Came here for the spring exhibitions opening reception and had a great time. Was a bit surprised that masking was still required indoors but they provided masks at the front. The exhibits were nicely organized and flowed well. The Richmond Art Center seems well-maintained overall and they did an excellent job with the opening reception, including the yummy food and drinks in the courtyard. I just wish they had more seating during events. While making my way around, I saw artwork from local students as well and the classrooms in the back which was cool. If you're an East Bay local, I highly recommend stopping by the Richmond Art Center at some point or checking out their class offerings. read more

Richmond Art Center - Art Galleries Near Me - Richmond, California

I registered for a 10 am workshop, but arrived shortly after the art center opened so I had time to leisurely view the works on display in the main gallery and in other smaller galleries. I am always impressed by the caliber of the work on display, regardless of whether it's the work of professionals or young children who have taken classes at the center or work from area schools in coordination with their art teachers. Workshop participants created a paper plate "succulent" to take home. Although the workshop required pre-registration, it was free. Many parents worked along side their young children,?while teenagers clustered together. The presenter's own sculptures reminded me of Dr Seuss drawings come to life. It was evident that a fun time was had by all. read more

Primary reason for visiting Richmond was to see the Art Exhibition for Steven Morales at Richmond Art Center. I was grateful for the complementary parking lot. There were no entrance fee to the Art Center, but a donation box. This center seems to serve the community very well. It warms my heart to see them offering classes and a safe space to explore one's artistic calling. read more

Richmond Art Center - Steven Morales Art Exhibition - Art Galleries Near Me - Richmond, California

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I took my first class when I was 11. I was the only kid in the class. We made ceramics and I still have the platter that I made. When I learned that they had classes for kids, I was thrilled because while the older women were bonding, I felt a bit ignored. My fantasy of making a craft loving friend wasn't realized. After college, I kept signing up for classes and they were always being cancelled. So, eventually I stopped. But the one hit they have is the career faire and the sale of ceramics that were made in classes, yarns and crafts people and community orgniazations that make and sell crafts. After a few slow years, it's come back. I look foward to this event because I like to see what's out there. Not to buy for christmas, but for inspiration! This and TALOB are the two events to go to. read more

Richmond Art Center - Annual holiday faire! - Art Galleries Near Me - Richmond, California

This camp canceled my son's reservation for summer camp - made months earlier - a few days before the camp began. They noticed that he needed to take a midday medication and said they couldn't administer it. They also communicated in a disrespectful way about it. It was stressful and hurtful, and we had to scramble to find a last minute camp. I've heard from other parents that they discriminate against kids with disabilities (even mild ones) and our experience backs this up. read more

This place is wonderful and has lots of heart. However, the seating in the painting classroom is really old and uncomfortable. Stools and ancient folding chairs. If you are disabled for sure contact them to make sure they give you an appropriate seat for your class, which they do for me. Recently, though, the City of Richmond set their parking lot to a 2-hour limit. Given that many of us show up for 4-hour classes with a ton of stuff this is a problem, especially if you are disabled as there are few of those spots and you have to leave class to move your car if you can't walk well--and these classes are not inexpensive. There is a lot across the street, but if you are like me it's hard to walk at all, and there is no reason to make us do this other than greed -- the parking ticket revenue. The Center admin did NOTHING to support me on my plea to the city to please allow paying students of the center to park in front for the duration of classes. In fact, the director sided with the city. That was sad. Shame on them! read more

I dedicate my 200th review to this community gem The Richmond Art Center is the oldest art center in the SF Bay Area. It offers classes and workshops for children and adults including: drawing, painting, jewelry, metal work, ceramics, textiles, clay, murals, masks and more, My son has taken classes there and has enjoyed the wonderful instruction in a supportive and friendly environment. The classrooms are designed for people to feel creative and comfortable. You feel like an artist the moment you step into a classroom. The instructors are dedicated, enthusiastic and encouraging, Unlike some art classes that are designed for people who don't need classes (ie. they are already artists). Richmond Art Center classes are for everyone! A friend at work went there as a kid, now his kids go there and they have the same teacher he had! read more

Richmond Art Center - Art Galleries Near Me - Richmond, California

I love my beginning pottery class centered on the wheel. I wish I had taken classes here years ago! The teachers and students are great and it's a great environment to learn. I'll definitely take more classes here in pottery. My class is pretty diverse in age, but there are lots of retired people that are finally takin that pottery class. read more

