I registered for a 10 am workshop, but arrived shortly after the art center opened so I had time to…read moreleisurely view the works on display in the main gallery and in other smaller galleries. I am always impressed by the caliber of the work on display, regardless of whether it's the work of professionals or young children who have taken classes at the center or work from area schools in coordination with their art teachers. Workshop participants created a paper plate "succulent" to take home. Although the workshop required pre-registration, it was free. Many parents worked along side their young children,?while teenagers clustered together. The presenter's own sculptures reminded me of Dr Seuss drawings come to life. It was evident that a fun time was had by all.

Came here for the spring exhibitions opening reception and had a great time. Was a bit surprised…read morethat masking was still required indoors but they provided masks at the front. The exhibits were nicely organized and flowed well. The Richmond Art Center seems well-maintained overall and they did an excellent job with the opening reception, including the yummy food and drinks in the courtyard. I just wish they had more seating during events. While making my way around, I saw artwork from local students as well and the classrooms in the back which was cool. If you're an East Bay local, I highly recommend stopping by the Richmond Art Center at some point or checking out their class offerings.

For whatever reason, I am slow reviewing businesses in my own backyard. I take for granted that our…read morelocal shops will always be here, so it is sad when after ten years they shutter their doors. Kelly Nicolaisen and her husband Jacinto Castillo, owners of The Mom & Pop Shop have been vibrant members of our community. The shop was a destination for an eclectic collection of art, greeting cards quirky items, jewelry and other hand crafted items all sourced and curated from local artists. They also functioned as an art gallery. If you needed something in particular that wasn't in stock (a set of acrylic paint pens for example), Kelly was happy to order them for you. There was always so much to look at and take in. Our community wishes them all the best in their future endeavors!

A lovely art shop with tons of supplies, art, trinkets, gifts, and more. Great in-store service and…read moregood prices. Great community location.

This is a gold mine of hidden talent. Just purchasing a few things before the holidays. I found…read morethat this gallery has a wide selection of original paintings and affordable Giclee Prints. Fine jewelry, Pottery, gift cards just name it! Also if you have some spare time. They have weekly Art classes to choose from. Just look for the neon sign, Pinole Artisans = " )

From the owner: Fine art, jewelry and gifts for sale by local artists…read more About Us The Pinole Artisans Foundation is a non-profit community organization whose purpose is to promote the arts, provide a forum for Pinole-area artists and artisans and to sponsor lectures, classes, and other artistic learning events and activities

Now, I have to let you know that I worked at NIAD back in the day and met my husband there. He…read morestill works there and my leaving and time there was brutal! But, boy have times changed! I love coming here for the art, the comraderie of the staff and the clients are full of love, hugs and joy! I have bought art there, I have bought jewelry there, and we went to NYC to be present with one of their artists who had a piece in the Whitney Bienniel! I was hired to be the personal secretary to Dr. Katz who founded Creative Growth in Oakland, Creativity Explored in San Francisco, and Creativity Unlimited in San Jose (I believe they closed a while back). I was at the first conference of Art and Disabilities held at the center with representatives from the four centers and others. Some came as far away as Canada and Minnesota. At that time, Creative Growth was the star of the group and we all aspired to have their success. Well, NIAD has found it. The idea for the center started after the mental health facilities in CA were closed by Ronald Reagan. But before the closure, Florence, his wife and artist, would drive up with art supplies so that the people could create art. A lot of the clients were relocted to the bay area and he opened the center for them to create art. Eli was passionate about the clients and felt that they had a right to create and he created a center where that's possible. I'm sure that he is beaming over everything that NIAD has become - an inclusive, welcoming place where artists get a chance for creative expression and can earn money from what they make. Good job for keeping it up guys!

I came to NIAD in November 2023 believing I had finally found my place…read more I am an artist and a small business owner. I have spent over 10 years trying to build my own creative business, and within my first month at NIAD I sold a hand-knitted piece I had made there. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I could make art, sell my work, and be myself. For about a year, everything felt right. That changed in November 2024 when a new client joined the program. Almost immediately I sensed something was off about this person. My gut told me he was going to be trouble, even though I couldn't name exactly why yet. Over the following months a pattern emerged: he would instigate conflict, encourage others to exclude me, and single me out -- sometimes right in front of staff. At a fundraiser event I watched him high-five every single person in the room and deliberately skip me. I began to question my own reality. Was I imagining it? Was something wrong with me? The first serious incident happened around March 2025. A staff member named Amber was already emotionally distressed due to the recent death of a former artist at the program. I made an offhand joke -- the kind I make regularly, it's just part of my personality -- and it landed badly given her grief. The situation escalated. The client I had been having problems with was sitting right beside her and actively fanned the flames, instigating the conflict. Amber told me she hated me and that I was a bad person. I was humiliated and I responded with words I regret. I take responsibility for my part. But when it was over, I felt blamed for the entire incident. I was out of the program for several days. What troubled me most was not the conflict itself -- it was the complete failure of leadership to address what had been happening. Director Ember Avalos and program head never meaningfully intervened in the months of ongoing exclusion and instigation I experienced. There was no acknowledgment that another client had been deliberately targeting me. No real support. When I raised my concerns formally, complaints were filed with multiple agencies including RCEB, DSS Community Care Licensing, and Disability Rights California. Every investigation came back with no violations found. I have childhood trauma and a history of feeling like I don't belong. A program specifically serving people with disabilities should understand that sustained social exclusion -- left unaddressed by staff and leadership -- causes real harm. I tried to make it work for over a year. I left worse off than when I arrived. This place is not only unsafe, but it caused a lot of trauma and failed to protect artists. There is bullying, emotional abuse, and financial abuse going on in this facility. I would not recommend.

