From April 6th to June 4th, the Richmond Art Center is presenting the paintings of popular local artist Dewey Crumpler. The exhibit features an absorbing survey of Crumpler’s “shipping container” work.
More than 120 pieces of his art will be on display, providing an opportunity for viewers “to consider the history, lived legacy and future impact of the global shipping industry”. In this series of works, including new large-scale paintings, Crumpler juxtaposes our dependence on container shipping with the consequences and heritage of cargo ships crossing the oceans over the centuries.
Dewey Crumpler: Crossings asks us to consider the history, lived legacy and future impact of the global shipping industry. Presenting over 120 works, from sketches to large scale paintings, the exhibition represents Crumpler’s twenty-five years of investigation into the beauty and power of ribbed, metal cargo boxes.
In Crumpler’s work shipping containers are dense metaphors; encompassing stories of mass migration, transformation and voyages destined to be repeated. They trace transatlantic trade routes that emerged in the 15th century and are still used today. They also show industry that has irrevocably shaped port cities like San Francisco, Oakland and Richmond. Through connecting historical and contemporary systems, time in Crumpler’s work becomes a loop of rebirth and decline pressed forward through the crossing of water. Crumpler explains, “At the heart of these works is memory.”
For more than 30 years Dewey Crumpler has been a major influence in Bay area artist communities. He has taught at the SF Art Institute since 1989. Recent retrospectives and exhibits include the Hedreen Gallery in Seattle and Frieze 2020, a virtual presentation curated by Zoe Whitley of London’s Chisenhale Gallery.
Crumpler’s work is in the permanent collections of museums in Oakland, Santa Clara and Los Angeles. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and other grants.
JEANNE POWELL is a published poet and essayist. She holds degrees from Wayne State University and the University of San Francisco. Jeanne has taught in the CS, UB and OLLI programs at universities in the City. Her books in print include MY OWN SILENCE and WORD DANCING from Taurean Horn Press.
Could there be a more perfect cover artwork for our Spring Catalog than instructor Chris Harper Triplett’s Flower Cowgirl? Some students may recognize this piece as Chris created it as a demo in her watercolor class back in 2018.
As Covid-19 case numbers continue to go down and the Bay Area gradually “opens up” you’ll see some positive changes rolling out at Richmond Art Center. Our gallery hours are expanding (Wed-Sat 10am-4pm), new staff hires are arriving (welcome Elaine Moreno, our new Visitor Services Coordinator), and more in-person classes will run as part of our Spring Session schedule. A highlight for me in the galleries this spring is—after a two year pause—the return of the WCCUSD Student Art Show. Be inspired by the skill and vision of the next generation of local artists.
There’s also a lot happening behind the scenes at RAC. Our education team is collaborating with RYSE Youth Center and East Bay Center for the Performing Arts to run a professional development training series for educators. The makeover of the metals studio continues and we are hosting the Metal Arts Guild Picnic. Artists-in-residence Liberación Gráfica are working in the print studio with a group of students from Richmond High. And we were excited to send three staff to the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference in Sacramento this past March. Marisa Burman, RAC’s Ceramics Manager, described the event as, “rich and stimulating”.
Kids of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to Richmond Art Center’s Spring Family Dayon Saturday, May 14, 12pm-3pm. This free, family event is an opportunity to celebrate the gifts of spring through art-making, dancing, and music.
Bomba by Quenepas
Live Printing by Liberación Gráfica
Fencelines Workshop
Succulent Art Planters
Art Making Activities
Flower Photo Booth
Pottery Demo with a Kick Wheel
Richmond Our Power Coalition
Gallery Search and Find
…and more!
Thank you to Richmond Rotary Club for sponsoring this event.
Images (left to right, top to bottom): Details of works by Karen Seneferu, Heather McAlister, Melanin Buford, Jeff Maylath, Daniel Ballesteros, Adrian Delgado, Janet Lipkin, and AJ Serrano
Join Richmond Art Center’s team. We’re looking for an Education Coordinator to support all Education Programs, Projects, Partnerships and Personnel – Online, On-site, and Off-site.
We are so happy to welcome Elaine Moreno to Richmond Art Center’s staff team. Elaine is our new Visitor Services Coordinator.
Please say hello and welcome to Elaine at the front desk next time you are at RAC!
About Elaine: Elaine Moreno is a Bay Area born and raised Visual Artist, primarily working with Film and Digital Photography. Elaine’s passion for the arts started at an early age, and brought her to California College of the Arts where she graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography and Visual Studies Minor. Elaine aims to give back to her community that helped propel her artistic journey in hopes to inspire and guide others along their artistic paths.