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This is a review of the 2010 "Members Only" exhibit and in the interest of full disclosure, the exhibit includes one work apiece by my friend Gene Erickson and also by Andrea Segall who is a longtime colleague and friend. That being said, I knew I would love the exhibit in the Main Gallery when I entered down the sunny hallway to greet a life-sized ceramic/acrylic critter called "Sitting Dog" by Barbara Bradlee. At Casa Canine, you *know* we love dogs. Wasn't disappointed when I entered the gallery to find the dog theme continued: a felting/spinning/cloth/wool/doghair piece caught my eye but my attention moved on to a series of ceramics by Florence Lewis. I loved her work. My favorite was "Looking For A Way In" in which (to quote the artist) houses morph into little complicated worlds...inspired by a mythical quest to find an open door. " At $750, I almost rang up the artist and offered to put in a bid on the piece. Still might....its a complicated globe-like object with many, many meanings...sort of like (and you know the end to this story) the parrot that I bought at Solano Lighting....but it costs less...and is original art. Just might...may...could...go back to buy this after the exhibit closes. Moving on, Regina Gilligan had a marvelous piece called "Circuit's Circling." Placed on a door for this exhibit. I could see this piece ($350) being much loved and appreciated at Casa Canine. Arlene Magarian had a fine piece exhibited made from recycled teryy cloth towels. Loved it. Andrea Seagall's Yellow checkerboard quilt would be right at home in my dining room. As would a water color entitled "Dog Speak" which was well worth the asking price of $350. Continuing the dog theme, Debbie Fong's "Best Friend Waiting" and Rosemary McLean's "Angel Dog" would be welcome additions to our kennel.......I mean... *house.* "Winter Flea" by Marilyn Gee-Cartwright was creative and wonderful. But then I saw my true love.....the "must-have" piece...but where am I going to come up with the (very nominal) $2,400 to buy it? Ruth Block's acrylic-mixed media-on-paper Gilgamesh "Big Fish Going Home' s is Outstanding. with a capital O. From every angle, it tells a thousand stories. Even has a shadowy wolf-like dog in it....and you know how I like wolf-like dogs......... Dang....where am I going to get two thousand four hundred smackeroos??????? Peggy Guggenheim would understand. Probably be willing to eat tofu for eternity to acquire the "Fish" piece. Might even be willing to dine on tunafish casserole on the veranda every Friday night. Somehow, somewhere, this piece will be mine. Just you wait.... But in the meantime, checkout the "Members Only Exhibit" at RAC this year...it's terrific! Pick up a brochure or two. Consider joining so you can exhibit your own work next year. But don't forget to stop by my my lemonade stand when you exit out into the parking lot...that Gilgamesh, "Big Fish" pic is my goal. Drop by drop, dime by dime. "BIg FIsh Going Home " will be mine. Tunafish for dinner tonight. Sorry, Mr. Frugal. No, you can't have seconds, the food has to last until the dogs have eaten. Say tuned.... read more

Another AMAZING secret of Richmond!!! Their classes keep my mom painting and that is a good thing. If you go on Friday, check out the nearby Farmer's Market!!! read more

Been here 3 times but only the second and third time did I explore much! Have to say this is one hecka cool gallery that offers classes too! WOW! I was here recently for my Pro Arts Reception last SAT and hopefully will be back here again displaying my art next year. (Pro arts open studios is June 5,6 and 12, 13. http://www.proartsgallery.org/ check it out if you can!!!!!!!! Tangent there, but yeah this is an awesome gallery- a must see! It is free and open T-S 11- 5pm. It is easy to find- look at the red brick building next to the Civic Center with a BIG YELLOW FISH! Like I said the galleries are free and pretty awesome! They have classes on ceramics, drawing, painting, weaving, and jewelry for children, youth, and adults of all ages. Come check it out- you won't be disappointed. There are free parking and Friday's there is a flea market across the street! read more

This review is for the Jewelry studio. There is a new instructor Julianna Duncan. She has a 20 year + history as a professional bench jeweler. She is the best instructor we've had since Ed passed away. Full of tips and techniques she really knows her stuff. Plus you get to use the studio during the week on your own projects. Since Revere shut down it has been hard to find a place that has classes.. If your looking for excellent affordable jewelry instruction this is the place! read more

If you live in or around The Richmond Art Center, and you enjoy the arts, it's a wonderful place to create things and add to your art lifestyle. It's friendly and happy there and there's always something new. In fact the whole 50,000 sq foot art facility is getting seismically retrofitted this Summer (2008) and classes will resume in September. I have taken figure drawing there ongoing for about six years. Many people rave about the Ceramic and Painting classes and their excellent instructors. There's a metal arts studio, the bay area's last big weaving studio, a screen printing studio and childrens classroom. And of course painting and ceramics. For $15-$20 per class meeting how can you go wrong? It's a bargain and it's so accessible! The large gallery spaces are usually filled with a shows and art. Top otch galleries. read more

I just completed a screen-print class ... what fun. I don't know why I never did this before. My daughter wanted to have family t-shirts made but it was always too expensive to just get 3 printed. I was able to make them...yay. Printed shirts for my grandson that were soooo cute. I also printed images on my suitcase so it doesn't look like the hundreds of black suitcases in the airport. The instructor is GREAT. She is also ready to experiment. She screens on ceramics ... even screened a prosthesis! The other students were very helpful too. I'll be signing up again soon. The RAC is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year! It's a great place.. drop by for a visit or to take a class. read more

My kids took a painting class there in September, which they enjoyed greatly, and we also took the opportunity to wander the exhibit installed at the time, which was fashion-themed. I thought it was very well-done and I'll definitely be back just for the art, and probably for more youth classes. Easy parking (lot), and relatively affordable classes - not cheap, but reasonable. read more

