Online Exhibition: February 11 – May 16, 2021 Online Reception: Saturday, March 20, 3pm
Richmond, CA: Art of the African Diaspora, in partnership with Richmond Art Center, supports artists of African descent in the Bay Area through representation, professional development, and building a creative community.
In 2021 Art of the African Diaspora will be a hybrid online/in-person event presented at aotad.org, richmondartcenter.org, and at venues throughout the Bay Area.* Over 110 artists will be featured in an online exhibition highlighting their work, bios and artist statements. The online exhibition will run February 11 through to May 16, 2021. richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/aotad2021
“Art of the African Diaspora is an exhibition that introduces African Diaspora art to new audiences, but also provides fresh insight into its artists and their Bay Area experiences. We are excited that the 2021 program will be a virtual hybrid which we anticipate will expand our audience,” says Stephen Bruce, artist and Steering Committee Chair that produces Art of the African Diaspora.
In conjunction with the online exhibition, artists will host open studios, artists talks and satellite exhibitions throughout February, March, April and May 2021. These artist-curated events will be both virtual and in-person happenings (covid-permitting), and audiences can find out about them via aotad.org. Satellite exhibition partners include Macy’s, San Francisco; Rhythmix Cultural Works, Alameda; Creative Framing & Gallery, Oakland; and NIAD, Richmond. An special online artist Reception and Guest Speaker Evening are also planned. More information about these events to be released soon.
* No in person events will be held at Richmond Art Center. Individual artist events are subject to City and County health orders and compliance with the social distancing requirements.
Participating Artists: a. d. floyd, Abi Mustapha, Ajuan Mance, Akeem Raheem, Akili Simba, Alix J Magloire, Andrea McCoy Harvey, Antt’Smalls aka AnttonioDesigns, Arthur Norcome, Ashara Ekundayo, Beautiful Beads by Lan, bertrell smith, Bill A. Dallas, Brianna Mills, Carla Golder, Carrie Lee McClish, Charles Curtis Blackwell, Chasya Thierry, Christian Vassell, Chuck Harlins, Claude Lockhart Clark, Damon Powell – Artist & Theologian, Darryl Thompson, De’Ana Brownfield, Deatra Colbert, Derrick Bell, Diamela, Doitshā Jones, Dolores R Gray, Donna Gatson, Donna Meke’da Bradley, Dre’An Cox, Dulama, Elishes Cavness, Elmarise Owens, Escape Artist, Ester M. Armstrong, Fan Lee Warren, Floyd Brown, Freddie Crome Lambright, III, Gene Dominique, Genesse McGaugh, Gregory Worsham, Hilda Robinson, iam4muze, Idris Hassan, Irene Bee Kain, J of Coeurs De Papier, J. B. Broussard, JaeMe Bereal, James Gayles, James Knox, Janay Futch, Janet Barnes, Jasmine, Jason Byrd, Jason Powell-Smith, Jennifer Inez Ward, Jessica Keener, Jimi Evins, Jonathan Taylor, Joseph Robinson, Julee Richardson, Julie Atkinson, KaliMa Amilak, Karen Smith, karin turner – karinsArt, Keisha White, Kelvin Curry, Kimberley Champion, Kimberly Johnson, L Holley, Latisha Baker, Lorraine Bonner, Maalak, Marguerite, Mark Sublett, Marva Reed, Mia Mya Dawson, Michelle Tompkins, Naomi Floyd, Olubori Babaoye, Ora Clay, Orin Carpenter, Orlonda Uffre, Pam Jackson, Patricia Patterson, Patricia Perry, Raven Harper, Raymond L. Haywood, Renata, Rodney Bell, Ron Calime, Shanju, Shantae Robinson, Shante’ Young, Shawna Kinard, Stephanie Thames, Stephen Bruce, Suzane Beaubrun, Sylvia Thomas, TaSin Sabir, The Art of Justice, TheArthur Wright, Tiffany Conway, Tomye, Val Kai, Valerie Brown-Troutt, Vaughn F. Filmore, VirgiNia Jourdan Fine Art, Wanda Sabir, Xan Blood Walker, Yasmin Sayyed, Yolanda Holley, Yolanda Patton ThaSun, Zoë Boston, and Zwanda
