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Press Release: Richmond Art Center Awarded California Arts Council “Arts Education: Extension” Grant

State funds support Richmond Art Center’s Art in the Community arts education programming

[Richmond, CA] – The California Arts Council announced its plans to award $13,500 to the Richmond Art Center as part of its Arts Education: Extension program.

As a segment of the California Arts Council Arts Education grant opportunities, Extension grants support arts education programs for PreK-12 students that operate after school and during the summer, on school sites, in artistic venues, and in community settings. The intention of the program is to offer young people sequential, hands-on training in artistic disciplines, including dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.

The funding from the California Arts Council will support Art in the Community’s after school artist residencies in West Contra Costa County Unified School District (WCCUSD) elementary schools. The 20 week residencies will take place over the course of the 2018-2019 school year, in partnership with the district’s office of expanded learning.

The Richmond Art Center is one of 169 grantees chosen for the Arts Education: Extension program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcementfrom the California Arts Council.

“The Arts Education Extension program capitalizes on the potential to create arts learning opportunities for California’s young people whenever and wherever possible,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “Projects like the Richmond Art Center’s Art in the Community program allow for the positive impacts of arts engagement to continue undeterred.”

To view a complete listing of all Arts Education Extension grantees, visit http://arts.ca.gov/programs/files/FY1718_ProjectDescriptions_AE-EXT.pdf.

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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, Richard Misrach, Wanxin Zhang, Mildred Howard, Bella Feldman, Hung Liu, William Wiley, June Schwartz, and David Park have been showcased here.

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.

About the California Arts Council: The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California’s diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Larry Baza, Phoebe Beasley, Christopher Coppola, Juan Devis, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Donn K. Harris, Louise McGuinness, Steven Oliver, and Rosalind Wyman. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

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Visit the Richmond Art Center’s website for more information: https://richmondartcenter.org/

Contact for more information:

Julie Sparenberg
Communications Director
julie@richmondartcenter.org
510-620-6772

New Documentary “The Artist in Society: Talking with Hershell West” Free Screening

Hershell West, local arts icon, is very active in the art scene of the East Bay. He was a member and later president of the board of ProArts in Oakland and the Richmond Art Center in Richmond. He served on both the Oakland Arts Commission and the Richmond Arts and Cultural Commission, for both of which he also served a term as president. He helped organize an annual exhibition, TAOLB (The Art of Living Black), one of the largest of its kind in the nation.
 
The new documentary “The Artist in Society: Talking with Hershell West” is screening is on Saturday, June 16 at 4:00pm in the Richmond Public Library’s Community Room. It is free and open to the public.
 
Read more about the film and local filmmaker Eve A Ma: http://www.artistinsociety-film.com/

Call for Entries “What Knot?” Now Open

Presented by the Richmond Art Center in partnership with the Northern California Surface Design AssociationWhat Knot? will feature contemporary art by Californian artists working with fiber and textile construction techniques, and offering new twists on traditional processes, materials and concepts. The exhibition will be juried by Camille Ann Brewer, Curator of Contemporary Art at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, D.C.

Learn more about this call for artists here.

An Interview with Phil Linhares: Small Works Juror

AN INTERVIEW WITH PHIL LINHARES
by Amy Spencer, Exhibition Director

Unlike many exhibitions juried online, the scale of the work for Small Works actually translated very well to a computer screen. Where you thinking about this as you viewed the works?

The submissions came off pretty well. Years ago I dealt with juried shows where the actual artwork was brought in. It was a real hassle. For the centennial of the San Francisco Art Institute Annual we had 16,000 artworks brought in to be juried. So for the Small Works exhibition, being that the works are a small scale, it was especially effective to see them online.

The way I jury a show is I look at everything first to understand the range. Then after looking at the whole field I go back a few times to start making selections. For Small Works we ended up with nearly 60 pieces. If we had more room in the gallery I could easily have selected more.

Some of the artists in the exhibition always work on a small scale. While others work in varying sizes and simply selected a small work to enter. What did you observe about how different artists approach scale?

Some of the works entered in Small Works looked like small works but others you could blow up to six feet and they would still work very well. In some regards art needs to justify its size. Most of the submitted artwork I did not recognize who the artist was by simply looking at the piece.

What do you think artists can learn from participating in juried exhibitions?

Juried shows give artists an opportunity to present their work in a public sphere. It gives them a line on their resume that could allow them to go beyond that venue. I think people have a lot of respect for the Richmond Art Center. It’s important for artists to show work with their peers, meet other artists, and look at new work for inspiration.

What do you learn from jurying exhibitions?

There’s always something unexpected. Something that stands out. Something I continue to think about long after the jurying is over. Looking at new art sustains me everyday.

