Our partnership with RYSE Center to complete a vivid, artistic new mural at our 25th Street entrance is moving right along. Thanks to the Richmond Community Foundation, we received a mini-grant to work with our partner RYSE to completely revamp our mural. Students meet each week for several hours to work on the design they’ve created. We hope to have the project completed in the next couple of weeks, so be sure to check it out when you visit the Art Center!
Below is the original artists’ concept, designed by the participants.
“In July of 2016 the Visual Arts team at Ryse Youth Center started an incredible partnership with the Richmond Art Center. The youth started, sketched, planned, and started painting a mural at the entrance of the Richmond Art Center building with “What makes Richmond Beautiful” as the theme. There were many sessions of planning and brainstorming which sparked a lot of dialogue and ideas of how to maintain the cities beauty. The youth are very excited to add a visual voice to their cities landscape and a few of the young artists live across the street from the mural and get to enjoy it from their window. The young artists are taking a lot of pride in the learning process and it has been amazing to see their creative abilities unfold, develop and grow throughout the opportunity.” – Vanessa “Agana” Espinoza
All photos courtesy of Vanessa “Agana” Espinoza, RYSE Center.
Position: Facilities Assistant Schedule: Part-time, 16 hours/week, flexible, non-exempt Supervisor: Director of Human Resources and Operations
Essential Functions:
Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources and Operations (Director of HR/O), the Facilities Assistant is responsible for general maintenance of the Art Center’s galleries, studios and support spaces. Troubleshoots and performs minor repairs to equipment and furniture, some janitorial duties, setup and takedown of special events. Knowledge and experience of basic maintenance techniques is essential.
Responsibilities:
Make minor building repairs(including replacement of light bulbs and furniture and equipment maintenance or improvements
Assist with the prepping of art galleries for each exhibition and occasional art handling, installation of artwork and arrangement of gallery lights.
Conduct minor landscaping and clean-up in the courtyard area.
Assist with setup and takedown and cleaning of special events.
Sweep, vacuum, and mop all floors in studios, offices, galleries, halls and restrooms and coordinate the waxing of the floors as needed.
Restock all janitorial supplies in bathrooms.
Working as part of team the jobholder must be able to work under their own initiative to cope with rearranged priorities.
Interact with staff and visitors with a friendly and courteous attitude at all times.
Carrying out routine checks and inspection of facilities and equipment.
Be part of Safety Committee to follow health and safety procedures and assist with specific health and safety procedures.
Work in a safe manner and utilize tools of the trade skillfully.
Other duties as assigned by the Director of HR/O.
Qualifications:
A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for the Facilities Assistant.
Some work experience as a handyman or in a skilled trade, carpentry or electrical is desirable.
Ability to bend and stand for periods of time is needed. Ability to lift as much as 30 pounds.
Enthusiasm for the work of the Richmond Art Center
Ability to coordinate a number of activities with multiple components requiring independent follow through and attention to detail
About the Richmond Art Center:
A non-profit organization, the Richmond Art Center has provided nearly 80 years of excellence in arts education and exhibitions for the East Bay region. The Art Center’s mission is to be a dynamic arts organization that empowers and transforms individuals and the community through creative exploration, experience and education. The largest Art Center in the East Bay, the 1951 vintage modern facility is part of Richmond’s Civic Center Plaza and receives partial funding from the City of Richmond. The Art Center offers one of the most extensive schedules of exhibitions and art instruction programs in the East Bay, presenting 14 to 16 exhibitions in four galleries and providing 50-60 art classes and workshops in six studios four times a year to 400-450 students each quarter, ages 5 and up of all skill levels. In addition, the Art Center reestablished its Art in the Community program in 2012, providing after school art experiences to 17 schools and various community centers. The Art Center has over 670 members, 150 volunteers, 12 full-time and five part-time staff. The Center has an operating budget of just over $1 million. To apply, please submit the following materials via email: Resume and a cover letter introducing yourself. Also include the names and contact information for three professional references. Open until filled
Send all materials to applynow@therac.org Compensation & Benefits: $13/hr plus paid, vacation, sick & holidays.
As condition of employment the jobholder is required to complete a live scan for fingerprint clearance and a (TB) Test.
The Richmond Art Center is an equal opportunity employer, values diversity and respects differences.
Principals only. Recruiters please don’t contact this job poster.
Do NOT contact us with unsolicited services or offers
We still have spaces available in our next Professional Development for Educators workshop series!
Bring Art to Your Classroom Workshop Series
Our engaging and informative Bring Art to Your Classroom workshop series is aimed at K-6 public, charter and private educators based in West Contra Costa who are interested in integrating art into other core subject areas, such as language arts, social studies, math and science or teaching art as a stand-alone discipline. This series is offered as three consecutive Saturday workshops. They are led by teaching artists familiar with students of various backgrounds and abilities.
Upcoming Workshops
Our next Bring Art To Your Classroom Professional Development Workshop series will talk place on July 30th, August 6th and August 13th from 1-5.
If you are interested and can attend all three dates, please apply here.
