Fabric Art display at Point Post Office

 POINT RICHMOND - Now through July 6, a new exhibition of fabric art by local artist Becca Riley is on display at the Point Richmond Post office, the Arts of Point Richmond reports.

Oil painting exhibit at Point Post Office

    An exhibition of oil paintings by Dee Bell (above) will be at the Point Post Office on Washington Avenue until April 5. 

     Her art is inspired by the organic shapes, patterns, and colors of nature. Dee lives in Point Richmond and loves painting local scenes. Many of her works also reflect the spirit of the years she lived in Hawaii. 

     She says that "Painting is pure joy to me." That delight is reflected in these colorful pieces of art.

(Photo by Bob Colin)

Arts of Point Richmond encore exhibits

POINT RICHMOND - Arts of Point Richmond has announced an encore to its Taking It Outdoors Preview, an open-air exhibit installed in the Point in the downtown this summer.

     The exhibit has drawn enthusiastic comments from the community and now features 28 banners.

     Reproductions of 12 new works were installed early this month around Washington Street and Park Place.

     Artists featured include:

Dee Bell, Jan Chleboun, Mary Lee Cole, Bob Colin, Sharon Goods (Encore poster), Jeanne Hendricksen, Bonnie Leonard, Kelly Nicolaisen, Virginia Rigney, Rebecca Riley, Chandra Renee Walker, Richard Ward, and Bill Voigt. For more info on this exciting project, visit http://takingitoutdoors.org

(Arts of Point Richmond is a community association established to enrich our 

community by providing support, appreciation, and exposure for the arts.) 

For more information: www.artsofpointrichmond.com

Arts of Point Richmond exhibits listed

POINT RICHMOND - The Arts of Point Richmond is filling the Point (and beyond) with art while we await spring. Below is a list of current AOPR exhibitions and events.

Lara's Fine Foods opens for business in the remodeled Saluté building in Marina Bay

   MARINA BAY - Lara's Fine Foods has opened in Marina Bay at the site of the former Saluté restaurant.

     After a grand opening at the harbor side site 1900 Esplanade Drive, the restaurant has had steady stream of customers for lunch and dinner.

     The restaurant is open from Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
     A few of the reviews on the social media website Nextdoor grumbled about the pricing - similar to that of the Hotel Mac, owned by the same entrepreneurial woman.
     But the food and drinks on the wide-ranging menu got almost entirely thumbs up - at least on Nextdoor.
     In addition to the food, drink and view of the harbor, the Arts of Point Richmond has a display up that is attracting plenty of customer attention.
     The link to the website for the new restaurant is: LARA'S FINE FOODS.
     The phone number for information or to make a reservation is 510-234-1860.

Holiday Faire and ongoing exhibits featured by Arts of Point Richmond

   POINT RICHMOND - Arts of Point Richmond will be holding its annual Holiday Faire Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Point Richmond Community Center on Washington Ave.
     The event will feature the works of local artists and authors and is always a great one-stop shopping spot for Christmas gifts.
     Paintings, drawings, photographs, jewelry, books and all manner of artwork will be on display.
     The artists and authors will be on site to chat with attendees, also.
     The Arts of Point Richmond also has ongoing exhibits including "Portraits of Life", paintings by Cherie Carter showing at the Post Office through January 6.
     Also showing is  "Critters," oil paintings by Jeanne M. Hendrickson and photographs by Sharon Taylor Ward showing at El Sol Restaurant, 101 Park Place.
     The El Sol exhibit runs through Jan. 27.

Book Passage author event in SF Monday

David Downie

   SAN FRANCISCO - Left Coast Writers will be hosting a special book event Monday at 6 p.m. at Book Passage - a conversation with David Downie, author of the newly released book, The Gardener of Eden and Linda Watanabe McFerrin of the Left Coast group.
     The book event will be held at the Book Passage storefront in the Ferry Building. The public is invited.
     Copies of The Gardener of Eden will be available for purchase and signing by the author as part of the event.

Linda Watanabe McFerrin

    Downie is also the author of A Taste of Paris and has called Paris home since 1986. He has written for more than 50 publications worldwide, including the LA Times, Salon.com, and Town & Country Travel. He is also the author of several cookbooks and crime novels.
    Watanabe-McFerrin is a poet, travel writer and novelist. She has won awards in multiple genres for her poetry and fiction. A collection of selected works by the author will be forthcoming this year from Alan Squires Publishing.

Artist's reception March 9 at Kaleidoscope

   POINT RICHMOND - A public reception to celebrate a new exhibit at Kaleidoscope Coffee (109 Park Place) will be held Saturday March 9 from 4-6 p.m.
     The work on display - from today until the end of April - is that of Sharon Goods, part of an exhibit titled Mostly Talking Heads.
     The works are considered to be a departure from the artist's typically abstract, figurative art.
     Goods described the work in this exhibit as "more graphic novelesque."
     "Favorite quotes, collected over the past few years, have landed with images of slightly offbeat characters to depict the humor, angst, absurdity and vulnerability of the human drama," she says.