About Art of the African Diaspora: Art of the African Diaspora is the longest running event of its kind in the Bay Area. It originated from a salon for African American artists known as Colors of Black that was organized in 1990 by artist and professor Marie Johnson Calloway. In 1997 artists Jan Hart-Schuyers and Rae Louise Hayward founded The Art of Living Black at Richmond Art Center, and many of the artists from Colors of Black participated in the inaugural exhibition. Hart-Schuyers and Hayward developed The Art of Living Black to present the work of emerging and established African American artists, introduce them to new audiences, and build a creative community of artists and art lovers. Over the next twenty-five years Richmond Art Center’s commitment in presenting the exhibition ensured the increased visibility for African American artists in the Bay Area that Hart-Schuyers and Hayward wanted. Tragically Hart-Schuyers passed away in 1998 and Hayward died in 2008. However, their organizing efforts were carried on for many years by their husbands Henri Schuyers and Steven Hopkins, and Steven’s sister Melba Lazenby, who passed away in 2013. Since 2018, the event has been produced by a Steering Committee of artists dedicated to the vision of Hart-Schuyers and Hayward. In 2020 the event changed its name to Art of the African Diaspora to reflect a new era moving forward. aotad.org
About Richmond Art Center: Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating with community since 1936. Our programs encompass classes, exhibitions and events at our facility, as well as off-site activities that bring free, high-quality art making experiences to WCCUSD schools, community centers, and Richmond Public Library. richmondartcenter.org
Images: Artworks by Fan Lee Warren (top), Val kai (above left), and Tiffany Conway (above right)
For more information contact: Stephen Bruce, Steering Committee Chair, Art of the African Diaspora stephenbstudios@yahoo.com, 916-446-3271
Online and in-person event featuring Bay Area arts and crafts
Richmond, CA: Richmond Art Center (RAC) invites holiday shoppers and art lovers to experience the 58th Annual Holiday Arts Festival! This beloved Richmond Art Center tradition returns in November and December 2020 with a hybrid in-person/virtual event featuring Ceramics Sale and Curbside Market and Online Arts and Crafts Hub.
We also have art kit giveaways and thank you gifts to celebrate the Holiday Arts Festival as RAC’s largest community fundraising event. Visit richmondartcenter.org/haf to view the event schedule, artist listings, and browse thank you gifts including RAC apparel, unique glass magnets and beautiful, original artwork.
RICHMOND, CA: Richmond Art Center opens its Fall 2020 class registration with expanded online art class listings. The Fall 2020 session offers over forty classes by nearly thirty different teaching artists, including old favorites and beloved teachers, as well as new offerings for kids, adults and families.
Oil painting, figure drawing, ceramics and watercolor classes are back. Listed alongside media chosen especially for online at-home learning and offering students new means for expression; journaling, digital art, Zoom games, and embroidery.
“We have something for everyone!” says José Rivera, RAC’s Executive Director. “Including new intergenerational classes where people of all ages can learn together and from each other. These are difficult times, and I’m continually amazed by the ingenuity of our teaching artists in adapting and innovating to find ways for people to stay creative and move forward through art.”
The Fall 2020 Session features classes for adults, kids, teens and mixed/all ages groups. New classes include Jade Fair’s Planting Creativity (herbalism and mixed media), Lauren Ari’s Inward Spiral (guided drawing for play and relaxation), Charlyn Griffith-oro’s XENOGENESIS (Black sci-fi making space), Leah Yael Levy’s Comics Lab (comics and visual storytelling), and Feral Fabric’s Backpatch, Banner and Flag Workshop (sharing messages through fabric).
And… Date Nightreturns! Date Night is a monthly night of socializing and art-making. On October 2, 7:30-9pm the event will be hosted by artist Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh who will teach participants to make their own zines. (BYOB, sliding scale to participate.)
