NIAD Art Center

NIAD Art Center Redefining contemporary art.

Each NIAD artwork is an original piece of contemporary art that tells an individual story from the perspective of an artist with disabilities. Frequently remarkable, surprising, and engaging, NIAD artwork has become a highlight of the Richmond art scene and has received recognition from the national art community.

This Black History Month, Halisi Noel-Johnson () honors three icons with portraits that keep their legacies alive.“My mi...
02/10/2026

This Black History Month, Halisi Noel-Johnson () honors three icons with portraits that keep their legacies alive.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou

Swipe to see portraits of Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, and Angela Davis by NIAD artist Halisi Noel-Johnson.

Image Descriptions:

1. Halisi Noel-Johnson raises her fist while addressing a crowd, wearing a tie-dyed jacket with “Black Lives Matter” visible on her sleeve.

2. Halisi Noel-Johnson, Maya Angelou, 2024 (D2189) – A two-color woodblock print depicting Maya Angelou in profile, rendered in dark purple-black ink against a lavender background. The figure’s hand is near her chest in a contemplative gesture. The print style is bold and graphic, with visible texture from the printmaking process.

3. Halisi Noel-Johnson, Malcolm X, 2024 (D2307) – A print of the head and shoulders of a smiling man wearing glasses, pictured on a large X, printed in black and greenish yellow ink.

4. Halisi Noel-Johnson, Angela Davis, n.d. (D0826) – The image is a linocut print depicting a stylized portrait of Angela Davis on paper. The main colors are deep purple and beige, creating a bold contrast. The background is a light beige, while the portrait has a purple hue with detailed carvings showing texture and definition.

Make a special statement with a hand-cut valentine! Join us Saturday, February 14, from 1–4 pm for a special workshop. F...
02/06/2026

Make a special statement with a hand-cut valentine! Join us Saturday, February 14, from 1–4 pm for a special workshop. Facilitator Kate Laster will guide attendees to make a special statement with a hand-cut valentine, alongside Donzell Lewis, who will also guide participants to create a paper-mache heart garland.

https://niadart.org/blogs/events/valentines-day-reception-for-transforming-space-this-must-be-the-place

Honoring the punk legacy of quick and fast graffiti stencils, as well as the traditions of papel picado and Chinese papercut that are prolific in the Bay Area, participants will be making subtractive artworks by drawing with blades. Make beautiful hand cut valentines that refocus love letters as not only to people, but also to movements and collective solidarity. We will be using collage techniques as well as celebrating the many different kinds of love, this Valentine's Day. This workshop is free and welcome to all experience and skill levels.

Valentine's Day Artist Workshop
Saturday, February 14 from 1–4 pm
NIAD Art Center, Richmond, CA

Image Descriptions:
1. Kate Laster holds up an intricately hand-cut paper artwork backlit by golden hour sunset. The cut-paper piece features flowing organic forms, text, and landscape elements silhouetted against the sky.

2. Hand-cut valentine in deep red paper with intricate floral and vine border framing white text that reads 'Collective Movement, Collective Action, Collective Care.' The decorative border includes stylized flowers, leaves, and curling tendrils.

NIAD is thrilled to present works by Sylvia Fragoso, Willie Harris, Karen May, and Donald Walker at Felix Art Fair 2026....
02/05/2026

NIAD is thrilled to present works by Sylvia Fragoso, Willie Harris, Karen May, and Donald Walker at Felix Art Fair 2026. Visit our presentation at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (Tower Room 1111) between February 25 – March 1, 2026.

Visit our website for further information: https://niadart.org/blogs/events/art-fair-felix-2026

Felix Art Fair 2026
February 25 – March 1, 2026
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles
Tower Room 1111

Image Descriptions:
1. Donald Walker, Untitled, n.d. (D9016)—Abstract painting with a side profile of a face framed by a yellow TV with two dials on a red background, featuring scattered black text.
2. Silvia Fragoso, Untitled, 2016 (S0403)—A tiered ceramic sculpture glazed in light blue, resembling a conical tower stacked with standing figures.
3. Karen May, Untitled [Titian Artforum], 2025 (D7134)—Artforum magazine cover featuring clouds and a classical painting with yellow and peach abstract paint overlaid.
4. Willie Harris, Untitled, 20210 (P1618)—Heavily textured abstract painting with two panels, featuring brown, pink, turquoise, and yellow colors.

