Arts Project through the William James Association. I organized many San Quentin art exhibitions, readings, panels and events at Alcatraz, the SF Public Library, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the San Francisco Opera and area colleges and art centers.

Annual Members’ Meeting 6/29/24

Annual Members’ Meeting

Saturday, June 29, 2024, 12pm-1pm

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA

FREE

The Board of Directors at Richmond Art Center extends a warm invitation to all current, recent, and prospective members, along with the wider community, to our Annual Members’ Meeting. Learn about the achievements of Richmond Art Center over the past year and our plans for the future.

Following the meeting, we invite you to stay for refreshments as we celebrate our Summer Exhibitions Opening Reception.

Top Image: Recently students in “Women in Ceramics” drew inspiration from the renowned artist Toshiko Takaezu, creating hollow orbs and then suspending them in hammocks in the courtyard. (Local sculptor John Roeder’s statue looked on.)

Spring Family Day
4/27/24

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Spring Family Day

Saturday, April 27, 2024, 12pm-3pm | Free

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond

We’re gathering on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 12pm to 3pm, to celebrate light and new beginnings through art-making at Spring Family Day. Come join the fun!

Family Day offers a variety of drop-in art-making activities to celebrate the season. Make Spring Equinox affirmation cards with artist Shani Ealey, or print from the sun exploring cyanotype processes with Vivianna Carlos. Other activities are lantern making with Julia La Chica, and a community mural led by Maggie Burns.

Visitors can also listen to live music by Jazz and Soul, learn about opportunities at Urban Tilth, and enjoy sliders by Artisan Kitchen. Inside our galleries, the WCCUSD Student Art Show features a jumbo interactive coloring-in wall by Eli Africa.

This free event is open to kids of all ages and their grown-ups. No rsvp is necessary.

Image: Family Day participants in 2023 work on a community mural project led by Luis Garcia

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Día Familiar en la Primavera

Sábado 27 de abril de 2024, 12:00-15:00 horas | Gratis

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond

Nos reuniremos el sábado 27 de abril de 2024, de 12 p. m. a 3 p. m., para celebrar la luz y los nuevos comienzos a través de la creación artística en el Día Familiar en la Primavera. ¡Únete a la diversión!

El Día de la Familia ofrece una variedad de actividades artísticas sin cita previa para celebrar la temporada. Haga tarjetas de afirmación sobre el equinoccio de primavera con la artista Shani Ealey, o imprima explorando los procesos de cianotipo con Vivianna Carlos. Otras actividades son la fabricación de faroles con Julia La Chica y un mural comunitario dirigido por Maggie Burns.

Los visitantes también pueden escuchar música en vivo de Jazz y Soul, y disfrutar de sliders de Artisan Kitchen. Dentro de nuestras galerías, la Exposición de Arte Estudiantil del WCCUSD presenta una pared gigante interactiva para colorear de Eli Africa.

El evento gratuito está abierto a niños de todas las edades y adultos. No es necesario confirmar su asistencia.

Imagen: Participantes del Día de la Familia en 2023 trabajan en un proyecto de mural comunitario liderado por Luis García

Reception for the WCCUSD Student Art Show
4/16/24

Reception for the WCCUSD Student Art Show

Tuesday, April 16, 5pm-6:30pm (Award Presentation at 5:45pm)

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA

FREE

A special reception to celebrate the artistic achievements of over 300 students from thirteen different West Contra Contra Unified School District schools participating in the annual Student Art Show! Featuring music by the De Anza High School band.

All friends and family of the students are welcome. No RSVP is necessary.

Top image: Artwork by Cashel Shaughnessy, Fred T. Korematsu Middle School

We Were There Too! Year of the Panther Cub
4/13/24

We Were There Too!

Year of the Panther Cub

Saturday, April 13, 12pm-3pm | Free

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond

Children of the Black Panther Party share their stories. Hear firsthand accounts of growing up in a revolutionary movement that changed the course of history. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to learn about a crucial part of American history from the children who lived it.

More info: https://calendly.com/meressiagabriel/we-were-there-too?month=2024-04


Richmond Art Center is proud to be a resource for hosting community meetings and events. Richmond Art Center is not the organizer of this event. For more information contact hello@lifechangingwriting.com

Art of the African Diaspora Closing Party
3/16/24

Saturday, March 16, 2pm-4pm

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA

FREE

Let’s come together one last time at Richmond Art Center to celebrate Art of the African Diaspora 2024!


INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Artwork Pick Up: Exhibiting artists may pick up their artworks after the Closing Party event from 4pm-5:30pm. Please note, no earlier artwork pick up can be accommodated.

Artwork Pick Up Times:

  • Saturday, March 16, 4pm-5:30pm
  • Monday, March 18, 11am-4pm

Stories and Reflections on the Refinery Healing Walks
3/2/24

Stories and Reflections on the Refinery Healing Walks

Opening: Corina Gould, Co-Director, Sogorea Te’ Land Trust; Traditional Spokesperson, Confederated Villages of Lisjan

Panelists: Isabella Zizi, Alison Ehara-Brown, Pennie Opal Plant, Patricia St. Onge

Saturday, March 2, 11am (reception), 12pm (panel discussion)

Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA

FREE

On Saturday, March 2, a special event to share stories and reflections from the Refinery Healing Walks will be held. A reception will begin at 11am, followed by a panel discussion at 12pm. This event is free and all are welcome.

This event is held in conjunction with the exhibition Many Hands, One World – Quilts from the Refinery Corridor Healing Walks.

Special thanks to Mike and Tammy Little Bear for providing lunch, and David Solnit of Climate Justice Street Mural Arts Project for leading the Refinery Healing Walks patch making activity.

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Richmond Art Center
2540 Barrett Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804-1600

 

Contact and Visitor Info
Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm

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