El Sol, AOPR inaugurate special art gallery

   POINT RICHMOND - A special exhibit of illustrations and paintings by the late Linda Lee Calvan Drake begins Wednesday and runs until March 28 at El Sol Restaurant at 101 Park Place.
     Drake was President of the Arts of Point Richmond from 2010 until 2013 when she passed away.
     "Her enthusiasm and joyous approach to art was contagious and inspiring," Rita Gardner, communications director for AOPR said in a press release.
   The exhibition will include works in a series called "Vintage Views of Old Point Richmond Town."
     The special exhibit also marks the inauguration of the Linda Lee Calvan Drake Memorial Gallery at El Sol and will feature artwork by AOPR members. It also marks a collaboration between AOPR and Linda Lee Calvan Drake's sister, Josephine Orozco of El Sol.
     As part of the collaboration, a professional art display system has been installed with funding coming from the Gateway Foundation and AOPR.
   For more information about AOPR, click on this link: www.artsofpointrichmond.com

Book launch party Saturday at Kaleidoscope for 'The Devil's Pipeline'

   POINT RICHMOND - A book launch party to celebrate publication of The Devil's Pipeline - the third eco-thriller novel by Point Richmond resident Michael J. Fitzgerald - will be held Saturday,  from 2-4 p.m. at Kaleidoscope Coffee, 109 Park Place.
     The open-to-the-public event will include a brief presentation by Fitzgerald about the novel, a reading from The Devil's Pipeline, copies of the novel for sale and a book signing.
     Kaleidoscope will have coffee, other beverages and snacks for sale.
     The Devil's Pipeline chronicles the crusading work of Jack Stafford, an investigative columnist whose writing focuses on the environment and particularly the energy industry. Stafford's work - and that of fellow journalists - was also the focus of The Fracking War (2014) and Fracking Justice (2015).
     "Fitzgerald’s novel may be fiction, but the conflict between big energy companies and grassroots
defenders of land, water, and a livable planet is very real," Point resident Steve Early says. Early is  author of Refinery Town: Big Oil, Big Money.

AOPR Holiday Faire set for December 8

   POINT RICHMOND - The annual Arts of Point Richmond Holiday Faire will be held Saturday Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
     The event will be at the Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Street.
     The public is invited to come by to chat with local  artists and authors as well as browse their paintings, drawings, books, photographs, cards and other artwork on display.
     Many of the items will also be for sale and would make good gifts for the holiday season.
     In addition, AOPR will be providing homemade cookies for attendees.

Evening of films Friday at Bridge ArtSpace

   RICHMOND - The Richmond Arts and Culture Commission and local filmmaker Hector Ortiz will present two short films Friday at the Bridge Storage and ArtSpace film studio, 23 Maine Ave., Richmond.
     The theme of the films is "The Upstanding Immigrant." The event runs from 7-10 p.m. A discussion of the films will follow the screening.
     Ortiz won a RACC mini-grant to complete his film, "Announcement." The film focuses on how the end of the DACA program impacts one Dreamer's family.
     A second short film, "The Perfect Immigrant" by local filmmaker Javier Lopez Quintana will be shown also. Quintana is submitting the film the Sundance project 1234 program,
    Ortiz's first film is one in a proposed series titled "In the Shadows" about the lives of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
     He is a 2014 graduate of Contra Costa Community College's digital film program.
     For more information about the film, follow this link: Upstanding Immigrant.

'Winning Richmond' a review of Lt. Gov. candidate Gayle McLaughlin's book

   RICHMOND, Calif. - Winning Richmond (Hardball Press, 2018) by former Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin is often compared to another book about the city, Refinery Town (Beacon Press, 2017) by Point Richmond resident Steve Early.
     While both books cover much of the same historical ground, detailing the influence of the Richmond Progressive Alliance in changing the politics of the city, they come at it from different angles with different writing styles, offering sometimes different perspectives on the same issues.
     Refinery Town offers a hard charging look at the city, politics and progressive change, penned by an author with an outsider-journalist narrative style. (LINK: Refinery Town)
    Winning Richmond is a softer, personal look at how the RPA and progressives in the community were able to break the stranglehold of Chevron on local politics and McLaughlin's emergence as a progressive city leader.
     (LINK: Winning Richmond)
   

Gayle McLaughlin

 It's no accident that this book came out early this year in her run for Lt. Governor of California on the June primary ballot.
     Winning Richmond is as much memoir as political history. McLaughlin talks at length about her upbringing, family life and events that brought her to California. She was assisted bringing the book to publication by Diana Wear of Point Richmond, an RPA member, activist and professional editor.
     The book offers an abundance of details about the rise of the progressive movement offering plenty of author insights about the inner workings (and infighting) of city politics.
     Since the book came out earlier this spring, most of the reports are that it generally pleases McLaughlin's progressive allies - and gives fits to her political opponents.
     But regardless of political stripe, there is something for everyone in Winning Richmond.