Summer Art Camp for Kids Early Bird Discount Ends March 31!

 

 

Unleash your child’s creativity this summer! Art Camp at the RAC gives kids and teens an exciting immersion in visual art practice. Daily projects include drawing, painting, printmaking, textile arts and sculpture. Art Camp runs weekly, Monday to Friday, with a varied curriculum. Whole and half-days available, with extended hours for drop-off and pick up. Art Camp is geared to ages 5-13.

Use this coupon code (CAMP18) to sign up for an additional 10% Early Bird discount, good through March 31.

You can register online, or call our Front Desk at 510.620.6772 to sign up.

An Interview with Tomye Neal-Madison

Tomye in the Main Gallery with her current work

Tomye Neal-Madison is an exhibiting artist in this year’s Art of Living Black. She’s been showing her work in this annual show since its inception. We’re pleased to share some of her thoughts about her art and what inspires her to create. 

Please be sure to visit the gallery to see this diverse collection of African-American artists through March 8. Our galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday and are always free to the public. 

 

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Apparent Love
Ink Drawing

A. My formal Art education began learning fine Art techniques within Dobbins Technical High in Phila., PA. While living in Phila., I enhanced my scholarly and Artistic skills with employable skills of Advertising, Fashion Design, receiving a BFA from Moore College of Art and Design.  Soon after graduation, during the mid 70’s, I ventured from family and moved to San Francisco, to begin a professional Artist Life. I learned more substantial skills, Business Math Media Production, Welding & various Art programs as computers replaced hand-made imagery.  I’m fortunate my knowledge results in employability and freelance contract work.

Q. What do you find most inspiring about making art? Tell us about your current projects.  

Her Rockin’ Horse Enamel on copper

A. I’m a proponent of integration of Art with any other knowledge, as viable connections that boost retention. As a Visual storyteller, I enjoy a process of making Art which involves research, attentiveness to oral stories, looking at photographs and other references such as maps, books, documents, etc. which help me create images to remind viewers of crucial past occurrences that affect the present and future.

It seems my shift from universal subjects to my current images, have political overtones. The most recent inspirational Artworks created from Dec. 2017- Feb. 2018, are the result of having joined the National Women’s Caucus for the Arts last November. This is an organization that I felt ready to become a member. I encourage anyone to review their website and mission. I now express matters affecting “working people” which are out of kilter.   This includes the Art I’m exhibiting at the Richmond Art Center, the Pacific Pinball Museum and SpiritHaus.

Of a total different path, is my series of profiles fabricated with Fused Slumped Glass.

African Lion Mask
Fused glass

These are light expressions of one Artist supposedly meeting another.  In reality most haven’t met. This is using Artistic license.

Q. How did you become involved with the Art of Living Black? How does your work represent and uphold the tradition of this exhibition?

A. During the mid 1990’s while I was gallery director of a non-profit Center for Visual Arts, I met Jan Hart Shulyer and subsequently her friend Rae Louise Hayward. Sometime during our discussions of business and life, they told me of their desire to have TAOLB.  Once it became a reality, of course, I accepted their invitation to participate. I’ve only missed one year of the 22 years it has been presented to the public. They would be proud.

Rae and Jan only knew my Art as an interpretation of a fortunate life, encouraged by my Mom and Dad, siblings and friends. Typically, I rendered lovely portraits, pleasing renditions of musicians, children, city scenes. Since they’ve passed on, my Art reflects my life shifts from compromising, sad, taken aback, enlightenment, beautiful and now historical.  The latter, I believe would delight them in honoring their vision.

Q. What was your path to becoming an artist? Please share some of your favorite work.

Wanda as a youth in SF
Collage

A. Mom, now 92, told me that I was 6 years old when a teacher gave her a watercolor tin as a gift for me.  The teacher was impressed with my abilities.  I continue my love of Art throughout my life.  At times when my employment wasn’t Art related, I was able to exhibit and sell what I created beyond work hours.  I’m classically trained from a technical high school, obtaining a BFA degree from college and participating in workshops.

Q. Who are your inspirations?

A. Tamayo Rufino, Romare Bearden, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Gordon Parks, Claes Oldenburg, Samella Lewis, Louise Nevelson, Elizabeth Catlett, Kitagawa Utamaro, Carrie Mae Weems, Wayne Thiebaud, Andy Goldsworthy, Martin Puryear, John Wehrle, etc.

Head Chakra
Gouache on cork

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not making art?

A. Enjoying time with my buddies and friends, going to plays, movies, music performances and helping with whatever each needs.

Q. What’s on your bucket list?  

A. To live and remain healthy for at least as long as my Mom. Who knows what will be possible for me to do within 20-30 years.

