If you like music as much as many of our artists do, you’ll likely love the playlist we made for you. It’s hosted by the new streaming service Tidal, and is an amazing smorgasbord of song styles, all curated with love and attention. Have a listen! ps. If you want a specific theme to your playlist, try Jean McElvane’s California Top Ten.
I don’t know about you, but I could really use something a little comforting right now. And Nick has chosen an online show that, as he explains, is full of “words (that) ooze from the core of these pieces, speaking to the viewer with a familiarity of a childhood friend, effortless, and with an overwhelming sense of truth.” Sounds good, right? Thanks, Nick!
Did you know that we have a group of NIAD artists that plan and strategize weekly about the future of the Art Center? We do. They’re call the Artist Advisory Committee? On Zoom, this week, the Artist Advisory Committee ran deep: artists noted the difficulty of confronting this moment without the usual supports of the studio, the need for some things to continue as normal, and — in a relatively short time for such a large group of collaborating artists — NIAD’s studio artists began to innovate new studio offerings to access online. The coming weeks will see a Spanish Read More …
As we all settle into new routines, the reality of life in these new patterns is starting to set in: we’re going to be here for a while, and it’s not always easy to get comfortable. We’ve tried to make it a little easier – the same coloring books, online exhibitions, playlists, and #NIADathome you see here goes out to all our artists too, and it becomes fuel for new art practice conversations. In the virtual studio for the past three weeks, NIAD staff have been working with artists and their care providers to ensure access to digital tools for Read More …
Artist Marjetica Potrč explains her terrific show, “The works in the exhibition are stories of various encounters painted and sculpted by NIAD artists. I recognized in them my encounters with things and beings during long walks in nature: a stone, a plant, an animal, a hiker, a sudden storm, my winding thoughts.” Thanks, Marjetica!
Last week, our Jean McElvane, a resident of Richmond (born and raised), created a blog post featuring a selection of “(M)usical tunes featuring the state of California… just ‘cuz it’s home to me.” This week, she’s back with a new post featuring animated shorts about the Golden State. Enjoy!
Over the weekend, Oakland artist and writer Scott MacLeod selected an online show that speaks to what so many of us are doing: sheltering-in-place. But, if you’re not, it is still a fantastic show and worthy of your time. Thanks for speaking to the moment, Scott.
SFMOMA is temporarily closed, but they’ve posted a fantastic short video interview with photographer Dawoud Bey. Go here, and scroll down to the video. You will likely learn a lot.
Jean, a resident of Richmond (born and raised), explains this week’s selections, “Here are some musical tunes featuring the state of California, just ‘cuz it’s home to me, though I’ve been to about over ten cities of my life, the farthest cities I’ve been in California are Santa Clara, Sacramento & Millbrae (on BART), and never been anywhere out of California either.” Here’s her Top Ten of Golden State songs… And her Top Ten, California City Tunes (or a few mention in the lyrics)…
SaveArtSpace has partnered with NIAD Art Center, Creative Growth, and Creativity Explored to bring more public art to the Bay Area. We invite artists of all ages and talents to submit their work for consideration of placement on a billboard. The selected artists will be on view with artists from our centers in a Bay Area-wide public art exhibition on ad spaces beginning in Summer 2020. The deadline to submit is now May 31.
If you’re stuck in the house with your children or self-isolating yourself, we’ve got a gift for you… “Stay At Home And…” is a new coloring book (in easily printed PDF form) chock full of ideas of stuff to do while you’re sheltering -in-place! Download (there is no limit) as many copies as you like, and please, do share it with a friend. Be safe!
From Hyperallergic: “If you’re feeling hungry for art while you’re stranded at home, here are our 12 selections out of 2,500 world-class museums and galleries that are now offering virtual tours and online collections.” Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Enjoy.
Although she organized our current online show months ago, Christina Linden created a very prescient exhibition. As she explains, “This is the slow, sleepy, darkest part of the year.” Seems about right, doesn’t it? Enjoy. And thanks, Christina.
If you’re stuck in the house with your children or self-isolating yourself, we’ve got a gift for you! Below are four PDFs of our most popular coloring books. Enjoy! And be safe, please. Download (there is no limit) of as many as you like of the following: Jonathan Valdivias’ “After Lucian Freud” (a selection of images based on portraits from the famous figurative painter by NIAD’s Jonathan Valdivias) Ann Meade’s “Feline Frenzy” (a lively group of cats from NIAD’s beloved cat art creator) Ann Meade’s “Ten Cats & Their Celebrities” (ten pages of pure star-crossed joy) Jeremy Burleson’s “Some Flowers, Read More …
A quick and important COVID-19 update (from Amanda Jane Eicher, our Executive Director) in regards to the Art Center: Until at least April 6, NIAD Art Center will remain closed for artists and the public as a part of Bay Area Shelter in Place orders. We will continue to monitor public health advisories from Contra Costa County and Regional Center of the East Bay for further guidance. However, as essential service providers, NIAD staff are working both off-site and – until March 27 – in very limited numbers on-site to design service provision for artists at home. Our goal is Read More …
If you’re ‘sheltering in place’ (like we are) or just staying inside of your own accord, please, enjoy our latest online show: “Love is Here to Stay” Selected By Nancy Lim Curator Nany Lim has created a show that shares qualities with Sister Corita (the Catholic artist and activist) and her work and its spirit — irreverence, ardor, and joy. It’s very timely. Enjoy. And thanks, Nancy!
Since we can’t go outside and celebrate at the moment, NIAD’s Jean McElvane has selected some terrific and hilarious viewing (much of it full of shenanigins) for all of us at home! And she’s also created a Top Ten list of sings that feature the color green. All of it is below. Enjoy. And may the luck of the Irish be with you…
About the show she organized, Michelle explains, “I have brought together works…that speak of place and that spark storytelling.” And the exhibition is fantastic. Have a look!
NIAD Art Center values the health of our artists and our community, and we want to be in touch with you to let you know about steps we are taking to keep our community safe (especially our most vulnerable members). In keeping with Bay Area school districts and what we predict will be the decision of Regional Center of the East Bay and the Department of Developmental Services, NIAD has decided to inform studio artists and their care providers that the Art Center will suspend services for artists as of Monday, March 16 and until further notice. Our gallery will remain Read More …
Our latest online exhibition… The Eight Cats Also Eight Flowers, Selected By Claire Barliant! Claire proposes that if one owns a work that she has selected for this show, that person will be happy, with a full heart. She’s right! And thank you, Claire. View it here.