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With the pandemic, humanity has briefly taken a step back from much of the wanton damage we do to our planet everyday. Jesus Herrera has crafted a timely show that is a tribute — and a reminder of the destruction we must stop — to our mother, the earth. View the show.
Hey! It’s summertime. It’s hard to believe after sheltering-in-lace for nearly 100 days, but as NIAD artist Jean McElvane says, “It’s music time again for it’s now the first day of summer. At the moment, here’s a top 25, and some of them also have long versions (which are included as bonus choices).” Enjoy. And remember please apply sunblock liberally (should you step outside.)
Juneteenth is here, and NIAD is celebrating. As NIAD artist Dorrie Reid reminded us last week, this moment is not only to recognize an American history that includes great and ongoing harm, but on this day, the resilience and power of the Black heroes and historical figures whose legacies accompany us in this historic moment. We recognize those who have passed, memorialized in artworks like Raven Harper’s pantheon of portraits of civil rights leaders and performing artists such as Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, and so many others. And we recognize those whose passing has recently moved Read More …
Halisi Noel-Johnson is a printmaker and textile artist creating work at NIAD Art Center. For this online exhibition she paired her own works with those by her peers to tell a story about personal inspiration and symbols of power. View her exhibition here.
From Artforum: “The campaign to replace controversial monuments has faced pushback by those who believe that tearing down statues is equal to erasing history and has also been beset by legal obstacles. Governor Northam’s promise to take down General Lee has been challenged by a descendent of a Virginia family who deeded the land where the monument resides and has been temporarily blocked by a judge. On Saturday, thousands marched to the statue of Lee in protest of police violence and systemic racism. Several lawmakers attended the action in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protesters including Richmond Mayor Levar Read More …
As the song goes… “It’s astounding; Time is fleeting; Madness takes its toll But listen closely… Not for very much longer I’ve got to keep control… Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!” View and enjoy the exhibition.
The second week of June at NIAD would normally mark our public participation in Juneteenth and Pride in Richmond. When we celebrate in the NIAD Virtual Studio next Friday, we will honor the work that Black Lives, voices, and bodies have activated in our community. We will practice the liberation possible because of the work done by, in, and with LGBTQI activists, organizers, and everyday people. And we will recognize the ways that these histories intersect with disability justice and indigenous, POC, and intersectionally-identifying communities and their histories. This week, we’ve seen the incredible visibility of Creative Growth artist John Read More …
We’re delighted to announce that a pair of works on paper by our Felicia Griffin now accompany literary works by Sasha Burshteyn and Angbeen Saleem over in Pigeon Pages. See for yourself.
From our neighbors: “The Richmond Art Center is pleased to announce the appointment of José R. Rivera to the position of Executive Director. Board of Directors President Patricia Guthrie said: “Mr. Rivera brings a wealth of management experience and a deep commitment to the arts and community which we feel will help move the Richmond Art Center forward at a time of great societal change.” Mr. Rivera’s hire comes after an extensive search involving the Board of Directors, RAC Staff, and community members.” Read the rest of the press release.
Multi-disciplinary NIAD artist Dorrie Reid has chosen a show that speaks to and about this moment. As Dorrie explains, “I’m getting sick and tired of hearing news about people getting killed… I’m thinking about the future, and I’m thinking about right now. When will I be able to do my own thing without getting stressed out, and without any violence or cruelty?” View it here.
From the San Francisco Chronicle: “Clark Brooke signed the word “fast” in American Sign Language while shaping his lips to indicate “very fast.” Then he put on a cloth face mask and made the same sign. “Now you’re losing that facial expression, the mouth emphasis,” he said in ASL through an interpreter. “The face provides the tones and emphasis for ASL. You cannot remove it and just sign.” With health orders increasingly tightening the rules around wearing face masks in public, deaf and hard of hearing people confront a new accessibility challenge — how to communicate when part of the Read More …
From Hyperalleric: “Randall Woodfin, the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, ordered the removal of the Confederate Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Linn Park on Monday, and had the 115-year-old statue carted away by crane despite not having the authority to do so—the move was in violation of the Alabama Monuments Preservation Act, a law passed in 2017 which prohibits the relocation, removal, or alteration of monuments. Woodfin was not deterred by the potential repercussions of his decision, telling AL.com that he would rather pay a state fine than have more civil unrest. Woodfin told NBC that he has since received death threats. Read More …
Six years ago, yes, six years ago. That is how long ago we posted this online show organized by St Louis resident Jennifer McCoy. It was in response to events that happened in her city and were happening across the nation: the killing of unarmed Black men. More than a half-decade later, nothing has changed and more lives have been lost under the boots of and at the hands of brutal police officers. A number of works have sold since then and she’s updated the show with a few new pieces that are relevant to this moment. A portion of Read More …
“We will get through this together, love our community and our NIAD staff and artists” – Jason Powell Smith, quoted from a recent artwork made at Town Hall Meeting. “Honor of My Ancestors” – Dre’An Cox, protest sign. “It’s really important for those of us who are differently abled adults to support, respect, help with access, for others. We have a lot to offer.” – Halisi Noel-Johnson This week, NIAD has made commitments. In daily meetings, staff and artists commit to hear each other and respect lives lost to police violence. While there are many different opinions in the group Read More …
From The Richmond Standard: “Roughly 200 volunteers, including members of Bay Area Peacekeepers, which put out a community call for assistance, came out to 23rd Street on Monday to help board up businesses to ensure their protection. As night fell, while Richmond police were busy responding to vandalism and looting at the Shops at Hilltop and Target, volunteers remained stationed along 23rd Street to defend any onslaught that might come their way. Some drove up and down the strip to monitor for bad actors. While the volunteers are outraged over the death of Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody and Read More …
From Hyperallergic: “How should museums in the United States respond to the ongoing protests against racial injustice and police killings of Black Americans? Many museums have chosen to react to the nationwide protests by posting artwork by Black artists on social media together with a quote from the artists and/or a short statement of solidarity. While some on social media have congratulated these posts, others have criticized them as mere lip service and demanded more from these public institutions. And in one case, a museum is accused of silencing criticism from a former employee by disabling comments on a recent Read More …
Yes, we’ve just launched a music label… NIAD Sound Recordings. Sound Recordings is our effort to document the often fascinating musical talents of our artists. Sorta, like field recordings from the studio. First up, we’re proud and delighted to offer the album, Look At That Guitar!, a selection of songs with a rock’n’roll twangle from Eddie Braught and his acoustic six-string. In his art, Eddie’s detournements tackle images from the past, peppering the figures found on the pages of drawing manuals with headphones, reinvisioning a moment that never happened. While his drawings of guitars (as seen on this album cover) Read More …
For many people, NIAD continues to be their ‘happy place’ – we’re still working with our contemporary artists pursuing exceptional careers. However, this week, we’re also contemplating our role as advocates, activists, and organizers in the midst of undeniable truths. For our staff, artists, families, and care providers, it is a moment of action, as the California State Senate rejects budget cuts to our system. In the wider world, we must recognize the violence being done to our communities as our systems of power continue to brutalize black men and women. And in the Bay Area’s art world (and far beyond), we’ve Read More …
Using a selection of mostly works on paper, Andrew Holmquist gives us a quick tour of the city (and the hustle and bustle associated with it) as seen through the eyes of our artists! Enjoy.