Check out the Spring Catalog for information about upcoming classes, exhibitions and special events. CLICK HERE to see the catalog online, or pick up a copy at Richmond Art Center.
A Message from RAC’s Executive Director
Hello Friends,
Sunny weather is coming and we have a couple of “not to be missed” events at Richmond Art Center this season. First, it’s Spring Family Day. This time, this free event will celebrate advocacy for environmental justice through art-making. And then in April, it’s the West Contra Costa Unified School District Student Art Show. It always astonishes me to see the incredible artistic talent of local middle and high school students. And this year marks the 57th year of the exhibition.
Meanwhile, a new and exciting class is launching: blacksmithing! It will be held in the courtyard to keep everyone safe (and no need to carry your own anvil!)
Finally, a few weeks ago we were happy to welcome to Richmond Art Center Tony Tamayo, Chief of Staff to Richmond’s Mayor and B.K. White, Public Policy Director in the Office of the Mayor. Tony and BK toured our facilities and we talked about upcoming events and how the Office of the Mayor can assist RAC in its efforts. We are so appreciative that the Mayor’s Office visited us during their busy transition time. We look forward to a great relationship with them.
Join us at Richmond Art Center to celebrate one last time our winter exhibitions! We’ll also be having a free photo session with ENOUGH Considered and hosting a visioning session for the establishment of an Arts Council and an Arts & Culture Strategic Plan for our county.
What’s Happening:
Visioning Session for Arts & Culture in Contra Costa County, 10am-11:30am | More info…
Art of the African Diaspora Closing Party, 2pm-4pm | More info…
Connected Always and Remembrance Project Closing Reception, 2pm-4pm | More info…
ENOUGH: Photo Portrait Session, 2pm-4pm | More info…
Ruth Morgan in conversation with Robbin Légère Henderson
Saturday, May 27, 12pm-1:30pm
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
FREE
In her exhibition Requiem: The Remains of the Day, August 4, 2021 photographer Ruth Morgan presents a selection of evocative photographs that document the devastation of Greenville, CA after it was burnt down by the Dixie Wildfire in 2021.
For this special event Ruth Morgan will be in conversation with Berkeley-based artist, curator and writer Robbin Légère Henderson.
ANNOUNCING: Spring Exhibitions at Richmond Art Center April 5 – June 3, 2023 Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804 Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm Exhibitions and events are all free and no rsvp is necessary
Fencelines is a community-based participatory art project that invites local folks to reflect on the circumstances of environmental injustice in the city of Richmond. The exhibition is centered around portraits of community participants and aims to amplify the work of local environmental justice organizations and provide opportunities for visitor participation and discussion.
Central to Fencelines is a public art installation along a city-owned fence bordering the Chevron refinery and the North Richmond residential neighborhood immediately downwind of it. A special installation event will be held on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, at the Richmond Parkway Bay Trail between Gertrude and Vernon Avenues.
Fencelines is co-created by Graham L.P., Princess Robinson, Gita Khandagle, and members of the Richmond Community.
Photographer Ruth Morgan presents a selection of evocative photographs that document the devastation of Greenville, CA after it was burned down by the Dixie Wildfire in 2021. Officially caused by a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. equipment failure, the fire was fueled and exacerbated by man-made climate change along with overgrown forests caused by decades of fire suppression and population growth at the edges of forests. In this exhibition Morgan’s large 40 ”x 60” prints envelop the gallery composing a requiem to Greenville and a warning for us all to meet the challenge of climate change and ensuing global warming.
In the first exhibition of The Greenhouse Series, artist Tanja Geis displays mesmerizing cyanotypes of painted decomposing common murres, a bird species that experienced historic die-offs along local coasts in the summer of 2015 as a direct result of global warming. With carcasses of starving birds, ocean litter, and mud ridden with local toxins and heavy metals, Geis reassembles the components of decay into new forms, new bodies, new life.
The Greenhouse is a three-part exhibition series at Richmond Art Center that focuses on the climate crisis and environmental justice movements in Richmond, CA. The Greenhouse is organized in partnership with Round Weather, a nonprofit art gallery in Oakland, and curated by its director Chris Kerr.
Exhibition: April 5 – May 13, 2023 Reception: Tuesday, April 18, 5pm-6:30pm (Award Presentation at 5:45pm)
Now in its 57th year, the WCCUSD Student Art Show presents work by over 300 students from 15 different schools. This teacher-curated exhibition demonstrates best practices in delivering an art-based curriculum. It also represents Richmond Art Center and WCCUSD’s shared vision that art education is a crucial component of a thriving and productive society.
Participating Schools: Betty Reid Soskin Middle School, De Anza High School, El Cerrito High School, Fred T. Korematsu Middle School, Helms Middle School, Hercules High School, Hercules Middle School, John F. Kennedy High School, Mira Vista School, Pinole Middle School, Pinole Valley High School, Richmond High School, Montalvin Manor, Stewart Elementary School, Vista High School
Above image: Artwork by Meghan Shelby Reisbord, El Cerrito High School
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About Richmond Art Center
Richmond Art Center has been sharing art and creating with the community since 1936. Our programs encompass classes, exhibitions and events at our facility in downtown Richmond, as well as off-site activities that bring free, high-quality art making experiences to WCCUSD schools and community partners. richmondartcenter.org
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 katherine@apen4ej.org
Kimberly Ross joins Richmond Art Center’s staff team with extensive experience in the fashion industry, as well as entrepreneurial endeavors in event production and image consulting. As Public Programs Coordinator Kimberly will coordinate the volunteer program and special events, as well as support front desk activities. Kimberly is a Richmond native, with roots in Oakland and San Francisco.
Say hello to Kimberly at the front desk next time you are at RAC!
Or connect with her at kimberly@richmondartcenter.org
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
FREE
It’s a revolutionary Rich City! Come hear the full story of the Richmond Greenway! The feature “Greenway” by documentary filmmaker Jed Lee weaves together the enriching tale of how a once abandoned and dangerous railroad line is now a beautiful stretch of walking path decorated on each side with gardens, murals, and parks. Hear from current Richmond community leaders about how this transformation was 100% fought for and by the community.
This event is free, open to all and no rsvp is necessary. Immediately proceeding the film screening at 5:30pm will be a gallery walkthrough with artist Tanja Geis of her new solo exhibition. Come early and enjoy both these events from The Greenhouse exhibition and speaker series.
About the filmmaker: Jed Lee is a Taiwanese and Chinese-Filipino American activist, artist, and filmmaker from the Bay Area in California. Jed is a first time filmmaker and directed and produced the “Greenway” feature documentary, which recently won “Best Documentary” at the Our Heritage, Our Planet Film Festival, and “Best Film for Environmental Activism” at the International Social Change Film Festival.
About The Greenhouse: The Greenhouse is a three-part exhibition series at Richmond Art Center that focuses on the climate crisis and environmental justice movements in Richmond, CA. The Greenhouse is organized in partnership with Round Weather, a nonprofit art gallery in Oakland, and curated by its director Chris Kerr.
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
FREE
Artist Tanja Geis will walk us through her solo exhibition in the west gallery, Recompose.
This event is free, open to all and no rsvp is necessary.
Immediately following the gallery walk through will be a film screening at 6:30pm of Jed Lee’s The Greenway. Both these events are part of The Greenhouse, an exhibition and speaker series focused on the climate crisis and environmental justice movements in Richmond, CA.
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
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 Briel Pomerantz bpomeratz@gopublicschools.org
