Drawing Room SF
“Food Chain”
FOOD CHAIN was originally conceived as a show about the process of producing and consuming food—the earth, agriculture, water & land use, chains of food distribution and commentaries on how & what we eat. The title also encompasses a broader definition of the phrase, i.e. a hierarchical system or structure—a pecking order, power dynamics and the like.
FOOD CHAIN WILL BE AT THE 210 CLEMENT ST. GALLERY
Exhibition Dates: Thursday, May 16th-Sunday, July 7th, 2024
Opening Reception in tandem with the Clement St. ArtWalk: May 16, 5-8pm
Coastside Asian Pacific American Heritage
“We are Present, Artists with Asian Roots”
Exhibition Statement
America is a melting pot of many different cultures. Learning about them enriches our world and expands how we interact. This exhibition focuses on artists with Asian roots. What do we choose to reveal, express, and explore, and why? Each artist works uniquely, and this is an opportunity for their art to be seen on the Coastside.
This will be the first Coastside exhibition focusing on contemporary Asian artists. It will occur during May/June, in sync with the first Coastside Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The Venue
The “We Are Present” exhibition will be displayed in Na Omi Shintani’s Kitsune Community Art Studio, in “The Old Barn.” For 15 years, the Kitsune studio has been the location for art workshops, book club meetings, and gatherings. The exhibition opening will be on the same date as the monthly open studios for “The Old Barn.”
Reception: May 18, 2024, 1-4.
Exhibition: May 18-June 16, 2024
Hours: Saturday – Sunday, noon—5 p.m.
Richmond Art Center
“Home Show”
Featuring: Eli Africa, Ned Axthelm, Colleen Garland, Julia LaChica, Travis Meinolf and Kristin Satzman
Exhibition: April 10 – June 15, 2024
Reception: Thursday, April 18, 5pm-7pm
Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804
Home never means just one thing. Home Show brings together artworks that respond to the theme of ‘home’ to explore the objects, people, sentiments and stories that come together to shape the structures where we live.
This exhibition also showcases the artistic talents of Richmond Art Center’s teaching artists working in the studios. Spanning weaving, painting, printmaking, ceramics and video, Home Show embraces the creativity thriving at home in our organization.
The Drawing Room Annex
“Women Raising 2024”
Show Dates: FEBRUARY 24 - March 24TH, 2024
Opening Reception: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, 4-9pm.
The 2024 WOMEN RISING Open Call asks Bay Area female-identifying and non-binary artists to submit work that reflects on women’s rights around the world: in many places their erosion and decline as a result of governmental restrictions, war, climate change, immigration, racism and domestic violence. As with all dark things, there are also opposite forces at work resulting in positive change and illumination of movements underway both domestically and internationally.
Arc Gallery & Studios
“The 6000 Circle Project”
Show Dates: FEBRUARY 24 - APRIL 6TH, 2024
Opening Reception: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, 7-9pm.
In collaboration with The Calling (Yasmin Lambie-Siimpson, Chantelle Goldthwaite, Sheila Metcalf-Tobin). The project focuses on the circle as a symbol of balance and unity, a never ending container of feminine energy and light. The Calling envisions 6000 circles created by a multitude of artists from around the globe, both groups and individuals gathering and making for a series of interactive public installations. Circles made by NCWCA members and the public will be exhibited in the Arc Project Gallery.
Arc Gallery & Studios
“48 Pillars”
Show Dates: FEBRUARY 24 - APRIL 6TH, 2024
Featured artists: John Arbuckle, Kathryn Arnold, Richard Bolingbroke, Carlos Cartagena, Stacey Carter, Jennifer Ewing, Annie Galvin, Howard Hersh, Uma Rani Iyli, Ivy Jacobsen, Julia LaChica, Katja Leibenath, Lisa Levine, Fernanda Martinez, Nance Miller, Yari Ostovany, Namita Paul, Eric Rewitzer, Wendy Robushi, Sawyer Rose, Michael Shemchuk, Stephanie Steiner, Paula Valenzuela, Fumiyo Yoshikawa.
48 Pillars was inspired by a chance encounter at Flax with a close-out sale of deep vertical panels,
48” x 12” x 1 5/8”. 24 local Bay Area artists will each produce two companion pieces or diptychs on these identically sized panels. The panels exactly ring the gallery – 48 works in total.
This is the 8th annual 48 Pillars exhibition at Arc Gallery. It is essentially a “structural constraint” show. The artists are unconstrained in subject matter, except to the extent that works need to be a series, but they are constrained in format.
