Portfolio Development for Young Artists
Native News: California Art Center Hosts Controversial Leonard Peltier Exhibition
BY NATIVE NEWS ONLINE STAFF SEPTEMBER 20, 2021
RICHMOND, Calif. — The Richmond Art Center in Richmond, Calif. is hosting Time and Again, an exhibition centered on artist Rigo 23’s monumental sculptural tribute to imprisoned Leonard Peltier (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe).
Peltier has been incarcerated for the past 45 years for the murder of two FBI agents, who were shot and killed at Oglala on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975. To many American Indians and others, Peltier, who turned 77-years-old on Sept. 12, is a symbol of an oppressive federal system that confines Native people to a dismal place in American society.
Rigo 23 is a well-known artist in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has exhibited his work internationally for over three decades, often placing murals, paintings, sculptures, and tile work in public venues.
The Time and Again exhibition’s main feature is a sculpture made from California redwood, foam, plywood, and metal that is based on a small hand-painted self-portrait Leonard Peltier created in prison. The statue’s 9’x6’ base replicates the dimensions of a traditional prison cell. Each time the work is shown, the exhibition incorporates selections from the growing collection of photographs of supporters standing in solidarity on the statue’s feet.
Community celebrates Leonard Peltier’s 77th birthday on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Richmond Art Center. (Photo/Facebook)
The sculpture became controversial when it was completed in 2016 and first shown at the Katzen Art Center at the American University, Washington D.C. Facing pressure from the FBI Agents Association and a bomb threat made to the university on the same day, the artwork was abruptly removed from display. It took one year to return the sculpture back to Rigo 23.
Since its return to the artist, it has been exhibited at the Main Museum in Los Angeles (2018), SOMArts (2019) and most recently atop the roof of the San Francisco Institute of Art overlooking Alcatraz Island (2020).
The statue’s feet, which are detachable, have taken their own journey, traveling to significant sites of Native Resistance across the U.S. including Standing Rock, Alcatraz Island, Wounded Knee, Crow Dog’s Paradise, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Supporters have been invited to stand on the feet as an expression of solidarity – and be photographed. In summer 2021, Richmond Art Center also welcomed members of the community to do so.
The current exhibition includes materials such as original sketches for the banner “It’s 1999, Why is Leonard Peltier Still in Prison?” mounted outside the Berkeley Art Museum; photographs from the Tate Wikikuwa Museum installed at the deYoung Museum that same year; brochure and zine from theTate Wikikuwa Museum at the Warehouse Gallery in Syracuse University where the Leonard Peltier sculpture premiered, in 2011; and historical photographs by the late Michelle Vignes documenting seminal events in the history of the American Indian Movement.
Arthur Jacobs contributed to this article from Emeryville, Calif.
Exhibition: September 9 – November 18, 2021
2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804
Gallery Hours: Thurs 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-2pm, or by appt 510-620-6772
Web link to article: https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/california-art-center-hosts-controversial-leonard-peltier-exhibition
Pdf link to article: https://richmondartcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Native-News_-California-Art-Center-Hosts-Controversial-Leonard-Peltier-Exhibition.pdf
Hispanic Heritage Month, A Letter from José Rivera, Executive Director
Saludos RAC Community!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! After being closed for over a year and a half due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m happy it is during Hispanic Heritage Month that Richmond Art Center has finally reopened to the public. Explore our Fall Program 2021 Catalog to see what exhibitions we have on view (pages 6-7) and listings for upcoming in-person and online classes (pages 8-20). As always, we continue to offer classes taught in Spanish, bilingual classes, and intergenerational classes.
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15 and is an important opportunity to honor and celebrate Hispanic/Latino/Latinx people living in the U.S.. It is also a time to learn about the stories of oppression, prejudice and injustice that often go overlooked. The Bay Area, and Richmond especially, has a culturally diverse Latino community, and I encourage you to find your own way to celebrate and explore Hispanic Heritage Month.
I’m excited to announce that on Saturday, October 23, 12-3pm we are celebrating Día de los Muertos at RAC. We’ll have alebrije-making, bomba dancing, and more. This free family event is not to be missed!
Hope to see you at RAC soon. Hasta pronto!