Me and my friend went in the store abrams claghorn gallery because we are interested in art. But…read moreone of the employees kept staring at us, even though there was multiple others in the store so we left disturbed and uncomftorable.

This place is a total gem. I first encountered the gallery in 2020 when my photograph was included…read morein an exhibit in the gallery. I was impressed by the way the owner made efforts to keep the gallery both safe and welcoming in a difficult time. He was also creative about sharing work and events online. I live in Oakland, so it isn't convenient to do much of my shopping there, but I do find it to be a treat to go in when I can. Some stores feel so full, it can be overwhelming and some are so spare, it is almost awkward, I am in and out. I find the store to be just right. It's relaxing to browse and there are enough things to see to keep you there for quite a while. The presentation is quite nice. Nearly everything in the store is handmade by a local artisan.

One of my favorite artist communities to spend time at! over 43 artists in one room, with a mix of…read moremostly painters and also assemblage work, glass, mosaics, illustration, ceramic. and more. It is mostly a private studio for members to work, but there are open studios through the year and other moments to meet members and take a tour inside.

I just adore Firehouse Art collective! There are so many interesting Artist doing different kind of…read morework here. Really worth seeing the place when you can. If you're looking for a place to practice your craft, this would be a good choice.

I can't recommend Nielsen Framing enough. I've had two recent projects framed by them-one a rush…read moreorder which needed a super fast turnaround, and one smaller but more sentimental photo which needed a cuter frame-and each time they were knowledgeable, helpful, tasteful in helping pick out frames and mats...and also just really kind in a way I miss experiencing when I don't shop locally. I showed up right before closing (I'm so sorry!) and they still graciously took the time to help me out so I wouldn't need to make a second trip. The price of both jobs was way lower than you'll find online or in box stores, and the quality was just incredible.

These guys are great…read more if you have nice pieces that you want preserved for a long time, and a great colobrative process on picking through all the options - there is no other choice. When you are spending time and money on something that you want to last a lifetime (and beyond), they exceeded my expectations on the process and the final product.

I've had several paintings & photos framed & was very pleased. Pam helped me select unique frames…read morefor each & I love seeing them on my walls. This is also a great place to find new pieces for your collection (cool jewelry as well).

We rode the SMART train into town for fun one day. We didn't have a plan other than to walk around…read more We happened upon Art Works after visiting Riley Street. Both my kiddos are very artistic and were absolutely thrilled to tour this studio/gallery space. The front desk attendant was very welcoming, and we all really enjoyed being surrounded with so much creativity. There was something to see at almost every turn, and even a few interactive pieces. It really was a treat to see my kids soak it all in and to be in their element for a change. It will be our go-to destination on all future jaunts to San Rafael.

On my first visit I found a community of artists ready to invite me into their studios and share…read moretheir meaningful works of art. Barbara, one of the artists there, even gave me a tour of the space, galleries and filled me in on the history and mission of the building and community. As a non-profit organization they work to keep the costs low for renting studio space and allow artists to rent gallery space for exhibitions. And I'm very much looking forward to the next art walk which occurs every 2nd Friday of the month. If you're looking to find an artistic community in Marin County, or just enjoy speaking with passionate artists, then you've found the right spot.

I had a nice day date with my mom here the other week! Upstairs is the permanent collection, which…read moreshowcases a lot of the city's history. Downstairs we're a collection of art pieces. In the courtyard that day, the artists were actually present! What a nice place, with free admission!

If someone would've told me 20 years ago that I'd ever have an interest in history I'd have…read morescoffed, so certain was I that "History", as presented in grades 1 through 12 could ever be fascinating to anyone. But if you're lucky, life is long, you grow, you change, and things you once slept through are suddenly fascinating. Richmond Museum of History is suddenly fascinating. In a former Carnegie Library, circa 1910, the compact Richmond Museum is crammed full of fascinating finds. It helps that Richmond has an utterly compelling history: After the Gold Rush (1848-1850), the most dramatic migration to the Bay Area occurred in WWII, when high-paying shipyard jobs brought hundreds of thousands of people to the area. The most explosive growth happened in Richmond, home of the Kaiser shipyards. Within a three-year period beginning in 1940, Richmond's population quadrupled to a whopping 93,000+ residents. The Richmond Museum of History houses extensive photos and memorabilia about the town - and people - not just from this period but from the period preceding it as well. The sheer volume of interesting old photos they have is amazing and they only have room to display a fraction of their cache. The space is crowded and dusty and compelling. Combined with their changing exhibit (currently: Jews of Richmond), it took me upwards of two hours to make my way methodically through the place, then I spent a little longer before exiting. A make-shift gift shop near the entrance/exit has hand knit caps, mittens, and scarves priced so reasonably that you should make a trip here just to get yourself outfitted for the next storm. The Richmond Museum of History is a fascinating, under-the-radar, offbeat attraction that should be a must-see for anyone interested in that sort of thing and/or local history. They've been blessed with an exceptional amount of archival material and it deserves to be viewed. Tickets run $5 ($3 for seniors) but free tickets can be obtained in advance from your library's Discover & Go site. Ample street parking can be had out front. Go. It's really interesting.