Position open until filled. Hoping to hire by September 1, 2016
Richmond Art Center: The Richmond Art Center is the largest visual arts center in the East Bay, and we offer exciting arts experiences for all ages. We do this through hands-on learning, well-equipped studios, traveling Art in the Community programs and contemporary exhibitions in our galleries.
Every year, we serve thousands of students through classes and programs taught by professional artists, both onsite at the Art Center and at sites throughout Richmond. Our four galleries allow us to mount rotating exhibitions that display the works of emerging and established Bay Area artists.
Art in the Community Program: The Richmond Art Center began in 1936 with the vision of one woman devoted to sharing her love of art with the Richmond community. Today, we bring high quality art-making experiences to young people and families across Richmond and neighboring cities. Art in the Community classes:
Essential Functions: The Richmond Art Center is looking for a collaborative, experienced and self-motivated Program Coordinator to join our Education team. Our Art in the Community program is growing and we are looking to hire an additional coordinator to meet the growing demands of our sites. Under the direction of the Art in the Community Director, and working closely with the existing Coordinator, the new Coordinator’s primary responsibility is the coordination of offsite Arts Education Programs. This includes visits to sites, providing oversight of the program implementation, and supervising the teaching artists and volunteers responsible for instruction at various sites in Richmond and San Pablo. This team member also supports and helps shape the development of new relationships with collaborating organizations, the expansion of our programs, and the planning and implementation of our professional developments series for teaching artists. This wide-ranging position requires a strong commitment to equity & social justice, the ability to strategize creatively, and an outgoing and collaborative personality. The hours of position may increase over the course of this year.
Responsibilities:
In collaboration with the AIC Team, manage our partnerships with schools, community organizations and agencies which host the Art in the Community programs.
Supervise teaching artists and volunteers. Give constructive feedback and monitor instructional outcomes.
Participate in the development or revision of program policies and best practices. Make recommendations based on field experiences and program data.
Document and report on program implementation (enrollment, instruction, and compliance with agreements).
Attend and represent the AIC program at relevant partner and community meetings
Monitor teaching artist timesheets, requests for payment and/or reimbursement.
Assist in the planning and implementation of AIC professional development offerings.
Manage program tools and supplies.
Generate, review or update AIC supporting materials.
Coordinate the staffing of AIC tables at community events.
Other duties as assigned by the Art in the Community Director.
Qualifications and Dispositions:
Art program administration experience a plus
At least 3 years of Teaching Artist experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work in a range of community and program settings
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Thrives in a flexible and collaborative work environment
Ability to make independent decisions on the spot
Experience working with diverse learners across a range of age groups a plus
Experience planning/delivering professional development experience a plus
Personal creative practice a plus
East Bay resident preferred
Ability to lift 50 lbs
Access to a car for all scheduled work hours
Compensation and Benefits:
$18- $20 DOE
Vacation, sick and holidays.
Richmond Art Center membership and NARM benefits
Quarterly free class at Richmond Art Center
To apply:Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references to applynow@richmondartcenter.org
Thanks to you, our wonderful supporters, the Richmond Art Center won the top honors Parents’ Press Best of the Bay 2016 for our Arts and Crafts Summer Camp, Teen Focused Summer Camp, After-School and Enrichment Programs, and Art Classes!
We’re humbled and thrilled to receive these honors, and look forward to serving your families with even more exciting art offerings in the future. Thank you for believing in us and supporting the Art Center with your votes!
We’re excited to announce that we’ve received a Summer mini-grant through the Richmond Community Foundation and will be partnering with RYSE Youth Center to design and create a new mural on the ramp wall of our 25th Street Entrance.
As a part of our planning process we want to include the voices and ideas of the RAC community. Please follow this link: http://goo.gl/forms/QlalsCOXyAoaIIwE2
to answer the question “What makes Richmond beautiful?”
We hope you’ll include your input and join us for the unveiling in early Fall (details to be announced).
Warmly,
Dominique Enriquez, Studio Education Director, and
Summer art camps in and out of the Art Center were abuzz with exploration. Our in-house camps featured classes in ceramics, comic book illustration and glass-blowing. Our Art in the Community Camp finished up their STEAM camp with a trip to the Exploratorium to see the Strandbeests and a presentation of recycled masks and costumes created under the guidance of teaching artist Sofie Siegmann.
Scenes from an Exhibition: Thank you to Dolby Chadwick Gallery for these images of Terry St. John and his exhibition, Close Views and Distant Vistas. Our Annual Members Show and Our Town complete our summer offerings at the Art Center. Please come down Tuesday through Saturday to see some wonderful art!
About the interviews: The Richmond Art Center is fortunate and proud to work with a diverse and growing number of artists and teachers who work with our students at the Art Center as well as in our local communities. We want to share some of these wonderful people with you, to inspire your own artistic path, take a class, or learn more. See all of our interviews here.
In this interview, meet Jan Langdon, who has been the heart of our Weaving Studio for 16 years! She is retiring at the end of July and we thank her for her many years of devotion and inspiration she’s given to the Art Center and all of her students. If you’d like to see more of Jan’s work, we’re excited to announce that she will be a 2017 Members Show Spotlight artist.