José Rivera
Executive Director
¡Saludos Amigos del RAC!
¡Feliz Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana! Después de estar cerrado durante más de un año y medio debido a la pandemia del Covid-19, estoy muy feliz de haber podido reabrir al público durante este mes. Explora nuestro catálogo de otoño 2021 para ver qué exposiciones ofrecemos (páginas 6 y 7) y para ver los listados de las próximas clases presenciales y en línea (páginas 8 a la 20). Como siempre, continuamos ofreciendo clases en español, clases bilingües y clases intergeneracionales.
El Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana se lleva a cabo del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre y es una oportunidad importante para honrar y celebrar a las personas hispanas / latinas / latinx que viven en los EE. UU. También es un momento para aprender sobre las historias de opresión, prejuicio e injusticia que a menudo se pasan por alto . El Área de la Bahía, y Richmond especialmente, tienen una comunidad latina culturalmente diversa, y los animo a encontrar su propia manera de celebrar y explorar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana.
Me complace anunciar que el sábado 23 de octubre, de 12 a 3 pm, celebraremos el Día de los Muertos en el RAC. Tendremos elaboración de alebrije, baile de bomba y más. ¡Este evento familiar gratuito no se lo deben perder!
¡Espero verte pronto en el RAC!
Un caluroso saludo de
José Rivera, Director Ejecutivo
KPFA: Anthony Gonzalez interviews Rigo 23
Anthony Gonzalez interviews artist Rigo 23 on KPFA Radio discussing the opening of Rigo’s Leonard Peltier Statue at Richmond Art Center.
Free Speech Radio!
Interview starts at 3:50mins
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=363905
Leonard Peltier’s Birthday
9/12/21
Leonard Peltier’s 77th Birthday and Reception for Rigo 23’s Time and Again
Sunday, September 12, 3pm-6pm
Richmond Art Center’s Courtyard, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804
Please join us at Richmond Art Center on Sunday, September 12 from 3pm to 6pm for a special reception to honor Leonard Peltier’s 77th birthday – the 45th he spends behind bars. Congratulations Leonard on another year of Dignified Resistance.
We will also be celebrating the opening of Rigo’s 23’s exhibition Time and Again.
Special guests Kathy Peltier, Leonard Peltier’s daughter, and Anne Begay – co-founder of American Indian Movement’s Denver chapter and Kathy’s mother – will be in attendance. As well as AIM West Executive Director Tony Gonzales and José Cuéllar (a.k.a, Dr. Loco), who will perform a flute solo.
COVID-19 Prevention protocols: This event will be held outdoors in Richmond Art Center’s courtyard. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 we are requesting all guests RSVP. Temperature checks, mask wearing, and signing a Visitor Waiver will be a condition of entry. Learn more about what RAC is doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 HERE.
Image: Kathy Peltier stands on the feet from Rigo 23’s statue of Leonard Peltier. Photo by Rio Yañez
Artist Info Session, Art of the African Diaspora
9/12/21
Sunday, September 12, 3:00PM-4:30PM ON ZOOM
Artists, join in this free info session to:
- Learn about the 2022 program
- Meet the Steering Committee members who are organizing the event
- Share feedback and ideas
- Network with other artists
- Learn how to register to participate
Read the registration guidelines and come prepared with your questions!
Click the button to RSVP!
Press Release: Time and Again
Time and Again
An exhibition of Rigo 23’s statue of Native activist Leonard Peltier
Exhibition: September 9 – November 18, 2021
Main Gallery
Richmond Art Center
2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804
Gallery Hours: Thurs 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-2pm, or by appt 510-620-6772
Richmond, CA: Richmond Art Center (RAC) is honored to present Time and Again, an exhibition centered on Rigo 23’s monumental sculptural tribute to Native American activist Leonard Peltier. Twelve feet tall, the sculpture sits at the center of the exhibition anchoring a narrative of Leonard Peltier’s 45-year long incarceration. For the first time, the sculpture will be presented alongside photographs, letters, artwork, posters and ephemera from Rigo’s archive. By sharing these, the artist invites the visitors for an intimate and informal conversation, one that illuminates the artist’s more than two decade long journey – as well as present some of the historical context which helps understand Leonard Peltier’s ongoing cruel predicament.
