As the Richmond Art Center celebrated its 80th Anniversary year, it prepared a major exhibition in tribute to its history and its mission. The exhibition, Making Our Mark, looked to artists who have had a history with the Art Center: artists who have exhibited, supported, and enriched the programs over the years. In selecting these artists, we reflected on the scope of interest—media as richly varied as painting, ceramics, fiber, sculpture, and photography—and themes as diverse as the cultural backgrounds at the foundation of the community.
We also asked each of the invited artists to put forward a younger artist: someone whom they have taught or mentored or whose work they have felt should be shown and promoted. This, too, is in line with our history and our mission—giving voice to new artists and opening the galleries to new visions. Some of the invited artists, including Jim Melchert, Hung Liu, Squeak Carnwath, and Lia Cook, had their very first exhibitions at the Richmond Art Center and have over the years served as the core of the Bay Area art community, teaching, mentoring, and lighting a path for younger artists. And for some of the younger artists, this exhibition presents one of the first major showings of their work. Turning our attention to materiality, the environment, systems of power and inequality, these artists have followed different modes of expression with a common passion for their art.
As the Richmond Art Center celebrated its 80th Anniversary year, it prepared a major exhibition in tribute to its history and its mission. The exhibition, Making Our Mark, looked to artists who have had a history with the Art Center: artists who have exhibited, supported, and enriched the programs over the years. In selecting these artists, we reflected on the scope of interest—media as richly varied as painting, ceramics, fiber, sculpture, and photography—and themes as diverse as the cultural backgrounds at the foundation of the community.
We also asked each of the invited artists to put forward a younger artist: someone whom they have taught or mentored or whose work they have felt should be shown and promoted. This, too, is in line with our history and our mission—giving voice to new artists and opening the galleries to new visions. Some of the invited artists, including Jim Melchert, Hung Liu, Squeak Carnwath, and Lia Cook, had their very first exhibitions at the Richmond Art Center and have over the years served as the core of the Bay Area art community, teaching, mentoring, and lighting a path for younger artists. And for some of the younger artists, this exhibition presents one of the first major showings of their work. Turning our attention to materiality, the environment, systems of power and inequality, these artists have followed different modes of expression with a common passion for their art.
About Dawline-Jane’s work: “I am an Oakland-based visual artist whose current work is focused primarily on the urban landscape. An avid observer and prolific photographer, I employ a vast catalog of visual notes and memories to create my work. A lover of materials and process, I uses a range of media including relief print making, watercolor, pen and ink and encaustic. I make work that ranges from lighthearted illustration work to bold relief prints. Strategic use of color and composition are important parts of my work.”
Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh is a New York native who currently calls the Bay Area Home. She attended the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Art and Science in Manhattan. Her work has been exhibited across the Bay Area and as far way as Japan.
54th Annual Holiday Arts Festival Is Richmond Art Center’s Largest Community Event of the Year Richmond favorite festival hosts 50+ artisan vendors, local nonprofit community partners, gourmet food trucks and a silent auction.
RICHMOND, CA — November 4, 2016—On Sunday, December 4, 2016, the largest community event and fundraiser for the Richmond Art Center returns for its 54th year, with over 50 local artists and artisan collectives participating. This year’s Holiday Arts Festival is on track to be a exciting experience, with many new artist vendors added to the roster, and gourmet food trucks and food vendors on site. Art collectors mark the day as an opportunity to bid on collectible, prized works by notable Bay Area artists. This year, the festival has expanded to present and give visibility to nonprofit partners with the Richmond Art Center, which include Rosie the Riveter Trust, Girls Inc. of West Contra Costa, NIAD Art Center, and RYSE Youth Center.
“The Holiday Arts Festival is a long-standing annual tradition that really brings the East Bay arts community together,” says Ric Ambrose, Executive Director. “This festival not only celebrates and showcases the talents of many local artists, but it allows a larger community to appreciate, own, and gift handmade art. We enjoy this annual opportunity to bring many new people to the Art Center so they can learn what we’re all about, and to gather with our longtime students and supporters.”
The festival opens its doors to the public at 11am and ends at 5pm at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue in Richmond, CA. Attendees will be able to decorate their own canvas tote bag, perfect for shopping or carrying art supplies, create their own handmade terrariums, bid on silent auction items, mingle with many local artists and Richmond Art Center art instructors, and learn more about what’s happening in the Richmond nonprofit community. All within a few steps of great meals served up by Curbside Kitchen and Opie’s Gourmet Stacked Burgers.
To see the list of vendors and community partners participating in this event, please visit the Holiday Art Festival’s web page as it will be continuously updated with current information: https://richmondartcenter.org/holiday-arts-festival/
About the Richmond Art Center:
The Richmond Art Center is the largest visual arts center in the East Bay, delivering exciting arts experiences to young and old alike who reflect the diverse richness of our community. The Art Center features hands-on learning, well-equipped studios, Art in the Community programs and contemporary exhibitions in its galleries.