Drawing Room
“Home”
Show Dates: JANUARY 13TH-FEBRUARY 11TH, 2024 (Gallery Open hours: Thursday-Sun, 11-7)
Preview Night: FRIDAY, JANUARY 12TH 6-8pm
Opening Reception: SATURDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 5-9pm.
Arc Gallery & Studio
The color Black is the first pigment used by human beings in prehistory, made from a mixture of charcoal and iron - it was the beginning, but it also symbolically represents the end. White is thought of as purity, but white is often tinted in some way, with subtle gradations.
Juror’s Statement:
Jurying this show brings me full circle in my Black & White World. Having grown up in TV Land peering inside the Ricardos’ grey on grey apartment and singing along with the black Supremes and the white Beatles on Ed Sullivan, I felt startled and uncomfortable when color was being introduced on the small screen. My Black & White World slowly disappeared and was evolving into a Disneyesque version of the real world. It was all very confusing. As an artist, photographing exclusively in black and white for the past 8 years, and a Juror having this opportunity to view so many outstanding submissions for this show, I’m confident there is a promising future for black and white.
My selection process for Black & White began with wanting to indulge myself with feeling wowed! Please show me something I do not want to stop looking at. Please allow me to wonder about and admire your inspiration, your technique, and your execution. Please make me feel, as a collector, that I want to include your work. Congratulations and very special thanks to the artists selected for Black & White.
- James Bacchi, James Bacchi Contemporary, Palm Springs, CA
Studio 23
“8th annual Blacklight Art Show” The Halloween Blacklight Art Show is an experience best suited to the time of year when the veils grow thin between worlds, other dimensions seep through in deceptively cheery colors to blind you beyond science.
RSVP | Friday October 27th 7pm @Studio23gallery
2023 Press Release Google Doc (For Most Up-to-Date) | PDF
7-9pm 2nd Friday
BlackLight Closing Dec 7th Fri 7 PM · 9PM
Voss Gallery
“Refusés of the Bay” is a tribute to the 1863 Salon des Refusés, which showcased rejected artwork from the highly acclaimed Paris Salon, featuring a staggering two-thirds of the submitted work that was not initially chosen. This renegade art fair included emerging works from James McNeill Whistler, Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and other world-renowned artists whose careers took off after the show.
This year, the de Young Museum received over 7,700 submissions to its triennial open call for community artists and fewer than 900 were selected. To narrow the gap, Voss Gallery and Metal Haus Gallery are partnering to provide platforms for the work of other exceptional local artists to be shown.
Opening Reception on Friday, Sept. 29th, 5-9PM at Voss Gallery followed by an Afterparty at Metal Haus Gallery at 9PM. Both exhibitions will be on view through October 28, 2023. Voss Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 12-6PM or by appointment. Metal Haus Gallery hours are Friday-Monday by appointment.
Four Chicken Gallery
San Francisco artists and galleries are embracing this rebellious tradition by mounting their own Salons des Refusés in response to the de Young Museum’s rejection of some 6,000 artworks from its 2023 open-call exhibition, the "de Young Open."
Through Sept. 3
Opening Reception: Aug. 25, 6-9 p.m.
Four Chicken Gallery | 432 Cortland Ave., SF
@fourchickengallery
Arc Gallery & Studios
"PORTALS" NCWCA Member Juried Exhibition
sponsored by the Northern California National Women's Caucus for Art. Juror: Karen Gutfreund, NCWCA Member, artist, curator
EXHIBITION: June 17 - August 12, 2023
#351 North Beach Public Housing is a 6" x 6" acrylic painting on cradled birch panel from 2023. It represents a historic public housing project in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. The artwork uses negative and positive space, along with stencils and mark-making, to convey a story of resilience, determination, and inner strength amidst difficult circumstances.
The painting takes us back to the late 1960s, focusing on a young girl living in the North Beach Housing Project. This girl symbolizes hope and potential, and her journey goes beyond the canvas, opening up a portal into a future full of promise and opportunity.
The narrative of this painting revolves around the journey of my childhood friend. Despite the numerous challenges she encountered while living in the North Beach housing project, she emerged into an extraordinary writer. Through her work, she collects and shares the captivating stories of her community, bringing to the forefront the experiences, dreams, and aspirations of the marginalized.
The colors and textures in the painting represent a transformative process of growth and self-discovery. It symbolizes the vibrant spirit that thrives even in challenging circumstances. The stencils depict the barriers and obstacles faced by the community, while the mark-making shows their resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles, creating a powerful metaphor for the resilience of the human spirit.
Overall, #351 North Beach Public Housing is more than just a static portrayal of a place and time. It is an exploration of the human experience and the transformative power of perseverance, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams. The painting serves as a reminder that every individual has the potential to rise above their circumstances and find their voice, purpose, and place in life's tapestry.