Art Boost!: Making art accessible to everyone is at the heart of the Richmond Art Center’s mission. Needs-based Art Boost scholarships are available for eligible children, teens and adults. The Scholarship Request Form is available on RAC’s website under the ‘Classes’ tab on the topbar menu.
About Richmond Art Center: Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating experiences for making together in Richmond since 1936. We offer art classes and workshops for over 5,000 adults and youth per year to create, experience and share art at our facility and in local schools and community spaces. We also present rotating exhibitions of work by Bay Area artists, attracting over 18,000 visitors to our four galleries annually. richmondartcenter.org
RICHMOND, CA: Richmond Art Center launches RAC UPLOADED, a new online art program. RAC UPLOADED includes workshops, classes, demos and virtual meet-ups featuring accessible materials and media for at-home creativity.
Online offerings for adults, youth, children and families
Making screen time active and engaging
Fee, sliding-scale and free options
New classes starting weekly
“Art-making offers a great opportunity to bring people together during shelter-in-place for creativity and connection,” says José Rivera, RAC’s Executive Director. “When designing their classes our Teaching Artists thought carefully about what experiences people might be needing as they self-isolate; tactile experiences, opportunities for new forms of expression, opportunities for meeting new people. There is an important connection between art and wellness, and right now we need art more than ever.”
CLASSES: Classes include both single workshops and cumulative sessions running one to four weeks. Adult classes running this month include Fundamental Drawing taught by Rebeca García-González, Rag Lab a series of upcycled fashion workshops by Vida Vazquez, and Visual Journalingwith Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh. For young artists and families, class offerings include Beginner Origami, Mixed Medium Sculpture, and Pop-Up Paper.
DEMOS: A series of live artist demonstrations will create experiences for students to pick up techniques and tips through watching artists in action. Demos will range from digital illustration to botanical monoprints to edible clay (!).
FREE MEET-UPS: In addition to paid and sliding-scale events, RAC is running free drop-in gatherings for students to visit with each other virtually while participating in an art-making activity facilitated by a teaching artist. Family MAKE happens every Thursday from 4-5pm and is an all-ages family-friendly space for exploration and creativity. Morning Cup is geared towards adult students and happens 10am-11am every Friday (participants are encouraged to bring their favorite morning cup!).
Art Boost! Making art accessible to everyone is at the heart of the Richmond Art Center’s mission. Needs-based Art Boost scholarships are available for eligible children, teens and adults. The Scholarship Request Form is available on RAC’s website under ‘Art Classes’.
About Richmond Art Center: Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating experiences for making together in Richmond since 1936. We offer art classes and workshops for over 5,000 adults and youth per year to create, experience and share art at our facility and in local schools and community spaces. We also present rotating exhibitions of work by Bay Area artists, attracting over 18,000 visitors to our four galleries annually.
Media Contact: Amy Spencer, amy@richmondartcenter.org
RICHMOND, CA: El Centro de Arte de Richmond (Richmond Art Center) se complace en anunciar el nombramiento de José R. Rivera para el cargo de Director Ejecutivo. La presidenta de la Junta Directiva, Patricia Guthrie, dijo: “El Sr. Rivera trae una gran experiencia de gestión y un profundo compromiso con el arte y la comunidad, que creemos que ayudará a sacar adelante al Richmond Art Center en un momento de gran cambio social”. La contratación del Sr. Rivera se produce después de una extensa búsqueda en la que participó la Junta Directiva, el personal del RAC y miembros de la comunidad.
RICHMOND, CA: The Richmond Art Center is pleased to announce the appointment of José R. Rivera to the position of Executive Director. Board of Directors President Patricia Guthrie said: “Mr. Rivera brings a wealth of management experience and a deep commitment to the arts and community which we feel will help move the Richmond Art Center forward at a time of great societal change.” Mr. Rivera’s hire comes after an extensive search involving the Board of Directors, RAC Staff, and community members.
