As part of our latest exhibition Word Play, NIAD will be presenting a Live Arts Performance on Friday, August 13, from 1-2pm. This free event will highlight the diversity of talent in our studio from singing to dancing and storytelling. The preliminary list of performers includes:

• Jonathan Veleasquez, who will lead a troupe of dancers in a performance of Thriller by Michael Jackson.
• Heather Edgar, Mike Sutton, and Kristi Dean will be singing some of their favorite songs.
• Julio Del Rio will take us on a journey to Mexico.
• Heather Hamaan will perform on harp.
• Sly Randolph, father of artist Kevin Randolph, will present an improvisational percussion performance with a group of artists.

Please join us for this special event. Seating is limited so please call 510-620-0290 for reservations.

Join the NIAD artists, board and staff for a wonderful, social afternoon BBQ.  This is your chance to meet the artists, see them in action in the studio, browse the artists’ work in our gift shop and get to know the staff and board members.  We are very proud of all that NIAD offers to the community and are excited to be sharing it with you!  Don’t miss out – respond today.

$40 per ticket or $75 for two. Call (510) 620-0290 for tickets.

RSVP by June 10th

Special thanks to our sponsors



Richmond Sanitary Service, Courtyard by Marriott, Federal Cooperative Credit Union, Kendall Financial Services, and M.A. Hays Co.

James Castle: A Retrospective (through April 25)

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

Born profoundly deaf, James Castle (1899–1977) was a prodigious artist who, without formal training, created a remarkable and vast body of work over the course of his life in rural Idaho. His drawings, cardboard constructions, paintings, and, even books of drawn text became his chief means of communicating with the world. Despite the barrenness of Castle’s surroundings and the solitary quality of his life, his works lack any sense of loneliness, pain, or worry. On the contrary, making art for Castle was clearly an act of confident pleasure and curiosity, an act in which he immersed his full awareness. This retrospective is the first comprehensive museum exhibition of his drawings, books, and paper constructions. For more about the exhibition visit: http://www.bampfa.berkeley. edu/exhibition/castle

Public Programs (free with gallery admission):

Thursday, March 18, noon

Gallery Talk: Jacqueline Crist and Ann Percy

Two of the foremost experts on the art and life of James Castle join forces to offer their insights on selected works in the exhibition, and the stories behind them.

*Sign language interpretation will be provided by Patricia Lessard. 

Sunday, April 18, 3 p.m.

Gallery Talk: Constructing Castle with Brenda Brueggemann and Katherine Sherwood

Bringing together two educator-practitioners who have long focused on James Castle, this program will highlight visual and linguistic elements in his work that contribute to a deeper understanding of his artistic output as a whole.

*Sign language interpretation will be provided by Patricia Lessard. 

For general information about BAM/PFA including access and house visit: http://www.bampfa.berkeley. edu/visit

1/10/10

On December 21, 2009, the Richmond Police Department unveiled a new mural by NIAD artists. The piece was a commissioned by the department and depicts the community, culture, and rich history of Richmond. Richmond Confidential covered the event and you can find the wonderful full story here.