Celebrate love and creativity this Valentine's Day at NIAD Art Center — Join us Saturday, February 14, from 1–4 pm for a...
02/04/2026

Celebrate love and creativity this Valentine's Day at NIAD Art Center — Join us Saturday, February 14, from 1–4 pm for a special artist-led workshop in conjunction with our current exhibitions, "Transforming Space" and "This must be the place." NIAD artist, Donzell Lewis, will guide participants to create a vibrant papier-mache heart garland . This free workshop welcomes all skill levels and ages. No registration required—just bring your open heart and join us in a community celebration of art and connection.

https://niadart.org/blogs/events/valentines-day-reception-for-transforming-space-this-must-be-the-place

Valentine's Day Artist Workshop
Saturday, February 14 from 1–4 pm
NIAD Art Center, Richmond, CA

Image Descriptions
1. Donzell Lewis is seated at NIAD's studio, engaged in knitting or sewing. Donzell is wearing a bright red long-sleeve shirt and a black apron. Their hands are positioned in front of them, manipulating a needle and yarn.

2. The image features a string of colorful, handmade paper mache hearts arranged in a garland on a white background. The hearts are colored in vibrant hues of red, blue, pink, yellow, purple, and turquoise. The surfaces of the forms are textured, showing a glossy finish.

Congratulations to Max Wheaton, who was selected alongside Ashlie Kego () and Paradise The Poet () for the 2025 Art of t...
02/04/2026

Congratulations to Max Wheaton, who was selected alongside Ashlie Kego () and Paradise The Poet () for the 2025 Art of the African Diaspora Artistic Achievement Award! This year’s Art of the African Diaspora () exhibition at the Richmond Art Center () features 17 NIAD Artists as well as a selection of Max Wheaton’s works. He describes his perspective, “I look at everything: anime, history, geek news, sports, politics – anything you can think of. I want to make something like what I’m seeing, but in my own way. I know I can add elements of punk and dark fantasy to make it my own.”

Art of the African Diaspora
On view through March 14, 2026
Richmond Art Center, Richmond,CA

Image Description:
Max Wheaton stands in front of a white gallery wall displaying a curated selection of his colorful artworks at the Art of the African Diaspora exhibit. Max wears glasses, a maroon hoodie, and a dark patterned jacket over black pants. The wall features approximately ten pieces including abstract paintings and drawings of various sizes in vibrant colors.

As Amanda Eicher departs NIAD, we're grateful for everything she has contributed over seven incredible years as Executiv...
01/13/2026

As Amanda Eicher departs NIAD, we're grateful for everything she has contributed over seven incredible years as Executive Director.

Under her leadership, we've expanded our studio to 80 artists, doubled our staff and achieved numerous milestones, all while keeping artists' voices and goals at the center of everything we do.

As we search for a permanent Executive Director this spring, we're excited to announce Lucy Zimmerman as Interim Executive Director, who has been serving as NIAD's Exhibitions and Partnerships Director.

Thank you, Amanda, for your vision, dedication, and profound impact on our artists and community. Ability Now Bay Area is lucky to have you, and we wish you the best of luck! 💙

Photos 2 and 4 by Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh

Image Descriptions:
1. Amanda Eicher sits smiling in a chair with red cushions, wearing green sunglasses on her head, silver hoop earrings, a black ribbed sweater with a white collar, and cream pants. Behind her is a mural featuring a painted gray figure against a soft blue background.
2. A smiling group of 24 NIAD artists and staff stand with Amanda Eicher in NIAD's studio, filled with artwork on the yellow walls.
3. Amanda Eicher, wearing a black ribbed sweater and cream-colored pants, stands on the left, her hair pulled back, smiling. Lucy Zimmerman, wearing glasses and a blue floral-patterned sweater with a white collar, stands on the right, also smiling. They are photographed in front of Rami's Fountain, a colorful mixed-media sculpture in the NIAD courtyard.
4. In a warm moment inside NIAD's studio, Amanda Eicher, wearing a tan blazer, holds flowers while embracing NIAD artist, Maria Radilla, in a yellow shirt and polka dot headband. Several community members are seated around them observing the intimate moment between the two.
5. A group of 23 NIAD staff members joyfully pose together in the studio, with many making peace signs and playful expressions toward the camera. The group is arranged in multiple rows against a yellow wall behind art storage shelves and a colorful woven textile banner.

NIAD Art Center is pleased to announce its first exhibition of the new year, "Transforming Space." Join us January 12 th...
01/06/2026

NIAD Art Center is pleased to announce its first exhibition of the new year, "Transforming Space." Join us January 12 through March 28 for an exploration of space.

