The Latest at NIAD

Dorrie Reid’s “Evening With Jane Goodall”

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

Yes, that’s NIAD Studio Artist Dorrie Reid participating in a Q&A session with Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace! Dorrie was invited to participate in the event by the Walt Disney Family Museum as part of a fundraiser for their arts and animation education programs. Anyone who knows Dorrie’s work – animals, advocacy, social and environmental justice are common themes – would agree that she and Dr. Goodall have much to talk about. Their interaction moved Dorrie to make a statement that she intends to send to Dr. Goodall: Dear Jane Read More …

A collage of pictures involving NIAD studio artist Deatra Colbert and her artwork.

From NIAD’s Director: Back to Studio!

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

For 25 years, Deatra has had a truly legendary practice as a studio artist at NIAD.  Not only does Deatra work across mediums including fiber arts, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, and painting, she is a community connector.  And so it’s fitting that this year, she was one of the first artists to return to our 23rd Street studio to work in person. In the video below, she shares her personal approach to making sure life in the Virtual Studio and on-site at NIAD stay continuous. It’s all about friends – whether in the NIAD courtyard or studio, or on-screen in our Virtual Read More …

an image of a pixellated palm tree and beach scene next to text from Spotify: Playlist. Break Tune Favorites. "Here are the top 10 'Break' Tune Favorites. At least for now. The idea for this playlist is about taking some time off, whenever is needed..." - NIAD Studio Artist Jean McElvane 10 songs, 45 min 53 sec

Break Tune Favorites playlist by Jean McElvane

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

It’s time for the latest playlist from NIAD Studio Artist Jean McElvane! She has this to say about her latest collection: Hello, & welcome to this next occasion starting this month. Here are the top 10 “Break” Tune Favorites.  At least for now. The idea for this playlist is about taking some time off, whenever is needed.   Though, once again, this Jean is taking another one-week off for her birthday (like I do every year), just this first week (8-4-1973 – 4:11 am – Leo), I’m just staying put, & taking it easy at where I am & while turning 48 Read More …

From NIAD’s Director: Open Letter to SFMOMA

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

Embedded in NIAD’s tagline, “Redefining Contemporary Art,” is a mission to help build a more inclusive contemporary art world. One way we do this is by building partnerships – in Richmond, the Bay Area, and worldwide. Our partnership with SFMOMA has been an especially important one. Marlon Mullen received the SECA Award in 2019 and as I write this, NIAD studio artists are preparing to unveil two collaborative murals on August 14 and 15 at the museum’s Mini Mural Festival. SFMOMA is a meaningful entry point for NIAD studio artists’ visibility and success. However, at this time we are seeing SFMOMA Read More …

Summer Tune Favorite 2021 Spotify Playlist by Jean McElvane

Summer Tune Favorites 2021 playlist by Jean McElvane

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

NIAD Studio Artist, Jean McElvane, created a new Spotify playlist for us to celebrate summer! Songs include: “Summer Breeze,” Seals and Crofts “Summertime Blues,” Eddie Cochran “In the Summertime,” Mungo Jerry “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” Sly & The Family Stone “Summer Day,” Sheryl Crow “Summer,” War “Summer Madness, Kool & The Gang “Summertime,” DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince “Summer Rain,” Johnny Rivers “Heatwave,” Martha Reeves & The Vandellas “Summer’s Daughter,” The 5th Dimension “Summertime,” Billy Steward “Summer in the City,” The Lovin’ Spoonful “Cruel Summer,” Bananarama “Sunny Afternoon,” The Kinks “Summer Nights” from Grease,” John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John Read More …

Header of Jean's Mother's Day Spotify Playlist

Mother’s Day Spotify Playlist by Jean McElvane

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

NIAD Studio Artist, Jean McElvane, has created a fabulous Mother’s Day Spotify playlist. Even though the holiday has passed, shouldn’t we celebrate mothers every day? Songs include: “If Mama Was Married,” Gypsy, Ann Jillian and Natalie Wood “Mama Didn’t Lie Jen,” Bradley “Mama Said,” The Shirelles “Mama Used to Say,” Junior “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” Three Dog Night “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” Ruth Brown “I’ll Always Love My Mama,” The Intruders “Mama’s Pearl,” The Jackson 5 “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” Loggins and Messina “Mama Can’t Buy You Love,” Elton John “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” Read More …

Untitled (D1339) Halisi Noel-Johnson

From NIAD’s Director: Learning with Humility

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

From our elders, youth, neighbors, sisters, brothers, and respected community members we hear: the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial is a step forward, but this verdict is accountability, not true justice. We continue to mourn lives lost. This week, we say the names of Ma’Khia Bryant, Daunte Wright, and Adam Toledo in rage and sorrow knowing there are too many more. We must shape the present and the future to be more just. At NIAD, we are continually learning what we are called to do. As an organization, we are:   Holding space for weekly conversations at the intersection Read More …

Terri Moore and Karen May

We’re Hiring!