State funds support in-school and after-school art programs, as well as a new artist residency at RAC
Richmond, CA: The California Arts Council announced grant awards totaling $57,000 to Richmond Art Center (RAC). The grants RAC will receive are Artists in Communities, Artists in Schools, and Youth Arts Action.
Artists in Schools and Youth Arts Action grants will support RAC’s in-school and after-school art programs in Richmond schools this upcoming school year. The Artists in Communities grant will fund, in part, an artist residency, youth art photography class and exhibition at RAC.
The inventive power of Dewey Crumpler’s shipping containers
Richmond Art Center 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804 Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat, 10am – 5pm
Exhibition: March 31 – May 30, 2020 Reception: Saturday, March 28, 5-7pm Artist Talk: Saturday, May 2, 11am Location: Main Gallery
RICHMOND, CA: The Richmond Art Center announces Dewey Crumpler: Crossings, the first survey of Dewey Crumpler’s ‘shipping container’ work to be exhibited in the Bay Area. The exhibition will include over 120 works that ask us to consider the history, lived legacy and future impact of the global shipping industry.
Richmond, CA: The Richmond Art Center announces Art of the African Diaspora, an exhibition featuring over 150 artists of African Descent. The exhibition will be on view in the Richmond Art Center’s Main and West Galleries from January 14 through to March 13, 2020. This exhibition will be accompanied by self-guided open studio tours and satellite exhibitions at 30 different venues across the Bay Area.
Exhibition: January 14 – March 13, 2020 Artistic Achievement Awardees’ Talk: Saturday, January 25, 12:30-2pm Reception: Saturday, January 25, 2-5pm Featured Speaker Event: Saturday, February 1, 12:30-2pm Closing Party: Friday, March 13, 3-5pm
Richmond Art Center 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804 Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Events Around the Bay Area Open Studios: Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1; Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8; and Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2020 Satellite Exhibitions: Throughout January, February and March 2020
Art of the African Diaspora was formerly known as The Art of Living Black. The Steering Committee of artists that produces the event announced the name change as a reflection of the new energy behind the event, which was founded in 1997 by the late Jan Hart-Schuyers and late Rae Louise Hayward.
“The name The Art of Living Black belongs to the late founders’ families,” explains Stephen Bruce, artist and chair or the Steering Committee. “We remain dedicated to the spirit of Jan and Rae and will honor them by producing a stellar community event for artists of African descent. However, the time has come for us to have a name that will allow us the autonomy to grow and reflect this new era for the event. ”
In 2020, special events for the Art of the African Diaspora at the Richmond Art Center include an artist talk with Artistic Achievement Awardees KaliMa Amilak, Zoë Boston, and Abi Mustapha on Saturday, January 25, 12:30-2pm, followed by a reception featuring live music from 2-5pm. A featured speaker event (speaker tba) will happen Saturday, February 1, 12:30-2pm with the 2021 Artistic Achievement Awardees to be announced.
This year over 95 artists will participate in open studios and satellite exhibitions. Venues hosting artists include Bridge Storage and ArtSpace (Richmond), CoBiz (Richmond), Creative Framing and Gallery (Oakland), Dorks Tec Café (Berkeley), Ethnic Notions Fine Art Gallery (Vallejo), Joyce Gordon Gallery (Oakland), JPosh Designs (Oakland), SHOH Gallery (Berkeley), and Village Theatre Art Gallery (Danville). Details about the off-site exhibitions and open studios can be found in the Art of the African Diaspora guide, published January 2020.
KaliMa Amilak is one of 2020’s Artistic Achievement Awardees. She acknowledges Art of the African Diaspora is an important opportunity for emerging artists, “When I received the award for me what that meant… was a reiteration to keep going. Keep going with my art. Keep going with expanding as an artist in my career. It’s an affirmation in moving forward.”