Sculpture display in Post Office windows

   POINT RICHMOND - Sculptures by Richard Black are on display until the end of April in the Point Richmond Post Office windows.
      Black has an art studio in Richmond - Brickhouse Sculpture - where he offers weekly classes.
      The sculptor served in the U.S. Army and came to San Francisco to study fine art at the Academy of Art University. He found his passion in sculpture and won multiple awards at AAU as a figurative sculptor.
     After he graduated with the BFA, he and his wife moved to Richmond and opened their shared art studio.
     For more information about the artist, check out his website RICHARD BLACK or call 802-363-6579.

Arts of Point Richmond artists' reception and exhibit today at Kaleidoscope Coffee

   POINT RICHMOND - Arts of Point Richmond is having an artists' reception and exhibit of their work today at Kaleidoscope Coffee, 109 Park Place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
     The title of the exhibit is Recent Photography and Works on Paper with featured artists George Tomberlin and Betsy Kellas. 
     AOPR says that "George Tomberlin is a photographer who delights in paying attention to ordinary things that become 'accidentally beautiful, visually puzzling, or emotionally touching.' Many of these photographs in were taken in Point Richmond. 
     "Betsy Kellas explores the intersection of visual and psychological space. She is presenting monotypes from two series, Troubled Waters, and Barriers and Boundaries, and one monotype titled “They are a lot of fun to shoot” in response to the recent horrors at a Florida school."

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Arts of Point Richmond (AOPR) is a volunteer association established to enrich the community by support, appreciation, and exposure for the arts. AOPR provides exhibition opportunities for members and creates events organized by an active coalition of artists. AOPR was established in 2008 and currently has over 80 members. For more information, visit the Arts of Point Richmond website here: AOPR.

BridgeStorage and Artspace to re-open doors soon - pre-launch open house set

   RICHMOND - The BridgeStorage and Artspace is having a pre-launch open house at its 23 Maine Avenue Richmond facility.
     The open house will be Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m.

A work in progress - but almost ready

     There will be guided tours of co-working space, art space (in shared and private studios) gallery and meeting space, Bridge FilmSpace (a new facility for independent filmmakers) and Maker Space.
     There will be food and drink - and live music performed by Brian Lawrence.
     And every hour there will be a mini-film festival provided by Bridge FilmSpace.
     Attendees will also receive information about how to obtain a free month at the new facility.

AOPR Holiday Faire in The Point Saturday

   POINT RICHMOND - The annual Arts of Point Richmond Holiday Faire this Saturday will feature paintings, drawings, jewelry, photographs, textiles and books, all for the public to peruse - and purchase.
     The creators of the various pieces of art and books will be on site to chat also.
     And there will be refreshments.
     The event begins at 11 a.m. at the Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Avenue in Point Richmond.
    The faire will close at about 4:30 p.m.

AOPR Holiday Faire set for December 9

   POINT RICHMOND - The annual Arts of Point Richmond Holiday Faire will be Saturday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Ave.
     The public is invited to come to meet AOPR artists and authors.
     There will be artwork and books on sale as well as tasty homemade cookies for anyone who stops by.
     For more information about Arts of Point Richmond, follow this link: AOPR

Book releases celebrated Saturday at Saluté

   RICHMOND - Richmond residents Lily Iona MacKenzie and Michael Zimmerman celebrated publication their recently released books Saturday at Saluté Restaurant in Marina Bay from 4 to 6 p.m.
     As part of the festivities, there were appetizers and drinks.
   
      Lily's book - Curva Peligrosa - is described by author Steve Bauer as "a wildly inventive and amusing novel."
     Michael's book, Tyrants of the Heart is a look into the brilliant and often impenetrable literary world of James Joyce. Michael draws upon his years of experience as an English professor and psychoanalyst to uncover conflicts in Joyce's characters.
   
     Both books are also available through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

'A Night in Venice' Friday in The Point

   POINT RICHMOND - Kaleidoscope Cafe in Point Richmond Friday night will feature music, a talk by local author and a performance by an acting troupe directed by Masquers Playhouse all beginning at 7 p.m.

     Beer, wine, coffee, tea and other refreshments are available to purchase from Kaleidoscope.
     A Night in Venice is a celebration of the publication of the novel, Venetian Blood by Point Richmond author Christine Evelyn Volker.
    The evening will begin with music played by the Town Quartet, followed by a presentation by Volker - including a short reading.
     Following the reading, actors will perform an dramatic scene of an interogation featured early the novel.

Christine Volker

     Volker's novel will be on sale at Kaleidoscope during the evening. She will also be available to sign copies of her book.
     Venetian Blood has been getting excellent reviews since hitting the market this summer - including this one published in July in The Point - Arts: Mystery & Intrigue Flow in 'Venetian Blood'