On Sunday September 12, a celebration will be held in honor of Peltier’s 77th birthday and attended by his daughter Kathy. Capacity is limited; contact RAC for reservations or to organize a press preview.
The sculpture (California redwood, foam, plywood, and metal) is based on a small hand-painted self portrait Leonard Peltier created in prison. The statue’s 9 x 6 foot base replicates the dimensions of a traditional prison cell. Each time the work is shown, the exhibition incorporates selections from the growing collection of photographs of supporters standing in solidarity on the statue’s feet.
Completed in 2016 and first shown at the Katzen Art Center at the American University, Washington D.C., the artwork was almost immediately censored, removed from display, and subsequently withheld from the artist for one year. The removal of the statue was in response to a bomb threat and to the University’s president receiving complaints from the FBI Agents Association – events which happened on the same day. Since its return to the artist, it has been exhibited at the Main Museum in Los Angeles (2018), SOMArts (2019) and most recently atop the roof of the San Francisco Institute of Art overlooking Alcatraz Island (2020).
The statue’s feet, which are detachable, have taken their own journey, traveling to significant sites of Native Resistance across the U.S. including Standing Rock, Alcatraz Island, Wounded Knee, Crow Dog’s Paradise, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Supporters have been invited to stand on the feet as an expression of solidarity – and be photographed. In summer 2021, Richmond Art Center also welcomed members of the community to do so.
The current exhibition includes materials such as original sketches for the banner “It’s 1999, Why is Leonard Peltier Still in Prison?” mounted outside the Berkely Art Museum; photographs from the Tate Wikikuwa Museum installed at the deYoung Museum that same year; brochure and zine from theTate Wikikuwa Museum at the Warehouse Gallery in Syracuse University where the Leonard Peltier sculpture premiered, in 2011; and historical photographs by the late Michelle Vignes documenting seminal events in the history of the American Indian Movement.
Time and Again draws a very particular circle for both Rigo and RAC. In 1996, twenty-five years ago, RAC welcomed the artist to present his first solo exhibition: Time and Time Again: A Tribute to Geronimo Ji-Jaga. The following year, upon his release from prison, Geronimo would urge the artist to continue using his art to bring to light the plight of political prisoners in the United States. The two remained close friends until Geronimo’s death in 2011. In 1999 Geronimo visited the De Young Museum, in San Francisco, for an exhibition Rigo held there dedicated to Leonard Peltier’s plight.
About the Artist: Rigo 23 has exhibited his work internationally for over 30 years placing murals, paintings, sculptures, and tile work in public situations where viewers are encouraged to examine their relationship to their community, their role as unwitting advocates of public policy, and their place on a planet occupied by many other living things. His projects have included inter-communal collaborations with Native Tribes in North and South America; long-term partnerships with political prisoners; and alliances with underrepresented and disenfranchised individuals and communities. @rigo23studio @peltierstatue #freeleonardpeltier
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
Images: (top) Design by Rigo 23; (above left) Kathy Peltier stands on the feet from the statue of Leonard Peltier, photo by Rio Yañez; (above right) Detail of statue at RAC
For more information contact:
Roberto Martinez, Curator, roberto@richmondartcenter.org
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BACK AT RAC | With Love… Issue 27
ISSUE 27
Fall Class Registration Open | Stay Focused | Mark Your Calendars | New Classes This Fall
In Memoriam
Fall Class Registration Open
In-Person Classes Return to RAC!*
Online Classes Continue
We’re reopening Richmond Art Center for in-person classes this fall. And if COVID-19 keeps us at home we have an awesome line-up of online activities planed too.
Image: Kate Godfrey created this work, Night Passage (2021), in Marisa Burman’s “Ceramics Seminar”
This Beautiful Planet
Online Artist Talk and Mural Launch THIS SATURDAY
Livestream on Youtube: Saturday, August 28, 2pm-3pm PST
Over six weeks this summer local youth artists worked with Fred Alvarado at RAC to create a collaborative mural focused on community and the environment. Join us online this Saturday as we celebrate the launch of our Barrett Avenue mural and hear from the artists about their experiences creating it.