Q. If you could meet one artist, living or not, who would it be and why?

A. Martin Puryear, has an awesome imagination of fabrication on a large scale. I’m moving in that direction and could be inspired by his mentorship.

Thank you, Tomye.

Meet Nisa Sanders, Our New Studio Coordinator!

Nisa is a Texas native who recently relocated to the Bay Area. Raised in a very artistic household, she is the daughter of a Jazz musician turned videographer and an Assistant Young Artist Director at a nonprofit that provides studio art programming to the San Antonio community. Nisa has a BA in Film and Media Arts from American University in Washington D.C.

After working as a Digital Media Coordinator at a Texas, nature, science and culture museum and a manager at a pop-up exhibition in San Francisco, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the arts that involved serving the community. In her free time, Nisa enjoys oil painting, drawing and watching films.

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Q. What do you find most inspiring about working in studio art?

When you know you have a tiny part in making someone feel good it is extremely gratifying. Working in Studio Art is a privilege, being surrounded by so much creative energy, seeing people’s artistic process evolve and so many different types of art being made all the time. Then the cherry on top is having the ability to get your hands dirty as well by taking a class or workshop!

Q. Tell us about your personal art practice? What artists and styles inspire you?

My mom is a teaching and practicing artist, so I had a blessed childhood filled with learning various art techniques and exploring mediums from her as well as from many other artists in the San Antonio community. In high school, I was introduced to oil painting by participating in a teen intensive program started by my mom and local artist, Rainey Rodriguez, and after struggling and I almost giving up I found my groove and I eventually fell in love with oil painting. I moved back to Texas after going to college in DC and picked up oil painting again by taking weekly classes with Rainy. I am inspired by vintage black glamour, social justice and inclusive feminism. I tend to make a lot of mood/inspiration boards before starting any artistic project no matter the medium I am working with at the time. Currently, I am working on a series of oil paintings and illustrations based off old Jet magazine covers.

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not at the Art Center?

A. Working on my art, reading a good book, exploring the Bay Area and watching a movie or tv show!

Q. What’s on your bucket list?

A. To start an artistic business with my mom, learn how to make neon signs and travel to as many places as possible.

Q. If you could meet one artist, living or not, who would it be and why?

A. This is a very hard question to answer because there are too many artists I would like to meet. If I had to choose I think it would be RuPaul because he uses his entire body and personality as his canvas and also uses his platform to give back, promote artistic expression and self-love.

Thanks, Nisa!

Meet Anna Speaker, Our New Studio Director!

A native of the Central Coast, Anna has lived all around the Bay Area since attending Sonoma State University for her BA in Art History. In that time, she has worked for several nonprofit arts organizations in the areas of exhibition, fundraising, operations and education programming, and completed a Museum Studies graduate program at John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley.

A serial dabbler in many art media including ceramics, bronze foundry, steel sculpture and printmaking, her most recent works combine mixed water-based media, sculpture and found objects. Anna is excited to add more skills to her toolkit through taking classes at the RAC!

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Q. What do you find most inspiring about working in studio art?

A. The best part about this job is seeing students learn and build their skills, and then seeing the amazing work they create with those skills. I am continually inspired by their creativity, ingenuity and passion. Don’t be surprised to see me pop my head into the classroom – it’s the best part of my day!

Q. Tell us about your personal art practice? What artists and styles inspire you?

A. I’ve worked with a lot of different media, depending on what I have access to at the time. I was wholly devoted to sculpture in college, but since then, until starting here at the RAC, I haven’t had access to the equipment and studio space to do it. Because of this, I shifted towards working on 2-D surfaces, which are a lot easier to manage on the kitchen table. I credit Stella Zhang, an artist I used to work with at another organization, for introducing me to the idea of using cheap, hardware-store materials in fine art. Now I buy the extra-large tubs of spackle. I’m most inspired by the weather-worn surfaces I see in the old parts of cities, and the surprising forms of biology under the microscope. My most jaw-dropping moment was seeing Jay De Feo’s “The Rose” at the SFMOMA.

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not at the Art Center?

A. We just bought a fixer-upper house in Vallejo, so most of my time outside of the RAC is devoted to that project. Plumbing for Dummies is my bedtime reading. We do also try to make a little time each week to explore somewhere we haven’t been in the Bay Area. We’re new to the East Bay, so the list is long!

Q. What’s on your bucket list?

A. One of these days, I am going to properly learn to play my bass guitar.

Q. If you could meet one artist, living or not, who would it be and why?

A. I learned the hard way that you should never meet your heroes, but I’d take that risk for David Bowie.

Thanks, Anna!

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Richmond Art Center
2540 Barrett Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804-1600

 

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Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm