NIAD Art Center

Today, we highlight the comic-strip inspired work of Nathan Lam. The artist shares, I am interested in vintage ads and comics, which I look up on the internet as a resource. I like looking at things through a historical lens. Some social norms are the same and some are different. Sometimes I like to mock social norms that don’t age well.... You can see more from Nathan Lam in our online gallery, we think you’ll really enjoy what you find. Image Description: Role Reversal Potpourri: The Smoking Section graphite on paper, 11 x 8.5 unique 2022 by Nathan Lam #NathanLam #SundayComics #NIADArtCenter

Hey, what are you up to today? Why not come out to Richmond and check out this wonderful exhibition currently @richmondartcenter Dreamforms is a two-person exhibition featuring works by Lauren Ari and NIAD Studio Artist Julio Del Rio. A vibrant collection of sculptures and works on paper from two Richmond locals, you won’t be disappointed! Gallery open 10-2 today. Want to see more works from Julio Del Rio? Follow the link in our bio to find our Win Win 10 Silent Auction ...page where you can place a bid on a Del Rio ceramic! Image Description: a look at the layout of Dreamforms in one of the Richmond Art Center’s galleries. Framed works and sculptures on shelves hang on white walls. In the center of the room are white pedestals that hold various sculptures. #RichmondArtCenter #NIADArtCenter #LaurenAri #JulioDelRio

The transition to remote working has been deeply emotional, & we can feel the love in Luis Estrada‘s tender drawing of the NIAD studio building beneath a sky full of weather predictions. [image 1 description: artist Luis Estrada holds up a marker drawing of a magenta building labeled NIAD, and gestures with one hand toward a round symbol drawn above it on the page. There are numbers and words indicating times and weather conditions written across the paper sky. image 2: a photograph of the entrance to NIAD, a magenta building with glass doors, an awning, and a figurative mural along the top of the wall. The letters NIAD are stacked on the far right of the facade. Blushing succulents creep in from the left foreground of the photo, and our blue logo is superimposed on the bottom right.]

Find your way to our new online exhibition, Perfect Memory Selected by Justin Clifford Rhody! Justin chose this iconic painting by #SaulAlegria + many other works on paper, united by a quote from Martha A. Sandweiss: Our engagement with the picture, our questioning of it, shapes and defines the ways we draw meanings from it. Pictures tell stories only to the extent that we ask them to; and as our questions change, those stories do as well. Click the link in the commen...ts to view this unforgettable collection + thank you Justin Clifford Rhody! image: mixed media on paper 120 x 26 (D8628) by Saul Alegria [alt-text description: An image from our gallery webstore of a painting on paper. The scene is set like a still life, and has a vibrant pastel orange background that surrounds an object or pile of objects that take up most of the foreground. The objects can be described as looking similar to a peach connected to a clipping of twigs sprouting at either end with long flopping leaves. One might also interpret the object as a pair of carrots balanced on a ball. The central round form is pale yellow, and it connects by a stem to the grey-brown twigs. Long olive green leaves extend out and down from either end of the twig to flank the yellow orb and then trail off the bottom edge of the paper. The paint is applied evenly across the surface of the paper, making the forms flatten into a crisp symbol of the object (or objects) they may represent.]

there’s still time to peruse our current online exhibition, Bookends selected by Ellen Lake Click the link in the comments to view the whole collection, which includes this ceramic text piece by Sara Malpass image: time glazed ceramic, 4x10x0.5 (S2268) by Sara Malpass. ... [alt-text description: a photo from our web store of an orange ceramic word against a stark white background. the word time written in cursive script has been cut out of a slab of clay and painted in a glossy orange hue.]

Want to keep up with everything happening at NIAD? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter by following the link in the comments! Here’s a snippet about our involvement in SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's Mini Mural Festival + more, penned by our Executive Director Amanda Eicher: Dear Lovers of NIAD, This week studio facilitators Andres Cisneros and Nan Collymore joined a small group of NIAD studio artists in NIAD's courtyard to start work on a mural commission for... SFMOMA's Mini Mural Festival. Another five NIAD studio facilitators met artists in parks, backyards, front porches, and other open spaces to dance, paint, sew, and draw. It's hard to convey how thrilling it is to see each other face to face again. These first in person experiments are giving life to the hard work of designing a full return to NIAD's 23rd Street studios in the fall. In the art world at large, there are more and more opportunities to connect with NIAD's artists, staff, and community. In Oakland, First Fridays are live again, and the first exhibition in Rock Paper Scissors Collective's new gallery space features 9 NIAD staff members and studio artists, including the show's organizer, Amber Avalos. In San Francisco, Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, a former NIAD studio facilitator, curated an exhibition at Southern Exposure, "We use our hands to support." And in Los Angeles, Tierra del Sol Gallery upcoming exhibition, Architecting California," features longtime NIAD studio artist, Sylvia Fragoso, in an exhibition with artists from Creative Growth, Creativity Explored, Tierra del Sol, and ECF. Until we see you on 23rd Street, we hope to connect with you at one of these incredible shows! In community, Amanda Eicher image: a photo collage of artists drawing in NIAD’s garden while wearing masks. Top row features Luis Estrada, Esmeralda Silva, and Miguel Chacon; middle circle-framed image shows Jonathan Valdivias; and bottom row highlights Julio Del Rio and Deatra Colbert. #LuisEstrada #EsmeraldaSilva #MiguelChacon #JulioDelRio #DeatraColbert #JonathanValdivias"

Cuando era una niña, tenía una pequeña muñeca. La muñeca vestía con un vestido amarillo y su piel era color café como mi piel. Yo jugaba con la muñeca como si fuera mi hija, y jugábamos a que comíamos juntas: tacos, pollo y arroz, y un poquito de pastel. ...He hecho muñecas con vestidos amarillos y flores rojas en ellas. Necesito más flores. Necesito flores para la nariz y otra para la barbilla y las dos mejillas. También quiero cuatro flores rojas y una amarilla. Las pienso... coser en mi próxima cobija con una muñeca, sobre el vestido y como ojos de cada pájaro en la tela. When I was a child, I had one small doll. She wore a yellow dress and the skin was brown like mine. I played with the doll like it was my kid, and we’d play like we were eating food: tacos, chicken and rice, a little bit of cake. ...I’ve made dolls in yellow dresses with red flowers on them. I need more flowers. I need a flower for the nose and another for the chin and both cheeks. I also want four red flowers and a yellow one. I’ll sew them on my next doll quilt, on the dress and over the eyes of each bird on the cloth. - Maria Radilla shares a childhood memory that continues to shape her exquisite textile practice today. image: unique embroidered textile featuring birds, flowers, and a bright-eyed doll with a flower apron, 30x28 (F0400) #MariaRadilla

As our Virtual Studio program continues, new artwork makes its way to our physical Studio space in Richmond. Here’s a look at some of the incredible pieces being made from home. 1. View of studio wall displaying several works on paper by NIAD Studio Artists.... 2. Marker on blue paper by Luis Estrada 23 x 18 3. Graphite on paper by Julio Del Rio 11 x 14 4. Graphite on paper by Alan Perez 19 x 24 5. Acrylic and ink on paper by Saul Alegria 11 x 15 6. Marker on paper by Carlota Rodriguez 23 x 18 7. Colored pencil on paper by Julie MacDonald 11 x 14 You can find more works from each artist by following the link in the comments to our online gallery!

Today is a great day to swing by and check out our latest Windows Exhibition; Adornment, Selected by Max Kauffman. A wonderful selection of works on paper and ceramic sculptures that is definitely worth viewing in person. Come have a look, you are always welcome! Image description: View of current Wu does exhibition from sidewalk. Drawings, prints, and ceramic sculptures are displayed on and in front of four white wooden panels. Including works by #SaraMalpass #DeatraColbert #SamKershnar #AnnMeade #JonathanVelazquez #HeatherHamman #JulioDelRio #EsmeraldaSilva

The story continues with our brand new online exhibition: Bookends, Selected by Ellen Lake! Ellen writes, For this exhibition the ceramic works of Ann Meade and Saul Alegria are the supports holding together a shelf full of treasures by NIAD artists. This is an eclectic collection of work with subjects ranging from shoes, a toaster, and headphones as well as abstract work created in diverse media including ceramics, graphite, tape and collage, mixed media watercolor on pap...er, and a two-color serigraph. Follow the link in the comments to check out all the items on the shelf, and many thanks to our friend Ellen Lake ! image: glazed ceramic, 5x3x9 (S0719) by Saul Alegria [alt-text description: A product image from our web store of a glazed ceramic object standing against a white backdrop. The object is made up of 5 cubes and orbs, stacked vertically to form a small obelisk. The base is wider than the remaining 4 shapes. The two bottom square forms are painted a glossy blue-black, and the rest of the stack is painted a sharp neon chartreuse.]

John Cena leaning on a fast car, sun shining hot on the window. - Luis Estrada describes one of his venerated WWE ceramic portraits. This sculpture is included among many others in our windows exhibition Adornment. Follow the link in the comments to view the show. images: glazed ceramic, 11x7x2 (S0136) by Luis Estrada. ... [alt-text: two images from our gallery website showing the front and back of a small ceramic sculpture. The main body of the sculpture is a long dark metallic oval with 4 round wheels, and two tube protrusions on the left end mimicking puffs of fume emitting from exhaust pipes. Leaning against the right side of this sculpted car is a tall figure with a blue head, pink square body, and two thin pink tube legs. The artist has etched a line drawing of a heart into the figure’s chest and a smiling face into their head. Upon closer inspection it’s clear there are words, dots, and line drawings etched into the body of the car as well, painted over in dark shining brown. On the top of the car, the artist has sculpted a round sun with rays pointing up and out, and glazed all over in bright yellow. The second image shows the same sculpture from the back, with more of the round sun visible, and a stripe of yellow paint warmly dappling the entire top rim of the car. ]

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you might also like to don this colorful cat pin by Ann Meade ! Click the in the comments to shop the collection in our current online exhibition, Cat Waterfall, selected by Ann Meade as part of our Artist of the Month series. image: Cat Pin, yarn, beads, and wire, 3.5 x 0.5 (J0092) Ann Meade ... [alt-text description: A product image from our web store of a large circular brooch in the shape of a cat head. The materials are bright yellow, orange, pink, and purple yarn wrapped around a silver wire frame. The single piece of wire has been bent into the shape of pointed cat ears atop a round face, and a short round protrusion on the right side suggestive of a tail. The wire ear shapes stick out between the wrapped yarn and are the only bits of wire visible. The artist has sewn orange yarn whiskers onto the center of the pin, added two yellow sequins for eyes, and some sewn pink thread between the whiskers for a nose. Because of the way the yarn is wrapped, the cat seems to have both vertical and horizontal stripe markings, alternating the colors mentioned above. It’s a large statement sized piece of jewelry.]

We are thrilled to present this preview clip from Heather Hamann’s Dance of the Flower Kingdom In addition to the elegant choreography, #HeatherHamann created the flower gown, painted the backdrop image, & composed an original poem all during our virtual studio group: Dance & Performance. Visit our Vimeo channel to enjoy the entire performance (link is in the comments) ... [video description: red theater curtains part to reveal a green screen stage backdrop: a large painting of a pink castle against a pale blue sky. The words Dance of the Flower Kingdom materialize for a few seconds in a curled purple font in front of the painted castle, and then dissipate as the performer steps forward. The performer, artist Heather Hamann, is wearing a hand sewn pink dress with fluttering white flower petal appliqué around the middle. As classical music plays, Heather dances twirling toward and away from the camera, seeming to disappear into and then magically emerge from the green screen castle backdrop. When the song ends, Heather strikes a triumphant pose and recites an original poem.]

You’re all invited to Group Chat ~ our new online exhibition selected by Kate Rhoades + Katy Kondo !! Kate and Katy were drawn to work that deals with collaboration and togetherness: In the last year as we've been isolated from our larger communities, we have also been deeply entangled with the few people in our bubble. In this exhibition we present works that we’re produced through collaboration. Join the conversation by following the link in the comments, and thanks ...x 2 to our friends Kate & Katy!! image: acrylic on found magazine page, 10.5x10.5 (D3615) by Eddie Braught. [alt-text: an image from our gallery website of a square full-color art magazine page with painted marks on top of the printed image. The image shows 4 people in sporty white outfits and holding tennis rackets while seated close together on bleachers. They each wear masks made of head-sized tennis balls over their faces, with the eyes and mouths cut out. NIAD artist Eddie Braught has painted big greenish white headphones over each person’s head. Surrounding the figures is yellow, orange, and white text typed in several languages + sizes, and mostly printed upside down.]

Lightbulb into hammer / be defence - a new coded drawing by Danny Thach! Danny often invites the Movies & Drawing Zoom group on deep dives into Keith Haring, music from the 70s, and logo designs. Along the way, Danny has paired each member of the NIAD community with a color from a box of 64 crayola crayons. So, this is me (Em aka Orange) recommending you all follow the link in the comments to check out more work by Danny Blue-Green Thach in our online gallery! [image...: a screen cap from zoom of a drawing on white paper. The drawing features a teal and red lightbulb on the left with a purple and orange hammer hovering above and to the right. The scene seems to show the moment before the hammer hits the lightbulb, and there is a directional arrow suggesting this movement. The artist has signed and dated the drawing at the bottom right, and along the top edge has written in all caps the words: lightbulb into hammer be defence] See more

Cheers! It’s tea time with Samantha Kershnar ‘s ceramic diorama set with a shimmering blue kettle and matching cups Still feeling parched? Join us this week on Zoom for Thirsty Thursday, June 10th at 6pm PT ! RSVP to meet the curator Max Kauffman and learn more about the ritualistic works selected for our NIAD Windows exhibition link in comments image: glazed ceramic sculpture, 8x5x6 (S0912) by Samantha Kershnar ... [alt-text description: A product image from our web store of a shiny and colorful ceramic sculpture against a stark white backdrop. The sculpture is a diorama made up of a dark green square base flecked with orange and yellow spots, and a dappled orange square slab of the same size attached perpendicular to the base. The two squares together form the ground and back wall for the scene. The scene features small sculpted objects: on the right side , a light blue round tea kettle with a handle and lid, and two smaller dark blue cups set to the left. ]

We are thrilled to announce the opening of this month’s NIAD Windows Exhibition! Adornment, selected by Max Kauffman, is on view in downtown Richmond. Kauffman shares, These ten artists imbue spirit into everyday objects. Facets of daily life become abstract through their methods; quilts, photographs, clay and paper become magical things through the power of repetition. The rituals of home and comfort are elevated through spiritual fulfillment. The love bestowed upon these ...items reveals itself. Not merely beauty, these things serve a purpose. They emanate joy, a sense of peace, and a hope of understanding one another. Click the links in the comments to explore the full exhibition, as well as to RSVP to our Thirsty Thursday online event June 10 at 6p PT. See you there! Image description: Sidewalk view of current Windows exhibition. Works on paper and ceramic sculptures are displayed on and in front of four white wooden panels. Including works by Sara Malpass, Deatra Colbert, Sam Kershnar, Ann Meade, Jonathan Velazquez, Heather Hamman, Julio Del Rio, and Esmeralda Silva.

Calling all art lovers! Hey, give me a Call opens tonight ~~ peep this poster featuring ceramic works by Alan Perez, & read on for more info reposted from our friends at Rock Paper Scissors Collective. We’re excited for our first art opening at our new location during First Friday on June 4th from 5-9pm!! Curated by Amber Avalos, this group show is about Togetherness, Otherness, Awkwardness, and Nurturing. The mixed media handmade pieces reflect the processing of thes...e emotions as a way to stay connected with each other, ourselves and our creativity. The eleven artists included in the exhibit are Carlota Rodriguez, Josh Vidal, Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh, Julio Rodriguez, Joshua Solis, Leslie Colón, Jean McElvane, Alan Perez, Amber Avalos, Pamela Ybañez, and Annamarta Dostourian. Follow the link in the comments for more info. [image description: a promotional poster for a gallery opening which includes black text noting the participating artists, show title, date and location. The text surrounds a digital collage of two ceramic sculptures (glazed figures modeled after movie monsters Frankenstein and The Fly) that appear to be communicating via retro phones connected by one coiled cord. The cord loops over itself to form a heart shape.]

"Black History Month is a time when I like to think about how we talk about our history together at NIAD. We learn about reading and cooking and printmaking and sewing. I get to make work about acting stars and my favorite wrestlers. I've been thinking about how I've been coming here making art for a long time, and so I know I'm going down in history with NIAD." - Deatra Colbert Click the link in our bio to learn more about this week’s online exhibition, We Are Creating O...ur History based on an installation co-curated by Deatra Colbert, Felicia Griffin, and Dorrie Reid. image: wrestling scene graphite on toned paper, 16x20 (D6260) #DeatraColbert [full image description in alt-text and in the comments below]

We’re thrilled to present a new online exhibition as part of our Artist of the Month Series: We Are Creating Our History Curated By Deatra Colbert, Felicia Griffin, and Dorrie Reid. Over the past few years, NIAD artistshave been delvingdeeper into the curatorial aspects of their practices by participating in our Artist of the Month program, which convertsaportion of the communal studio intoa customizable gallery space. Click the link in our bio to view the exhib...ition, which includes available work from the powerful AOM installation co-directed by #DeatraColbert, #FeliciaGriffin, and #DorrieReid in 2019. Together, the artists selected NIAD art objectsthat honor Black History andcultural heritage. image 1: serigraph print, 15x17 (D3347) #FeliciaGriffin image 2: a photo of the in-progress installation featuring the completed wall-text mural and several mixed-media chair sculptures. [full image descriptions in alt-text]

Christian Vassell shares a charming set of water-dragon drawings These expressive creatures are illustrations for a story written collaboratively by artists in our writing group about hungry dragons. But don’t worrythey’re in the mood for fresh fish, with jewels for dessert! Find more of Christians work, including unique artist books, by following the link in our bio to the online gallery ... images: #ChristianVassell holds up drawings of smiling pink and purple dragons during a zoom video session. [full description in alt-text]

We highly recommend following the link in our bio to view this incredible selection of work by Peter Harris, based on an installation he created in 2019. #PeterHarris This online exhibition is part of our series honoring the artist-led Artist of the Monthprogram at NIAD, which converts a section of our communal studio into a customizable gallery space. Peter energized the area by steadily adding new prints, paintings, and sculptures to the installation for the duration o...f the exhibition. image 1: screen cap of a webpage showing 12 available art items by #PeterHarris image 2: Peter stands in the middle of his installation, gesturing toward his paintings. [full image descriptions in alt-text]

POMPOM how-to for WINWIN !! we’re busy prepping fun activities, original 6x6 artworks, and party kits for our upcoming annual benefit ~ click the link in our bio to register or donate! Our deep thanks for being part of NIAD’s extended family, and we hope to meet you online at Win Win 9 image: a short video of pompom activity sheets being fed out of a risograph printer. ... [alt-text for video: shot from above, the camera pans over to the collection-tray of a risograph printer as cream sheets of paper fly out and stack atop one another. The printed image is of red text that reads POM POM, and each o has been stylized to look like a yarn pompom. The text is set vertically and divided into two columns, such that the Ps are side by side at the top of the page, the radial pompom shapes are in the middle, and the Ms are along the bottom edge. The sound is a rhythmic beat that signals the turning of the internal riso ink tube, and a tapping noise that corresponds with each of 29 sheets of paper hitting the back of the tray as they land.] See more

We’re celebrating NIAD’s artist-led gallery programming with a new series of online exhibitions, and we begin with Peter Harris! Over the past few years, NIAD artists have been delving deeper into the curatorial aspects of their practices by participating in Artist of the Month opportunities. Working individually or in teams, artists use a portion of the communal studio to display completed work, experiment with wall murals + site-specific installations, or perform art, p...oetry, + music. Our first collection is based on an AOM installation directed by Peter Harris. Peter selected a number of his ceramics, prints, + paintings, and continued to add new work to the space for the duration of the show. Eventually every surface, including the sides of pedestals, showcased his distinctive whorled forms. Click the link in our bio to view Peter’s incredible work, alongside documentation from the original 2019 installation. Image 1: mixed media monotype print, 16x20 (D0998) #PeterHarris Image 2: Peter Harris stands in front of a wall covered with his prints and drawings. [reminder: you can find the full description of our postsin alt-text]