At Mo’ Roots Fest 2023
Interactive Art Installation, Liberation Park / Black Cultural Zone, Foothill Blvd. Oakland, CA. 94605
Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1-6pm
BoomShake Music, in partnership with the Black Cultural Zone, as part of Oakland Juneteenth Liberation Month presents a community arts & culture gathering sparked by the seeds, roots, and branches of artist, teacher, mother, and friend Monica Hastings-Smith aka Mo’ Clearly, who transitioned to the ancestor realm in June 2021.
Studio 23
Come join me and Studio 23 for an in person as Victor Mavedzenge host's their very first Live Art Talk! All 3 studios will be open and showing artworks by artists featured (including me) in the 2020, 2021 & 2022 East Bay Artist's Art Book! May 20 - June 16, 2023
Opening: May 20, 2023 7-10 pm
Studio 23, 2309 B Encinal Ave., Alameda CA 94501
Live music by The Helltones! Light Appetizers. Free event!
Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA)
Works form over 60 artists in Chico CA!
𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆: 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕/𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕 opens on Thursday, May 18, 2023. 900 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95926
Opening Reception on Friday, May 19, from 6 pm - 8 pm.
Over 60 artists. No Host Bar. Free event.
Irreverent Art Gallery
Let's Get Goated! A group show & benefit in Daly City May 7-July 7th
30 artists tackle goats. At the Bay Area's newest gallery: Tattooed Goat Society's Irreverent Art Gallery in downtown Daly City, this light-filled spacious gallery and tattoo shop will be packed with artist's work in stained glass, blacklight illustrations, cheeky cartoons, oil paintings and more. This grand opening show runs May 7th- July 7th. Let's Get Goated has partnered with @goatlandia_sanctuary to raise funds for the goat rescue and educational work they do. Tattoo artists of Tattooed Goat Society will be hosting goat themed tattoo flash days and raffleing off tattoo time with award winning tattoo artist @tattooverb Opening reception is May 7th 6pm. Let's get #Goated together!
The Ping
I participated in a call that was seeking stories from both current and former residents of San Francisco's Ping Yuen Housing Complex. The purpose was to share our unique experiences and reflect on the remarkable resilience, collective community advocacy, and achievements of the residents.
These captivating stories were masterfully woven together in the film titled “And the Community Will Rise”, directed by the talented Lenora Lee, who is also a renowned dancer and choreographer. By sharing my own story, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride, knowing that I was part of a vibrant community of activists and everyday individuals who united and fought tirelessly for a life filled with dignity and respect.
Northern Illinois University Art Gallery (NIU)
STORIES FROM MY CHILDHOOD
National Juried Show. This exhibit features stories of transformative or impactful events from preteen years via an original work of art and accompanying text.
The Ping
In the heart of San Francisco's vibrant 1960s, a young girl named Julia LaChica found herself immersed in the era of "Flower Power." Raised by a single mother, she and her siblings lived in a flat in the Western Addition neighborhood, just a stone's throw away from the iconic Haight Ashbury.
Their journey was far from easy. Julia and her siblings spent countless hours alone in their flat, while their mother worked to make ends meet. Then, fate took an unexpected turn when Julia's older brother, curious at the age of five, accidentally set their home on fire while searching under his bed with a candle.
Word of the devastating fire reached the ears of Child Protective Services, forcing Julia's mother to make a difficult choice. She quit her job and their lives took an unforeseen path as they entered the realm of public assistance, relying on food stamps to sustain themselves. Their new home at the North Ping Yuen public housing complex was one of San Francisco's four buildings dedicated to housing the city's low income community in Chinatown. Fondly known as "The Ping," this apartment building became a sanctuary where both good and bad memories would interweave.
The food allowance from Social Services was not enough to sustain the family and Julia's mother, determined to provide for her children, ventured back into the workforce. In this painting, young Julia, at four years old, stands in front of the Ping as a city bus looms in the background—a symbol of her mother's absence. A talk bubble bears the words translated as, "see you later." The image captures Julia's deep yearning for her mother's presence.
Arc Gallery SF
VOYAGE
“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Roots Are Strong [The Journey to Freedom]" is a commissioned piece created in 2022, measuring 40" x 60" and painted with acrylic on canvas. It draws inspiration from the impactful work of photojournalist Brooke Anderson and Oakland's street Drumming Ensemble, BoomShake Music. This artwork serves as a tribute to Monica Hastings-Smith, our esteemed Musical Director & Co-Founder, who transitioned to the ancestral realm in June 2021.