I really appreciate the vibe in this place. I visited for the "Lewis Watts: New Orleans" and "The Art of Living Black: Our American Experience 20th Anniversary" exhibits, which were both very well put together. read more

This is the 75th anniversary of the Richmond Art Center. My history w/ them goes back to the late 60s. I took a ceramics course there, showing absolutely no talent for it. I rented paintings from the rental gallery. One still hangs on my wall, over the spare bed. My first husband, a hippie jeweler and artist, didn't like it. When I left him I tracked down the artist to his home and studio in Canyon and bought the painting. It was symbolic of my charting my own artistic course in decorating my house. I have bought ceramics and weavings from the student art sales and still have some of them. As I write this I realize it has been many years since I've been here and it's time for another visit, but until now I hadn't recognized how they deserve credit for my establishing--or rather, trusting--my own artistic sensibilities. read more

The fact that The R.A.C. Has been there for more than 75 years is almost too much to comprehend. Nothing so good and so accessible seems to last more than a few years anymore. But here we are taking course our great grandparents took when they were young. Best teachers, great studios, decent prices, and really central to everything (adjacent to Richmond City Hall and a couple of blocks from BART). The staff are very helpful. The seasonal gallery shows are top notch. Seriously. There is nothing quite this good in the entire Bay Area on so many levels. read more

An EXCELLENT community resource to teach and promote art in such a brilliantly-artistic community!!! I come every spring to view the local student art exhibits in April. read more

My daughter has been taking youth art classes at RAC for almost a year now and I can't recommend it enough - it really is an amazing resource to have here in the east bay. It's an affordable program that offers courses on Saturdays as well as during the week, and the gallery installations are always interesting. I haven't taken any of the adult classes yet, but I plan to soon. There's ample parking and it's easy to get to from 80 and San Pablo Avenue. It also seems to be within walking distance of BART, although we haven't tried that yet. read more

Julianna Duncan is the new fantastic jewelry teacher at the Richmond Arts Center, Metals Studio. She is an excellent trained fabricator of jewelry, eager to pass on her skills and knowledge to students. This past semester she worked with her Advanced students on a bracelet project. Each individual segment consisted of two plates held together by pips, and then assembled with hinges and rivets. Next semester we will return to exploring setting stones and doing more with rivets. read more

Small but good. Surprisingly, they had work connected to Richard Misrach there!

The Richmond Art Center is a hidden gem in the Bay Area. It has fabulous exhibitions and a *lot* of classes with wonderful teachers! It is also a non-profit and has been there for 75 (!!!) years. It is a fantastic resource and we are lucky to have it, read more

Rude, snippy people working here. You would think that people at an art center would be kind and friendly, but not here. I have a membership but wish I hadn't bought it. read more

I am a first time reviewer of anything. What brings me out of my shell is a class I recently took at the Richmond Art Center (RAC). I love the RAC. Its classes and exhibits are a smorgasbord of tempting experiences. Over the years, I've taken weekend workshops that are relatively inexpensive and fun. In the children's programs, I shadowed my children as they delighted in their creations from summer camp. But taking a full blown class for myself seemed impossible for a host of excuses that boiled down to time, cost, and mostly fear of being exposed as inept. I'm not getting any younger and when I saw the class description of Fundamentals of Drawing by an instructor whose work I admired, I knew it was time for me to take an art class where I was a true beginner. This takes some courage. In all honesty it was hard work. Charcoal and a blank art tablet need a master, and even if you have never tried it before, your eyes and your brain become your best resources, thanks to the gentle encouragement of instructor Ned Axthelm. There's no stress or homework, just a commitment to being in class. Suddenly, outside of the classroom, you start to see people and surroundings as light and shadow. What you once took for granted, now takes on a whole new appearance. And most importantly, you learn to quiet that critical voice in your head that tells you over and over that you are inept. We all are at some point, and that makes us fertile ground for learning. I plan to practice the fundamentals. Like anything, practice is key. But getting a good foundation gives me confidence to grow and keep trying. This class was a marvelous value for the practical lessons it provided. If you hang around the Richmond Art Center you know that its instructors, classes and exhibits are top notch. It earns five stars as an organization that consistently offers a quality assortment of instruction and inspiration that make art and critical thinking an experience to be shared. BRAVO! read more

I am deeply saddened to hear that the art center may close because of lack of money. I attended the RAC back in 1954 while attending Pullman kindergarten. In 1985 my daughter attended many of the classes through the next 10 years. I now have a granddaughter who has attended many of the excellent classes offered. She has even had teachers that my daughter had. The center has been just a wonderful place for children and adults to express their artistic abilities. There is no other place like the Richmond Art Center. It is such a positive image for the city of Richmond. Art is not taught in schools anymore and thousands of very talented people have had a chance to show just what they were born to do. Can someone please step forward and help the Art center out or does it take a village? This is just an excellent place to visit, take classes or or just look at Guillermo (the fish) on the outside of the building. This center can never be replaced nor the excellent teachers who work there. I truly hope my youngest granddaughter will be able to continue our tradition of attending the RAC. read more