Image: Every day we must struggle to stay focused on saving this beautiful planet, 2021
Learn more…https://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/barrett-avenue-banner/
Mark Your Calendars (Upcoming Exhibitions)
Galleries Reopen September 9!*
Fall exhibitions run September 9 through November 19, 2021. CLICK HERE to see our new gallery hours. And CLICK HERE to learn about our COVID-19 safety measures.
Time and Again
Rigo 23’s statue of Native activist Leonard Peltier comes to Richmond Art Center
More info…
Works from Home: Richmond Art Center Student Showcase
Work from our online classes celebrating our students’ achievements
More info…
Opossum Magic
Pragmatic beginnings and unexpected moments in the work of Laura Kamian McDermott, Steven Morales and Leslie Plato Smith
More info…
Summer Rites
Looking out through the lens of Richmond Youth Photographers
More info…
We must struggle to stay focused on saving this beautiful planet
A collaborative mural by Richmond Youth
More info…
In Memoriam
❤️ Hung Liu (1948 – 2021)
Remembering Hung Liu; incredible artist, vibrant person, and supporter of the arts.
Image: Hung Liu (center) at Richmond Center in 2016 with curator Jan Wurm (left) and artist Michael Hall (right) for the exhibition Making Our Mark.
Have something to share? Please email us at admin@richmondartcenter.org
Artist Registration for Art Of The African Diaspora 2022
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sunday, October, 31, 2021, 11:59PM
ARTIST INFO SESSION I: Sunday, September 12, 3:00PM-4:30PM (click HERE to register for this zoom event)
ARTIST INFO SESSION II: Saturday, October 23, 12:00PM-1:30PM (click HERE to register for this zoom event)
2022 PROGRAM*
Exhibition at Richmond Art Center: January 18 – March 19, 2022
Open Studios: Feb 26-27, Mar 5-6, Mar 12-13, 2022
Satellite Exhibitions: Throughout January, February and March
Artistic Achievement Awardee Talk: Saturday, January 22, 12:30-1:30pm
Reception: Saturday, January 22, 2-4pm
Closing Party: Saturday, March 19, 2-4pm
*We are planning an in-person event in 2022. However, all events are subject to change based on COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Be Part of the 25th Anniversary of the Bay Area Black Artists Exhibition at Richmond Art Center
Art Of The African Diaspora is a non-juried group exhibition featuring work by artists of African descent. The showcase exhibition is held at Richmond Art Center and is accompanied by self-guided open studio tours and satellite exhibitions throughout the Bay Area. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ART OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA
Questions?
For registration and exhibition questions contact: Richmond Art Center at 510.620.6772 or admin@richmondartcenter.org
For open studios and satellite exhibition questions contact: Art Of The African Diaspora Steering Committee at aotadexhibition@gmail.com or via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/artoftheafricandiaspora/
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Eligibility: Participation is open to all artists of African descent, who are 16 years or older, and who reside/work within the nine counties of the Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma).
Richmond Art Center Exhibition Artwork Requirements:
- Media: All media considered
- Artwork size:
- Wall-hanging artwork may not exceed 40 inches high and 40 inches wide (including the frame)
- 3D artwork may not exceed 40 inches in any dimension
- Artwork number: One artwork entry per artist
- New and original work: Artwork submissions must be original work created since 2018 that have not previously been exhibited at Richmond Art Center.
Registration Fee: $65
Each registered artist receives:
- Opportunity to exhibit 1 artwork at Richmond Art Center (Available until exhibition full. There is space for maximum 120 artists in the exhibition at Richmond Art Center. Once we reach capacity artists can still register to participate in satellite exhibitions, open studios and the online listings.)
- Artist listing in the Art Of The African Diaspora guide
- Artist listing in the online artist gallery
- Opportunity to participate in open studios/satellite exhibitions (Artists without a space for open studios/satellite exhibitions can request to be offered a space. Artists who do not wish to participate in open studios/satellite exhibitions may choose to opt out at the time of registration (the fee remains the same)).