The title, "Roots Are Strong," derives from a song composed by Monica, which delves into our shared struggles and encourages resilience, unity, and progress. The painting aims to capture the vibrant energy generated when we come together, marching side by side, drumming, and chanting in unison. It symbolizes our collective activism in various important causes such as fair housing, living wages, addressing police brutality, and advocating for black lives.
In this piece, I depicted Monica wearing a red cape, representing her ability to unite the community and lead with love and compassion. She always embraced and encouraged the unique strengths of the group. The golden aura surrounding her signifies her alignment with her highest purpose, both in life and after passing. As dandelions drift through time and space, spreading seeds, they symbolize the tremendous power one individual possesses to inspire many. The water flowing from the drum nourishes the calla lilies, serving as a tribute to Monica's memory.
Additionally, the painting incorporates other symbolic elements. The color green signifies nature, health, and growth, symbolizing hope for the future. Purple represents strength, transformation, wisdom, and power. Sepia, reminiscent of nostalgia and history, adds a sense of depth and connection to the past. Lastly, the orange circle represents unity, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community.
Overall, "Roots Are Strong [The Journey to Freedom]" is a heartfelt artwork that honors Monica Hastings-Smith's legacy and captures the essence of collective strength, resilience, and hope for a better future.
Nichi Bei News
May 26, 2022 by Derek Tahara, Nichi Bei Weekly
Exhibit promotes ‘accepting’ Queer Nikki in S.F.’s JA
The exhibit “has become something much grander than what I had ever envisioned,” Hirai, who is a trans woman, said in a Zoom interview with the Nichi Bei Weekly.
Asian American Woman Artists Association (AAWAA)
Slide Slam 2022
Event Date: March 26, 2022 @ 4-6PM PST
Venue: Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post Street, San Francisco & Online via Zoom & YouTube
*ASL Interpretation Provided
An annual event where AAWAA Artist Members and other invited AAPI women artists present their work in a rapid-fire format of 4 slides in 4 minutes as presenters to give updates on their art projects. Co-presented by AAWAA and KOHO, this program creates networking opportunities between our artist community and special guests who include prominent educators, curators, gallerists, researchers, collectors and other art professionals.
Featured Presenting Artists:
Lisa Chiu, Riti Dhesi, Paulina Hoong, Kay Kang, Julia LaChica, Kristi Lin, Na Omi Judy Shintani, Cynthia Tom, O.M. France Viana + more TBA!
Featured Guests:
Barnali Ghosh (Artist, Historian, and Founder of the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour)
Corey Madden (Executive Director of the Monterey Museum of Art), Sharon Mizota (Art Critic and Archivist)
Indra Mungal (Director of Educational Programs at the Asian Art Museum)
Graduates of the Emerging Curators Program: Lisa Chiu, Mido Lee, Diana Li, and Kelsay Myers
ART CHANGES
About Art Changes:
Challenged by the overwhelming need for creative student engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, Art Changes is designed to help teachers provide visual art instruction and appreciation in their classrooms, whether virtual or in-person.
Art Changes presents video demonstrations by featured artists accompanied by a hands-on student project influenced by each artist’s work. The artists’ videos weave stories of inspiration and perspective that reflect the rich diversity of the Bay Area. Limiting the materials needed to engage in the interactive arts experiences promotes equity and accessibility. Art project videos are created and produced by Will Chang and J Hernandez.
Art Changes partners with the Rhythmix Performance, Art & Learning (PAL) program, to provide these visual art resources at no cost to students throughout Alameda County.
ARTPUSH
2020, 2021 & 2022 EAST BAY ARTBOOK
Each book showcases selected works by approximately 100 East Bay artists. Limited availability. https://artpush.org
Freedom is Power, 9” x 12”, mixed media collage, 2022
Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA)
2020 SELFIE
Museum of Northern California Art, Nov 19, 2020 – Jan 24, 2021, 900 Esplanade, Chico, CA.
Reviews:
https://chico.newsreview.com/2020/12/10/where-are-you/
https://theorion.com/85730/arts/the-monca-finishes-the-year-strong-with-selfie-2020/
California College of the Arts (CCA)
CREATIVE CITIZENS IN ACTION
The CCA@CCA Artwork Campaign is part of Creative Citizens in Action (CCA@CCA), an initiative at California College of the Arts that promotes creative activism and democratic engagement, and features work by 66 CCA students, faculty, staff, and alumni who responded to an open call for artwork and poster designs that encourage civic engagement. Submissions are showcased on the Creative Citizens in Action website.
DOWNLOAD AND SHARE.
Art and poster designs by me and 42 other artists and designers is available for free download. ⇩