Every year, the Richmond Art Center serves thousands of students through classes and programs taught by professional artists, both onsite at the Art Center and at sites throughout Richmond. The Art Center’s four galleries mount rotating exhibitions that display the works of emerging and established Bay Area artists. Artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, Jay DeFeo, Wanxin Zhang, Hung Liu, William Wiley and Peter Voulkos have been showcased here.
Now celebrating its 80th anniversary, 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 at the Art Center continues to breathe life into Salmi’s original vision: That within every person lives an artist.
Looking to add some creativity to your holidays? Or perhaps you want to make some gifts to give this season? Check out these holiday-themed one-day workshops and sign up soon!
Family Holiday Workshop: Gingerbread & Printmaking
Get ready for the holidays with some art making fun! Parents and children are invited to create fun and festive projects together including a Gingerbread sculpture to help kick off the holiday season. You’ll enjoy using a variety of materials and supplies.
Print Your Own Holiday Cards (Adults)
Looking for something unique to send out to friends and family this holiday season? Join us for this one day workshop to design and create your own holiday card using a variety of materials and techniques. No experience necessary!
Gifting From The Heart
Often, making something for someone else can free us up to access our own authentic creativity. Join us for this workshop to prepare two paintings to give as gifts or to get a jump on your own creative practice.
Felted Holiday Ornaments (Adults)
Create something special this holiday season and make your own felted holiday ornament. You’ll learn a simple and fun felting technique and come away with your own festive ornament to celebrate the holidays.
About Rebeca’s work: “I am a Richmond resident, a representational painter working from life and depicting East Bay landscapes and their people.
Rebeca is a Puerto Rican visual artist who completed her BFA at the University of Puerto Rico. Originally a printmaker, she taught herself painting after she came to live in California 30 years ago.
It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Art Center. As we close our celebrations of 80 years this year — and begin to look forward, we continue to ask ourselves, “What does it mean to be a community arts space in Richmond?” For us that means taking a closer look at our long, rich history, exploring how we connect with our community and finding ways to do it better.
We continue to strive for the Art Center to be a space where all feel welcome — whether you’re a first time visitor, someone trying out a workshop or class for the first time, or a long-time returning student. The Education Office is conveniently located right at the Studio/25th Street entrance. Lukaza, Marisa, and I are here for you — to lend a helping hand and provide support in ways we can.
And with the new year, we’re embracing a new look for our class catalog, a tree-friendly version — which acts as a simple brochure with additional details on our website. We’ll be sharing an online version of this new catalog after November 9, and we’re very excited for you to get a peek at our Winter quarter classes. You can register for classes and workshops on November 29.
We look forward to seeing you around the Art Center this quarter!
This year’s vibrant Fall Family Day, Skeletonfest, welcomed almost 350 people to the Art Center. Focused on traditional arts associated with Dia de los Muertos, kids and grownups enjoyed making paper flowers, mini pinatas, metal milgros and Calavera hats. DJ Agana kept the mood lively and we were so proud to share our space with so many of our RAC family members. Read more from the Richmond Standard, 4Richmond, Richmond Confidential, and check out even more photos on our Facebook page.
Celebrate the Fall and upcoming Day of the Dead at the Richmond Art Center with an afternoon full of fun and art-making for all ages. Make Calavera hats with Dawn Gonzales, mini honoring pinatas with Isaías Rodríguez, paper flowers with Lisa diPrima, and milagros and nichos with Malena Lopez-Maggi and Taylor Zarkades King. This event is free and open to all ages. Create and honor with us!
Back to school also means back to school for art. Check out these great class offerings for kids and teens to add creativity and color to their week! You can register online via the links below.
Calder Circus (Ages 6 – 8): Be inspired by the magic of Alexander Calder’s 1927 Circus to create dioramas, small wooden figures, animals and other fantastical creatures. We will work in variety of mediums including clay, found materials, fabric and paint.
Forms in Clay (Ages 8 – 11): Work with clay! In this class, young artists will learn a variety of techniques for making functional vessels in clay.
Home School (Ages 6 – 10): Students engage diverse art making approaches utilizing painting, clay, and drawing.
RICHMOND, CA — November 4, 2016—On Sunday, December 4, 2016, the largest community event and fundraiser for the Richmond Art Center returns for its 54th year, with over 50 local artists and artisan collectives participating. This year’s Holiday Arts Festival is on track to be a exciting experience, with many new artist vendors added to the roster, and gourmet food trucks and food vendors on site. Art collectors mark the day as an opportunity to bid on collectible, prized works by notable Bay Area artists. This year, the festival has expanded to present and give visibility to nonprofit partners with the Richmond Art Center, which include 
Dear Art Center Family,