🗓️ Plan your visit: https://tr.ee/transforming-space

This exhibition, featuring 16 NIAD artists, tells the story of artists challenging representations of place—maps turn into emotional landscapes, familiar spaces become dreamlike scenes filled with color, landscapes evolve into a collection of thoughts, and the laws of gravity are defied as heavy objects are effortlessly lifted into the air.

Image Descriptions:
1. Jonathan Velazquez, Untitled, 2015 – A black and white aerial photographic view of a city. Red and orange lines highlight different roads, buildings, and a river that runs horizontally across the top of the image.

2. Guadalupe Soto, Yosemite, 2025 – A black and white photograph by Ansel Adams of a forest scene in Yosemite National Park, California. The central focus is a tall tree trunk dividing the image vertically. On either side of the trunk are dense clusters of trees with abundant foliage. The photograph has been drawn on by the artist, and is edged with red acrylic marker lines that outline parts of the trees and the trunk, creating an abstract overlay.

3. Jason Powell-Smith, Jason Holds up the 72, 2022 – A mixed-media print in blue and white tones featuring a Jason Powell-Smith holding a green city bus over his head. Two large circles are drawn in yellow and red in the center of the print.

4. Jesus Salas, Interior Of The Bus, 2014 – A black and white drawing featuring abstract shapes and lines—some thin, some thick— that suggest a row of seats inside a bus.

5. James Heartsill, Untitled, 2024 – A sculptural arrangement of a cityscape painted in red against a white background. Rectangular blocks of varying heights are arranged on a flat square base, creating a cluster of skyscraper structures.

The Portal of Practice oracle deck by features artwork by 16 NIAD artists. This 52-card deck is an invitation to slow d...
01/06/2026

The Portal of Practice oracle deck by features artwork by 16 NIAD artists. This 52-card deck is an invitation to slow down and connect with yourself and your community. Each unique card includes meditations, reflective prompts, and somatic practices written by coaches at RCF Connects.

Both physical and virtual versions of the deck are now available through the Embodied Leadership Website – visit our link in bio to learn more and purchase ✨

We’re grateful to partner with on this beautiful collaboration—one of the many ways we work with community partners to share the work of NIAD artists.

Image descriptions in comments.

As 2025 draws to a close, we're filled with gratitude for what an extraordinary year it has been for NIAD and our artist...
12/31/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we're filled with gratitude for what an extraordinary year it has been for NIAD and our artists. From NIAD’s presence at art fairs in Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, to artist solo shows in MoMA and NIAD’s Annex Gallery, the creativity and innovation fostered in NIAD’s studio has leapt far beyond the frame in 2025.

As we look ahead to 2026, we know that community support is more important than ever. With federal funding for disability justice and the arts facing uncertainty, partners like you make all the difference.

Your gift today carries this momentum into the new year, ensuring the 80 artists creating at NIAD year-round can continue to thrive, lead, and create.

Donate today: https://niadart.org/pages/donate-now

Image: Sara Malpass, Untitled, 2017

Image Description:
A vibrant mixed-media artwork featuring handwritten text layered over horizontal bands of color. The composition is divided into roughly five horizontal sections: a textured red area at the top, a sliver of orange, a gray middle band, a bright pink section, and pale yellow and purple bands at the bottom with hints of turquoise at the base. Cursive and printed words and phrases in teal and black ink are scattered throughout the painting including "which," "almost has," "long skin," "body," "came across," "neck words," "detail," "only," "turned cross," "mind," "kind," "signaling," and "wrong."

The way I think about it, she gave me my art." - Dorian Reid, artist at NIAD since 2003. We send our condolences to Bett...
12/23/2025

The way I think about it, she gave me my art." - Dorian Reid, artist at NIAD since 2003.

We send our condolences to Betty Reid Soskin's family, and to the many people in Richmond and beyond who are mourning her passing and celebrating her life.

A trailblazer in every way, Ms. Reid's legacy includes civil rights activism; one of the longest-running Black businesses in the East Bay (Reid's Records) and a life of creativity in art and music; a career inspiring others as our nation's oldest National Park Ranger; a working history as a riveter in Richmond during WWII; and a lifelong dedication to giving back to her communities, including NIAD, where Ms. Reid's daughter, Dorian, has made art for over two decades. We are grateful to share a community in Richmond with Ms. Reid's family and her extraordinary legacy.

Upon Ms. Reid's passing, NIAD joins her family in encouraging donations to honor her memory to two causes: the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School and/or the completion of her film, "Sign My Name to Freedom.” https://signmynametofreedom.allyrafundraising.com

For those wishing to donate in Mrs. Soskin’s memory to the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School, checks can be made out to West Contra Costa Unified School District and sent to Betty Reid Soskin Middle School c/o Principal Jason Lau, 1121 Allview Ave, El Sobrante, CA 94803.