Artist Ads: Optional. Artists can upgrade their Art Of The African Diaspora guide listing by purchasing a discounted ad (view the 2020 Art Of The African Diaspora Guide for ad examples):
- 1/4 page ad $50
- 1/2 page ad $80
- Full page ad $150
TERMS
- Fees: Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Photography and Image Use: Richmond Art Center and Art Of The African Diaspora reserves the right to use images of submitted artwork, and to photograph the artist, artwork and exhibition for publicity, documentation, and fundraising purposes.
- Exhibition at Richmond Art Center:
- Delivery of Artwork: Artwork must be delivered to Richmond Art Center during scheduled drop off dates: Friday, Jan 7, 2022, 11am-4pm and Sat, Jan 8, 2022, 11am-4pm. Artists who cannot drop off their artwork during these times should arrange for someone else to deliver it for them.
- Sales: For any artwork sales at Richmond Art Center: RAC’s commission on a sale is 30%; artist retains 70%.
- Pick Up: All unsold artworks must be picked up on the scheduled days: Saturday, Mar 19, 2022, 4-6pm & Monday, Mar 21, 2022, 11am-4pm
- Open Studios Participants: If an artist or venue hosts other artists, each artist must be a registered participant of Art Of The African Diaspora.
ARE YOU READY TO BEGIN YOUR REGISTRATION?
| Please note, gallery capacity for the Art of the African Diaspora exhibition at Richmond Art Center is 120 artists. Once we reach capacity, registration will remain open for artists to participate in satellite exhibitions, open studios, and the catalog and online listings. If the exhibition is full a Steering Committee member will be in touch with you to let you know. |
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sunday, October, 31, 2021, 11:59PM
This Land Is Me | With Love… Issue 26
ISSUE 26
Abstraction as Land Care | RAC News | Special Event this Thursday | Last Call | Drawing: The Grounding
Abstraction as Land Care
This Land Is Me
New Online Exhibition: July 28 – September 7, 2021
This exhibition highlights the work of three artists – Saif Senussi Azzuz, Kim Champion, and Emily Van Engel – who use abstraction to express ideas related to land care. Employing approaches that range from personal to cultural to imagined, selected works show how abstraction can be a powerful tool for exploring how we can situate ourselves within the land; a vital first step towards restoring and protecting it.
Top Images (l-r): Details for work by Saif Senussi Azzuz, Emily Van Engel, and Kim Champion
RAC News
Meet Roberto Martinez, Our New Curator!
Roberto Martinez is a curator and cultural organizer with over a decade of experience developing community-centered exhibitions and programs. At Richmond Art Center he is committed to organizing from the bottom-up and to nurturing collaboration with local communities, in order to co-create exhibitions that are relevant and uplift the voices and experiences of the Richmond community.
Richmond Art Center is reopening in September!*
Thursday, September 9 is the day our galleries reopen. In-person classes will start rolling out the following week. Stay tuned as we’ll announce our fall exhibition schedule and class schedule later this month!!
*Subject to Covid-19 rates of infection and local health and safety guidelines.
Special Event this Thursday
RichmondSpeaks
Mural Art as Resistance
Online Artists’ Talk: Thursday, August 5, 7-8pm PST
Join us this Thursday, August 5 at 7pm as photographer Robin D. López (Shots from Richmond) speaks with three artists about their recent mural projects in Richmond: Deonta Allen, Rebeca Garcia-González, and David Solnit.
Image: Climate Strike Mural. Richmond, CA, 2021. Lead Artist: David Solnit. Photo by Shots from Richmond
Last Call
Student Showcase Exhibition
Let’s see our collective creativity over the pandemic!
Deadline to Enter: Sunday, August 8, 11:59PM
All students who have taken a class or workshop at Richmond Art Center in the past year are invited to enter!
(And students, don’t forget to complete the Online Classes and Reopening Survey for your chance to win a free class!)
Image: Pandemic Sippy Cup (2020) by student Bea Hartman. Bea made this cute piece in Marisa Burman’s “Ceramic’s Seminar”.
Drawing: The Grounding
Look, Feel, Imagine
Let’s go outside and make art about us and our environment! Enjoy this free worksheet by Teaching Artist Emily Van Engel.
Top and bottom banner images: Details of Kim Champion’s drawing Pink eye purple hull peas (2020). This work is part of the new online exhibition This Land Is Me.
Have something to share? Please email us at admin@richmondartcenter.org