Participating Artists: AkeemRaheem, Aneu’re, AnttonioDesigns, Ester M. Armstrong, Jason Austin, Latisha Baker, Irene Bee Kain, Derrick Bell, Randolph Belle, Jae Me Bereal, Charles Blackwell, Lorraine Bonner, Zoë Boston, Donna Meke’da Bradley, J.B. Broussard, Cedric Brown, Floyd Brown, Marguerite Browne, Valerie Brown-Troutt, Stephen Bruce, Lawrence Buford, Melanin Buford, Ron Calime, Orin Carpenter, Marsha Carter, Elishes Cavness III, Celise, Toshia Christal, Claude Lockhart Clark, Lottye Clayton, Gary Collins, Tiffany Conway (Project Get Free), Zwanda Cook, Kelvin Curry, Diamela Cutino, Patricia Daigre McGee, Bill A. Dallas, Jim Dennis, Pete Dent, Doitshā, Gene Dominique, Angela Douglas, Anna W. Edwards, Louise Terry Eubanks, Jimi Evins, Candi Farlice, Vaughn Filmore, a. d. floyd, Naomi Floyd, Kaya Fortune, Donna Gatson, Carla Golder, Grandma’s Hands, Renata Gray, Stephen Greer, Charles Harlins, Raven Harper, Nannette Y. Harris-Jones, Idris Hassan, Raymond L. Haywood, Evelyn Hicks, Karla Higgins, Rose Hill, Yolanda Holley, Mitchell Howard, Ozell Hudson Jr, Steve Hurst, Pam Jackson, Kimberly V. Johnson, Michael Johnson, Will Johnson, Virginia Jourdan, JPosh Aubry (Janina), KaliMa Julien, Val Kai, Jessica Keener, Travis “Trav Lyrics” Keeton, H Lenn Keller, Leon Kennedy, Dana King, James Knox, Dulama LeGrande, Jennifer A. Lockette, Maalak, Alix J. Maglorie, Ajuan Mance, Andrea McCoy Harvey, Shonna McDaniels, Genesse McGaugh, Susan McGuire, Brianna Mills, James Moore, Abi Mustapha, Mychal, Halisi Noel-Johnson, Arthur Norcome, Carla Oden, Kwadwo Otempong, Elmarise Owens, Sean Papillion, Pat Patterson, Yolanda ThaSun Patton, Raife Pickett, Cori Nicole Pillows, Damon Powell – Artist &Theologian, Rais, Kumi Rauf, Gwendolyn Reed, Marva Reed, Ashlei Reign, Justice Renaissance, Julee Richardson, Joseph Robinson, Dawn Rudd, Wanda Sabir, Ronnie Sampson, Ron Moultrie Saunders, Jabali Sawicki, Yasmin Sayyed, Malik Seneferu, Malik Seneferu, Osaze Seneferu, Shanju, James Shorter, Akili Simba, Thomas Robert Simpson, Bertrell Smith, Karen Smith, Chanell Stone, Mark Sublett, Thomas Tandy, Stephanie Thames, Atiba Sylvia Thomas, Mildred Thompson, Michelle Tompkins, Tomye, Karin Turner – karinsArt, Orlonda Uffre, Olaitan Valerie, BJ VanBuren, Paula Vaughan, Charles Walker, Xan Blood Walker, Jennifer Inez Ward, Fan Warren, Horace Washington, Lois Williams, Nedra T. Williams, WilParish, Jazmyne Woffard-Jones, TheArthur Wright (SiGiDiArt), Jasmine Young
About the Richmond Art Center: The Richmond Art Center is the largest visual arts center in the East Bay, delivering exciting arts experiences to people of all ages who reflect the diverse richness of our community. We do this through onsite Studio classes and Exhibitions, and offsite Art in the Community programs.
Richmond Art Center 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804 Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
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 we do at the Center continues to breathe life into Salmi’s original vision: That within every person lives an artist. Annually we teach thousands of students through classes taught by professional artists; onsite in our six large studios, and off-site via partnerships with community organizations. We also mount 14-16 rotating exhibitions yearly in our four gallery spaces that display the work of youth, emerging and established Bay Area artists. richmondartcenter.org
Image: KaliMa Amilak, Regal Attendance, 2019. Courtesy of the Artist
