With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Michael Stephens, a grant-writing extraordinaire whose wit, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to nonprofits enriched the lives of many. Michael passed away peacefully last week in Oregon, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades and touches countless people.
A longtime resident of Point Richmond, Michael’s career in grant writing spanned nearly 50 years. His expertise and passion for the arts were evident in his work with the Taos, NM Museum, Cal Shakes, The Berkeley Rep, Stagebridge, Opera Parallele, and Richmond Art Center, to name just a few. His efforts were instrumental in securing funding for these organizations during extremely challenging times.
I had the pleasure of working closely with Michael at Stagebridge and Richmond Art Center, where his presence was indispensable. His brilliance shone through in his work, but it was his humor and lovable curmudgeon ways that endeared him to all who knew him.
Michael is survived by his son and grandchildren in Austin, Texas. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. As we reflect on his life and legacy, let us remember Michael for the laughter, light, and love he brought into the world of nonprofits and all who benefited from it. Rest in peace, dear friend.
José Rivera, Executive Director
Top image: Michael Stephens (right) with Sadie Harmon
During our 2024 Membership Drive, we’re hosting a class giveaway. Five randomly selected individuals will win a free class of their choice during the fall 2024 semester.*
Already a member? No worries. Any donation over $40 made during May or June 2024 will also automatically enter you into the drawing.
Winners will be announced in July 2024!
*TERMS: Members who join or renew in May or June 2024, as well as donors who contribute over $40 during May or June 2024, are eligible to win. Winners to be announced in July 2024. Winners must redeem their free class during the fall 2024 semester. Classes are available until full. Not applicable to workshops.
Richmond Art Center seeks applicants for artist residency, board
By Kathy Chouteau
The Richmond Art Center (RAC) is offering opportunities for a residency for one special artist and board positions for those wishing to support local art.
The Richmond Artist Residency enables an “emerging or mid-career artist to pursue their creative work, while also engaging with the community in Richmond,” according to the RAC. The center is additionally seeking community-minded folks who live or work in Richmond to serve three-year terms on its Board of Directors in support of its work.
Richmond Artist Residency
Applications for the artist residency are due by Friday, May 24. The residency runs from October 2024 to May 2025 and comes with an $8,000 stipend, 250 square foot dedicated studio for 8 months and opportunities to teach, exhibit, take classes and develop strategies for community-based arts programming. The selected artist will also receive competitive hourly rates for their teaching time.
Those who have a strong connection to Richmond and who are bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Mandarin are especially encouraged by the RAC to apply for the residency, as well as artists who are open to learning the best practices for community engagement. The center is being supported by the National Endowment for the Arts to make this opportunity possible. Learn more and apply here.
Board of Directors
A variety of volunteers are sought, including people who live/work in Richmond, are artists, love the RAC, have accounting/bookkeeping expertise, legal experience, are experienced fundraisers and other leaders who may want to become president/VP someday.
Board meetings are typically held on Zoom or in-person and its members help the RAC as ambassadors at evening and weekend events, by contributing their knowledge and expertise and supporting the center financially as is possible. Learn more here and reach out to jose@richmondartcenter.org to indicate your interest along with a brief bio, if possible.
If you are passionate about art and the community then joining our board might be for you!
Richmond Art Center’s board plays an important role in supporting and guiding the organization. Different individual board members bring different experience, skills, knowledge and connections to their Board work.
People who live and/or work in Richmond, who are community-minded and thoughtful about how Richmond Art Center could better serve the community in and around Richmond
Artists and others who know and love Richmond Art Center
People with accounting/bookkeeping expertise with the potential to serve on the board finance committee and/or as board teasurer
A lawyer (for the general knowledge and issue-spotting ability lawyers tend to have)
People who can help us raise money for Richmond Art Center
Leaders with the potential to be board vice president and president in the future
What can you expect?
Board members attend board meetings (mostly held via Zoom, sometimes in-person), act as ambassadors at select evening and weekend events, give of their expertise and wisdom and make a personal financial contribution to the extent that they can. A Board member’s term is three years, with a two-term limit. Service on the Board of Directors is unpaid.