May her memory inspire us all to innovate and create history!

Image Descriptions:
1) Two women with light brown skin hold a large decorative pillow featuring a stylized cat face with leopard print pattern at NIAD Art Center. Dorian Reid (left) has short black hair and wears a teal striped sweater and glasses, smiling broadly. Betty Reid Soskin (right) has gray hair, pulled back, and wears glasses and a gray turtleneck. The pillow between them displays a leopard-spotted cat design with yellow circular eyes, a brown rectangular nose, and a red smile with a purple tongue.

2) "Portrait of Betty Reid Soskin as a Cat," 2022 – A ceramic sculpture by Dorian Reid depicting a stylized cat figure sitting upright. The piece features a textured, earth-toned surface with cream and tan coloring. The cat has round ears, large eyes, and large white whiskers. The body shows hand-sculpted fur texture created through linear marks in the clay. "Portrait of Betty Reid Soskin as a Cat" is now part of the permanent collection at the Oakland Museum of California.

3) Three people pose together at NIAD Art Center for Betty Reid Soskin's 90th birthday celebration. From left to right: Betty Reid Soskin wears a National Park Service ranger uniform with a wide-brimmed hat and holds a plate with a small birthday cake displaying "90" in gold numerals. Dorian Reid stands in the center wearing a teal sweater decorated with floral embroidery. NIAD alumni artist Bubba Trieber sits on the right in a blue fleece jacket, glasses, and a navy bucket hat.

Help NIAD artists continue to lead – over the last several weeks, we’ve shared how NIAD artists are paving the way for a...
12/17/2025

Help NIAD artists continue to lead – over the last several weeks, we’ve shared how NIAD artists are paving the way for access in the art world and beyond. Now more than ever, their leadership is a source of momentum for accessibility and disability justice.

Donate today through the link in our bio.

When you give to NIAD you are funding:

🎨 Studio space where artists develop their creative practices

🖌️ Art materials and professional resources

🖼 Exhibition opportunities broadening visibility and bringing the work of artists with disabilities to new and ever-expanding audiences

🤝 Relationship-building inside NIAD’s studios and in our expanded communities

Your gift today ensures this vital work continues!

Photo: RJ Mickelson

Image Description: A photograph framed by a tilted teal border shows NIAD artist, Donzell Lewis and NIAD volunteer, Cazz Altomare, engaged in making art at NIAD’s studio space. In the foreground on the right, Donzell Lewis wearing a dark gray coat holds an iPad looking warmly at the camera. To the left, Cazz Altomare in a black sweatshirt observes the work. The background shows an active art studio with vibrant artwork visible on the walls, other people working at the tables surrounded by art supplies.

Don’t miss your chance to gift some of your favorite pieces from NIAD artists. Place your online order by tomorrow, Dece...
12/16/2025

Don’t miss your chance to gift some of your favorite pieces from NIAD artists. Place your online order by tomorrow, December 17th for standard shipping to arrive by the 25th.

🐈‍⬛ Show your support for the Black Cat Revolution by wearing the recently-released enamel pins by Dorian Reid.

☝️ Are you on Team I Know or Team I Don’t Know? New editions of hats by Jason Powell-Smith are also now available online.

Visit our link in bio to explore thousands of original artworks and wearables from over 80 active and alumni NIAD artists!

First photo: RJ Mickelson.

Image descriptions:
1. Dorian Reid standing on stage at NIAD’s annual Win Win event. Facilitator Steen Kjorlie is holding her artwork with an American flag and “Black Cat Revolution” imagery in black on top of the flag.

2. Black enamel pin with a drawing of a black cat with handwritten text that says “Black Cat Revolution.”

3. Em Kettner, a NIAD facilitator wearing a white shirt with “Team I Don’t Know” written in blue text. Jason Powell-Smith wearing a cream cap with “Team I know” written in red text.

4. Black baseball cap with “Team I don’t know” embroidered in blue thread across the front panel.

Address

551 23rd Street
Richmond, CA
94804

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

(510) 620-0290

Website

http://linktr.ee/niadartcenter

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Our Story

Each NIAD artwork is an original piece of contemporary art that tells an individual story from the perspective of an artist with disabilities. Frequently remarkable, surprising, and engaging, NIAD artwork has become a highlight of the Richmond art scene and has received recognition from the national artistic community.