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

NIAD is an organization that aims to be artistically relevant and culturally inclusive. As an organization we deliver these aims through activities in our main galleries, our Artist of the Month installation run by studio artists and staff, and our off-site partnership collaborations. NIAD’s Art Marketing and Partnerships Program drives audience reach, reputation and revenue: developing and diversifying audiences; building brand visibility, and creating an outstanding audience experience; and generating income for NIAD. Our very active team aims to deliver outstanding art marketing to our audiences that is both highly creative and effective and can connect us to the widest Read More …

Call for Artists: Art in Windows 2021

Posted onAuthorAmanda Eicher

NIAD Art Center and Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) are excited to announce a new collaboration to raise visibility for Richmond-based artists and bring art into public spaces along 23rd Street and Macdonald Avenues in Downtown Richmond.  Who: Established and emerging Richmond-based artists, artist groups/collectives, and organizations (arts, cultural, educational, community, historical). Artworks: Existing and/or proposed pieces, all genres and mediums. Site-specific works that reflect Richmond’s history, culture, architecture, and people with an emphasis on high-quality presentations that reflect the positive qualities of the community. What: • Simultaneous Art in Windows exhibitions at NIAD and RMSI during the month of Read More …

Jean McElvane’s Playlist: Door to Door / Let Us In

Posted onAuthorAmanda Eicher

NIAD artist, Jean McElvane, has created a playlist of songs and cartoons for us: Door to Door / Let Us In. “An idea for this playlist came for various home deliveries to our doors,” says Jean. You can listen to the songs on NIAD’s Spotify, and view the cartoons using the links below. Enjoy! Spotify Cartoons Links to song lyrics #11 Spirit of the Radio by Rush #12 The Green Door – Jim Lowe #13 Let Me In – The Sensations #14 Let ‘Em In – Paul McCartney / Wings #15 I Hear You Knocking · Dave Edmunds #16 Keep Read More …

Jean McElvane’s Playlist: Walls, Windows, and Mirrors

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

NIAD artist, Jean McElvane, has created a playlist of songs about walls, windows, and mirrors for us! “The idea for this set list came from the thought of looking beyond four walls, through the window, and a good look in the mirror looking back at what’s there,” says Jean. You can view Jean’s available artwork in the NIAD Gallery Store by clicking here. Enjoy her Walls, Windows, and Mirrors playlist! #1 Off the Wall” by Michael Jackson Link to “Off the Wall” lyrics #2 “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” by Pink Floyd Link to “Another Brick in the Wall Read More …

Marlon Mullen’s First Monograph Now Available//

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

Designed by Eric Wrenn Office New York 128 pages / 52 color plates Marlon Mullen has had solo exhibitions at Atlanta Contemporary, Atlanta, GA (2015) and White Columns, New York, NY (2012). His work has been included in group exhibitions such as the 2019 SECA Art Award exhibition, SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA (2019); Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY (2019); Way Bay 2, U.C. Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA), Berkeley, CA (2018); Affinity, Museum of Northern California Art, Chico, CA (2017); Under Another Name, Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY (2014–15); and Create, BAMPFA (2011). Mullen Read More …

Interesting Reading: ‘What Day Are You Picking Me Up for Christmas?’//

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

From the New York Times: The coronavirus pandemic has upended the lives of many American families. Monica Duffey, 61, looks forward to the day before Christmas Eve. That is the day, every year, that one of her brothers picks her up from the group home in Waukesha, Wis., where she lives with seven other women who have developmental disabilities. Rituals are important to Monica, an avid consumer of Penny Press crossword puzzle books and a lifelong fan of the R&B group Brenda & the Tabulations. Since her parents passed away, Christmas has meant celebrating with her eight siblings, Joe, Maureen, Read More …