To volunteer / apply:
Contact jose@richmondartcenter.org who will forward to the chair of the board nominations committee.
A CV/resumé/brief bio would be appreciated but is not necessary.
Top image: Eli Africa’s interactive mural in the WCCUSD Student Art Show 2024
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
FREE
Learn about Art of the African Diaspora in 2025! All artists interested in participating in the event, as well as those who have already registered, are invited.
Meet the Steering Committee members who are organizing the event
Celebrate Light and New Beginnings through Art! Saturday, April 27, 2024, 12pm-3pm | FREE Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond Event webpage: richmondartcenter.org/familyday
Richmond, CA: We’re gathering on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 12pm to 3pm, to celebrate light and new beginnings through art-making at Spring Family Day. Come join the fun!
Family Day offers a variety of drop-in art-making activities to celebrate the season. Make Spring Equinox affirmation cards with artist Shani Ealey, or print from the sun exploring cyanotype processes with Vivianna Carlos. Other activities are lantern making with Julia La Chica, and a community mural led by Maggie Burns.
Visitors can also listen to live music by Jazz and Soul, and enjoy sliders by Artisan Kitchen. Inside our galleries, the WCCUSD Student Art Show features a jumbo interactive coloring-in wall by Eli Africa.
This free event is open to kids of all ages and their grown-ups. No rsvp is necessary. Richmond Art Center is located at 2540 Barrett Avenue in Richmond.
Accessibility and Parking: Ample free parking is available in the 25th Street lot across the street from Richmond Art Center. The facility is accessible to wheelchair users via the Barrett Avenue entrance, adjacent to a parking lot with six accessible spaces. Parking and Entrance Map
About Richmond Art Center: For over 80 years, Richmond Art Center has served the residents of Richmond and surrounding communities through studio arts education programs, exhibitions, off-site classes, and special initiatives for community-wide impact. Richmond Art Center’s mission is to be a catalyst in Richmond for learning and living through art. richmondartcenter.org
For more information contact: Amy Spencer, amy@richmondartcenter.org
Top Artwork: Family Day participants in 2023 work on a community mural project led by Luis Garcia Above Photos: Visitors to Richmond Art Center work on our jumbo coloring-in wall by Eli Africa.
About the Program: The Youth Artist Xchange is a series of free summer intensive classes. The program gives middle and high school students, as well as young adults (up to 24 years), in-depth, hands-on arts learning experiences in our studios led by professional artists.
How to Join:
Available classes are listed below (click the LEARN MORE button to see the class schedules)
Prospective students are invited to complete a short online application to let us know their arts interests and class preferences.
Learn how public art is a powerful tool for community building. A cohort of twelve young artists (ages 14-24) will create a collaborative mural project with artists Fred Alvarado and Keena Azania Romano. Los Artistas Maestros hablan español.
In this class, you’ll learn how designers and artists use 3D modeling software (CAD programs) to turn their ideas into physical realities like art, cars, jewelry, buildings, toys, tools and more! Using the online program Tinkercad, you will learn how to model in 3D and print your own ideas using a 3D printer! What will you create? All materials and tools are included. This class is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
Dreams of Liberated Futures: A Zine & Printmaking Series
An intensive six-week summer class (with 12 sessions) for 8-12 youth (ages 14-24) that combines hands-on visual arts learning with storytelling. Taught by artist Shani Ealey, the class is rooted in traditional African Indigenous wisdom to provide inspiration for students to explore visual storytelling through zinemaking. Students will then develop illustration and storyboarding skills through the creation of zines as a way to express their ideas, especially related to complicated concepts such as liberation, power, and our connection to the earth.
Learn the art of storytelling through filmmaking! Participants will explore the language of creating visual narratives using professional filmmaking processes. From storyboarding and directing to shooting and editing, students will gain hands-on experience in crafting their own short movies. All materials and tools are included. This class is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
Do you love glass beads? Ever wonder how they’re made? Join us and get started making your own glass beads! Students will receive an overview of glass history, safety, and technology. They will then get to explore how to sculpt, manipulate and finish the media using professional glassworking tools. Class time is balanced with safety procedures, demonstrations, and plenty of time for hands-on work. All materials included.
