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Farewell to Miguel Chacon!

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

Dear NIAD Lovers: Every time Miguel Chacon comes through NIAD’s studio doors, he assumes his role as “The Manager,” a nickname he earned from his fellow artists for his leadership qualities,  but also for his unwavering support and mentorship of NIAD artists, veterans and newcomers alike.   Miguel is a sought-after sound engineer,  but his keen eye for cultural commentary in his visual art practice is clear in the artworks surveyed in his recent solo exhibition Observer. He has said that he spent years just watching other studio artists before hitting his groove as a painter, and by now that groove is as deep as on the tracks he produces. Read More …

two paintings by NIAD artist Dorian Reid - abstract with vigorous brushstrokes.

Online Exhibition // “Hurricane Dorian,” organized by NIAD artist Dorian Reid

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

About Hurricane Dorian “And then I started using my fists, boom boom boom, and then I made the town and the houses in the neighborhood. There was the hurricane named after me. So I started off doing hurricane level two, then slowly built up to level three, then up to level five, and I destroyed that area. And I’m feeling like I’m getting destroyed, like I’m destroying myself with the [Destroyed X] series.” NIAD artist Dorrie Reid wants to make a statement with the cathartic, performative work she selected for her online exhibition, Hurricane Dorian. “If I took it out on Read More …

A wall in the NIAD gallery with many artworks hung on the wall and messages painted and drawn directly on the wall in tribute to NIAD artist Erika Martinez.

In Memoriam: NIAD artist Erika Martinez

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

Dear NIAD Community, This week, we share with a heavy heart the news of Erika Martinez’s passing.  A NIAD artist for 17 years, Erika was a pillar of NIAD’s community, and a treasure to her family, to whom we extend our deep condolences. Her many friends remember her as kind, loving, fierce in her joy and inimitable style, and intensely dedicated to her relationships, as well as her work as an artist.  “Her mischievous streak was enviable”; “Her friendships remain so special and everlasting”; “I remember her hellos in the morning where she would say, ‘Hey, it’s me!’—and indeed it was.” These are just Read More …

Creepy Comix from the Michael Nuñez Vault, Part 1: “The hunger of the Wendigo”

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

You probably know his movie posters, and you might’ve seen his historical scenes, but even hardcore Michael Nuñez fans don’t know about his zines, chock full of the incredible detail, canny framing, and fantastical monsters we all know and love. You can find Michael’s work in SFMOMA’s Library/Archives, but we’re making it more accessible here, for the first time. Enjoy! When it was 12:00am it was time to get in and get some sleep. … but not before they sleep they decided to have some passion. Bu then… (Animal like scream)!! Want to find out what horrifying thing Daniel saw Read More …

NIAD Win Win 10 logo graphic

WIN WIN 10 Tickets On Sale!

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

NIAD turns 40 this year, so we’re going BIG. NIAD is pulling out all the stops for our annual WIN WIN benefit to commemorate our 40th anniversary, and it wouldn’t be the same without you! It’s called “WIN WIN” because everyone has a chance to take home fantastic art and support NIAD artists. Please join us on Zoom for a fun afternoon of games, music and a live auction of extraordinary artwork donated by NIAD artists and artists in our vital network of supporters.  Following the Zoom event, NIAD lovers will come together (safely) for an in-person reception with music and paella Read More …

an acrylic painting on paper of an insect, with four olive green legs, yellow wings, a purple thorax and orange eyes on a bright pink background

NIAD Windows Exhibition: Picnic, organized by Jessica Cadkin

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

About the exhibition Ice cream trucks, pool parties, and picnics evoke images of summertime. This year in particular, picnics became an opportunity to reunite with friends and family after so many months of isolation. The summer ritual of gathering outside on blankets with baskets to share a meal, play games, and bask in the sun took on special meaning. So as this summer draws to a close, the artworks selected for this window exhibition are an expression of some of those things. About the organizer  Jessica Cadkin was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up in Napa, California. She received Read More …

Untitled (S0912) Samantha Kershnar

NIAD Windows Exhibition: Adornment, selected by Max Kauffman

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

About the exhibition 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. About the selector Max Kauffman   Meet the selector (virtually) at Thirsty Thursday, June 10, 6-7pm PT. View the exhibition.View Untitled (S0912), Samantha Kershnar.

Online Exhibition: Costume Store selected by Ari Banias

Posted onAuthorAmanda Eicher

About the exhibition Not exactly pretend, but the shimmering parallel worlds right beside this one. Inside it, even.  About the selector Ari Banias is a poet, and the author of Anybody (2016) and the forthcoming A Symmetry (W. W. Norton, 2021). His recent work appears in bæst, Hyperallergic, Kenyon Review, and The New Republic. Ari is currently an affiliate artist at Headlands Center for the Arts, and lives in Oakland.  Click to view the show.

More Archive: View Even More Of Our Previous Online Exhibitions//

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

It’s Time For Joy // show #219selected by Julie Mallis Includes work by Mireya Betances, Dre’An Cox, Sylvia Fragoso, Janay Futch, Felicia Griffin, Karen May, Ann Meade, Martha Padron, Jason Powell-Smith, Shantae Robinson, Serena Scott. Charged Particles // show #220selected by Kate Conlon Included work from Christian Vassell, Danny Thach, Matthew Wilson, Joseph Rux, Carlos Fernandez, Jeremy Burleson. Monochrome Markings // show #221selected by Jennifer Gilbert Included work from Serena Scott, Jeremy Burleson, Julio Del Rio, Nathan Lam, Joseph Rux, Matthew Wilson, Shantae Robinson, Raven Harper, Rebecca Jantzen, Jonathan Valdivias, Donald Walker. The Weight Of The World // show #222selected Read More …