Art Galleries in Western Contra Costa County

If a friend invites you to a day of gallery-hopping, you might think you are headed across the Bay, to San Francisco, or even across the country, to New York.

But gallery-hopping can be a local trip in West Contra Costa County. Tucked into town centers, off the main freeways, are many places offering artwork in a wide variety of styles.

Opening September 17th at the City of San Pablo Art Gallery is an exhibit of printmakers' work entitled, "In A Different Light."

Art coordinator Anne Austin says that, while the gallery is located in San Pablo, it is not exclusively limited to San Pablo artists. "It's really open to Bay Area artists," she explains. "Once in awhile, we've even got a bit out of the Bay Area."

Currently, the gallery is winding up an exhibit of children's art made through the Parks and Recreation Department's youth activity program. After "In A Different Light," the gallery will host the renowned exhibit, "The Art of Living Black," beginning November 22, 2005.

The Richmond Art Center, which hosted "The Art of Living Black" earlier this year, is known for its discovery of talented local artists before they become famous. Currently, the Center is featuring an exhibit entitled, "Dress: Clothing As Art," featuring the works of Elizabeth Jameson, Meredith Talusan, Jenny Zhang, and other artists.

In addition to "Dress," the Center is also featuring "In/Organic," showcasing the work of sculptor Curtis H. Arima, as well as a special showcase of the work of Center members.

While it may not have a space to call its own, don't overlook the works of the El Cerrito Art Association. The group, which meets at the El Cerrito Community Center, is comprised of about 100 artists. Barbara Brendlinger, who helped found the group in 1976, is still a member. "Our show in the spring is about the only non-juried show," she explains. Works by members can be seen at the Community Center as well as the El Cerrito Library.

So the next time you're thinking of a day trip across the Bay to take in some culture, stick around. There's a lot more where these came from!

For more information:

*Richmond Art Center is located at 2540 Barrett Avenue in Richmond, and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Call the Center at 510-620-6772 for more information, or visit
www.therichmondartcenter.org.

*San Pablo Art Gallery is located in the City of San Pablo's Maple Hall, 13831 San Pablo Avenue. The Gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays, 12 noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 510-836-2663.

*El Cerrito Art Association - Although this association has no gallery of its own, you can see artwork by its members at both the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, and at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Avenue, during regular business hours. Meetings of the Association are held the second Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center.