amanda eicher

a flyer for a panel discussion - a black and white image of an industrial street scene. All text is info included in the event listing.

FOG Fair Panel Discussion with Amanda Eicher

The Bay Area has historically led conversations around neurodiverse artists. Three Bay Area progressive independent art centers – Creativity Explored, Creative Growth, and Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development (NIAD) –  have expanded representation for developmentally disabled artists. This conversation will convene contemporary artists and curators who work with and for these three organizations to celebrate the power of art to change lives. Read More …

two arms and hands without bodies clasp each other, with the words "creativity explored SF" and "old friends new friends" written on the arms. a figure, in profile, with long arms, long hair and huge feet, stands in the bottom right corner.

Reading by Amanda Eicher and Andrew McKinley // Creativity Explored

Old Friends/New Friends takes inspiration from Creativity Explored’s generous four-decade history in the Mission district in San Francisco. Over the course of the summer 2023, Creativity Explored artists, in workshops along with guest artists, including several original participants of the fabled Mission School, have created work about their community, friends and neighborhood. Read More …

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 …

A graphic of a collection of artworks included in the holiday gift guide. arranged in a grid.

NIAD Holiday Gift Guide #4: “SISTER SISTER” collected by Amanda and Sarah Eicher

Posted onAuthorNIAD Art Center

About “SISTER SISTER” Some people think we look alike; others think our voices sound the same, and still others mistake us for each other – but do we have the same taste?  We definitely swapped clothes, jewelry, sneakers, and a few items we argued over as tiny pups in the world.In this selection, I tried to choose for my sister a few of the things I think she might have borrowed from my childhood bedroom – or that I’d want to borrow from hers. (Unsurprisingly, we chose a few of the same items the first time around!) As the younger sibling, I 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 …