Learn how to sculpt your creative vision in clay as functional and nonfunctional ceramic art. Students will learn foundational handbuilding techniques like making coils, slab construction, to more technical skills from clay pinching methods to glaze application and how to finish your artwork. All materials and tools are included. This is a youth space for ages 13 to 17.
Richmond Art Center (courtyard), 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
FREE
Richmond Art Center is excited to be one of the participating venues for Richmond Open Studios. Open Studio artists who will be at Richmond Art Center on August 17 are:
Hear about the journeys from San Quentin Arts Studio to Art Hazelwood’s studio in Richmond, and to Diablo Valley College for live steamroller printing.
Saturday, August 10, 11am-1pm
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA
FREE
Join us for a conversation with JUST ARTISTS, a group of teaching artists and program alumni from the William James Association’s San Quentin Prison Arts Project. The artists will discuss their Taking Liberties print series, currently on view in the West Gallery.
Galleries open at 10am. Come early for an informal reception and to meet the artists. The program starts at 11am with an artist talk followed by a print demo.
JUST ARTISTS: Henry Frank, Nicola Bucci, Gary Harrell, Isiah Daniels, Felix Lucero, Katya McCulloch, Beth Thielen, Art Hazelwood
Henry Frank is a descendant of the great indigenous nations of the Yurok and Pomo Tribes. He is a returning resident, former Arts In Corrections participant/clerk, and currently working for the William James Association as the Communications Director and Teaching Artist at California Medical Facility (CMF). He uses his art to amplify the voices of people of color (specifically Native Americans), people who are currently experiencing incarceration, and returning residents (aka formerly incarcerated) to expose the mistreatment, dehumanization, and desolation.
Felix Lucero is of Mexican descent, a William James Association board member, a Returning Resident, a sheet-metal worker, a husband and father. He is a visual artist, specifically a block printer. He produces museum quality prints and has prints in the Library of Congress. He is a prolific writer and a self-taught guitarist.
Mwasi Fuvi was born in Springfield Mass. – a runaway who faced the adversities of the streets alone, searching for beauty in a world of loneliness and heartbreaks. Throughout he shows these struggles and beauty. He reveals the loneliness and the heart aches that he has endured. With a stroke of his brush he made the tears he shed disappear, the sadness he felt he turned to laughter, and his pangs turned into rains of a warm summer day. He can change day to night and paint a heaven from hell. No matter where he came from in life, his destination is only as great as his imagination.
Beth Thielen has worked with incarcerated and at risk populations for over 30 years. Her work and the work of her students are represented in the Library of Congress, the Getty Research Institute, the Hammer Museum. Houghton Library at Harvard, Yale University, as well as other public and private collections. She is the recipient of awards from the Puffin Foundation, the Kalliopeia Foundation, and is a Blue Mountain Center and Rauschenberg fellow. She currently resides in Fresno California.
Katya McCulloch, Director of TeamWorks Art Mentoring Program, is a community artist whose work, and collaborative works with students, are exhibited internationally and in private and public collections including the Library of Congress, UC Berkeley, Emory University, Stanford University, among other special collection libraries. As TeamWorks founding artist, she has made art with justice system involved youth in Marin County for 20 years. She has created community murals and public art in a wide variety of unconventional settings: Music Outback Foundation (Australia), Marin County Fair “Public Art Days”, Italian Street Painting Festival. Katya has 20 years of experience teaching printmaking at San Quentin State Prison through the William James Association Prison Arts Project.
Gary Harrell is aesthetic pleasing to the eyes. He is 69 years young. He is always thinking about his next project.
JUST ARTISTS who unfortunately cannot attend the event:
Art Hazelwood recently received the Art is A Hammer award for political printmaking from the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. This lifetime achievement award was previously given to artists including Jos Sances, Juan Fuentes and Emory Douglas. The obsession through which he’s worked as an artist is in searching out ways and means for art to have value in society; political, personal and cultural.
Nicola Bucci, an artist passionate about community outreach, expressing through surrealism, using life experiences, and spreading joy through art.