Bio: Jan began weaving after reading “Silas Marner” while in high school in the 1950s. Her parents bought a loom from some “people in the country,” and with help from an experienced weaver , she started what has become a life-long pursuit. After high school, Jan attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art for two years, and then spent a summer at Haystack Mountain School. Jan studied with Lili Blumeneau, Anni Albers and Jack Lenor Larsen. She spent time in studios in Boston, Ogunquit, ME, then in Palo Alto before going to “The Weavers” shop in Berkeley in the early 1960’s, when she also began teaching classes.
Q. What do you find most inspiring about teaching art?
A. What inspires me about teaching are the mutual challenges shared between students and teachers. It becomes a transformative experience.
Q. How did you become involved with the Richmond Art Center?
A. In 2000 I had just left San Francisco City College after a decade of teaching. The Richmond Art Center weaving department needed a teacher and I was aware of the splendid studio room and equipment. That was 16 years ago when I accepted the position and I’ve enjoyed teaching every year.
Q. Please tell us about the Richmond Art Center’s Weaving Studio and why it’s so special!
A. One important feature is the additional studio time available outside of class time. It not only means larger projects are attempted, it encourages a community between between those students able to take advantage of the additional hours. I feel privileged to have had students of great diversity and dedication continuing to learn to make good textiles with me at Richmond. It’s an experience that is very important to me.
Q. What was your path to becoming an artist? Please share some of your favorite work.
A. I was influenced by my older sister who was pursuing a college art degree during my high school years. Her drawings, paintings and books were a big window on the art world for me. Meanwhile, I was very much always “making something” on my own. Sewing was a strong early interest.
Q. Who are your inspirations?
A. Contemporary fiber artists. The North American Indian textiles. Tribal art, especially fiber and cloth. I did not study with Ed Rossbach but his work is at the top of my appreciation list. Lillian Elliot was a friend in my 60s Berkeley years. I was a big fan of her work. Currently, I like conferring with Peggy Osterkamp over weaving questions and I admire the approach Carole Beadle presents in her teaching.
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not at the Art Center?
A. I live near the Pt. Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay wetland so I walk and hike trails close to my home.
Q. What’s on your bucket list?
A. Trying to reduce clutter in my life! I am spending creative time sorting through past information…I need a BIG yard sale.
Q. If you could meet one artist, living or not, who would it be and why?
A. That’s too difficult to imagine! Work and personality are two different aspects to consider. Work speaks to me.
Thank you, Jan, for your interview, and for the years of artistic inspiration you’ve given to the students at the Richmond Art Center.
Thank you for participating in our first-ever Art Bank: Investing in Art Futures, aka a fabulous week of fundraising!
Because of your generosity, we successfully matched our two anonymous grants and exceeded our week’s goal. We raised over $4500 through our online donation platform, and through direct donations at the center by cash and check. Combined with our matching grants, that means we raised a total of $7250!
Your donations go directly into supporting our Studio Education, Exhibitions, and Art in the Community programs, which also include our free events, artists talks and performances, and scholarship programs. Thanks to you, the Richmond Art Center continues to fulfill its mission of providing transformative, inspiring experiences to thousands of individuals and our community through creative exploration, experience and education.
During this week, we also connected with teaching artists, students, parents, Board members and other unsung champions of the Art Center. A number of donations were made in honor of our longtime weaving instructor Jan Langdon, who will be retiring after 15 years at the Art Center. Jan is an outstanding educator and an inspiration to her students, and we feel very fortunate to have worked with her for so many years.
This fundraiser shows that art matters to you as much as it does to us, and that together we can help shape the future of the Richmond Art Center. Let us continue to create art, to be inspired and to make our marks this year!
With huge thanks from the Development team and everyone here at the Richmond Art Center,
This year, we are proud to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Richmond Art Center. Your enduring support has helped propel the Art Center into unprecedented levels of growth across all three major program areas: Studio Education, Exhibitions, and Art in the Community. We cannot do this vital work without your help.
Over this past week, we’ve highlighted aspects of what makes the Richmond Art Center an enduring Bay Area treasure, with one unifying question: What mark will YOU make?Are you a painter, an illustrator, a ceramicist, a jeweler, a printmaker, a sculptor, a weaver, or someone else entirely? How do you make your mark at the Art Center and join the generations of art enthusiasts who have helped grow the Art Center into the dynamic institution it is today?
Whether you can give today with a donation to end our fiscal year in green, or contribute your time as a volunteer, or take a weekend workshop with us—your support matters. Together, we can make an enduring mark—a legacy for the next generation of artists and creative thinkers and contribute to a place where artmaking thrives.
Four Gold Stars for the Richmond Art Center!
Bio: Jan began weaving after reading “Silas Marner” while in high school in the 1950s. Her parents bought a loom from some “people in the country,” and with help from an experienced weaver , she started what has become a life-long pursuit. After high school, Jan attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art for two years, and then spent a summer at Haystack Mountain School. Jan studied with Lili Blumeneau, Anni Albers and Jack Lenor Larsen. She spent time in studios in Boston, Ogunquit, ME, then in Palo Alto before going to “The Weavers” shop in Berkeley in the early 1960’s, when she also began teaching classes. 
