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.

Tomorrow, Dec 7th 10 - 4 PM! We’ll have gifts aplenty handmade by NIAD artists for the 63rd Annual Holiday Arts Festival...
12/06/2025

Tomorrow, Dec 7th 10 - 4 PM!

We’ll have gifts aplenty handmade by NIAD artists for the 63rd Annual Holiday Arts Festival and Jean McElvane will be in attendance herself making her whimsical creatures and miniature forms. Don’t miss this opportunity support artists right here in your local community. ID in comments

We’re grateful to everyone who supported NIAD on Giving Tuesday. Thanks to so many of you, we raised an incredible $40,0...
12/05/2025

We’re grateful to everyone who supported NIAD on Giving Tuesday.

Thanks to so many of you, we raised an incredible $40,000 toward our End of Year fundraising goal of $50,000. Your gifts ensure that artists working in NIAD’s studio remain well-resourced and have access to opportunities for growth and recognition.

PS. If you missed , don’t worry. There’s still time to give! Each gift this year-end, no matter what size, promises an even brighter year ahead at NIAD. In partnership with incredible community members like you, NIAD artists are leading the way toward more innovation and creativity in 2026. Help us reach our goal of $50,000 before December 31st. ➡️ niadartcenter.org/pages/donate-now

Image: Rebecca Jantzen, Untitled (D1590), 2023. Marker on linocut print.

A linocut print of a girl wearing a dress in black ink, with a speach bubble that says "If you R happy and u know it clap your hands (with drawing of a hand), shout hurray (with drawing of a mouth) and stomp your feet (with a drawing of a foot). Now do all 3 together" in black pen ink.

Last artist highlight of the day is the inimitable Luis Estrada. Luis Estrada (b. 1982) has been creating work at NIAD ...
12/04/2025

Last artist highlight of the day is the inimitable Luis Estrada.

Luis Estrada (b. 1982) has been creating work at NIAD Art Center in Richmond, CA since 2004. Estrada refers to himself as “The Weatherman,” and for years he has meticulously recorded environmental changes, catastrophic weather events, and the natural phenomena impacting our daily lives. As Estrada describes, “far away in Mexico and Texas, there’s tornados. There’s earthquakes 365 days a year, and New York City is frozen. Everything happens, the weather changes real fast. The weather changes backwards.”

His practice ranges from notational paintings and drawings to figurative ceramics and embroidered textiles. In addition to the weather, Estrada’s work also explores themes relating to personal history, celebrity WWE drama, and the passage of time. His work has been collected and exhibited nationally, and was most recently featured in exhibitions at the Oakland Museum of California and Wave Pool Gallery.

Next on deck at Open Invitational, Arstanda Billy White! Arstanda Billy White (b.1962) has practiced at NIAD since 1994....
12/04/2025

Next on deck at Open Invitational, Arstanda Billy White!

Arstanda Billy White (b.1962) has practiced at NIAD since 1994. He primarily focuses on portraiture. White depicts figures from his personal life and pop culture in painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking. He has cited Vincent van Gogh as a major influence on his gestural painting style and bold color palette. White explains this act of homage and translation: “I’m the guy who is going to draw a picture of Van Gogh. In the painting he’s yellow because that’s how Van Gogh wanted it, but I put him in black. I’m going to draw the whole thing, and then I’m gonna draw my dad, the Golden Glove Champion.”

As a deeply social artist and a natural storyteller, White’s works function as intimate conversations among his subjects and with his community. Beloved figures from Black popular culture, hip-hop icons, art world celebrities, and local Richmond legends share equal standing in his pantheon.

Arstanda Billy White joined NIAD Art Center in 1994. He is represented by .nyc and has mounted solo exhibitions at both their New York and former Los Angeles locations. Other recent solo shows include those at Adams and Ollman, Portland, OR; Mule Gallery, San Francisco, CA; and South Willard, Los Angeles, CA. He has participated in group shows at the Oakland Museum of California, Chico Art Center, Sonoma State University; Land Gallery, Brooklyn; Public Annex, Portland, OR; and Pilar Corrias Gallery, London UK. White’s work has been reviewed in The New York Times, The Editorial Magazine, and Hyperallergic. His paintings are in the permanent collection of SFMOMA.

For day 3 of Open Invitational we’re spotlighting 3 of our artists on view at the fair. First up, Karen May. Karen May (...
12/04/2025

For day 3 of Open Invitational we’re spotlighting 3 of our artists on view at the fair. First up, Karen May.

Karen May (b. 1950) has practiced at NIAD since 2011 and is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans collage, ceramics, painting, poetry, and fiber art. She refers to her art as a “memory tool,” and is deeply attuned to the lyrical potential in conversations with her own inner voice, “Kitty,” who variously takes the form of a cat or of Karen’s younger self.

In addition to themes of personal history, May also frequently works on found ephemera from art publications, co-opting the imagery with her own line-work and text. In 2023, seven of these mixed-media detournements were acquired by SFMOMA. Her work is in prominent private collections across the US.

May has worked at NIAD Art Center in Richmond, CA since 2011. Her work has been published and exhibited widely in the Bay Area, notably at the Oakland Museum of California, Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco, Kala Art Institute Gallery in Berkeley, and Personal Space Gallery in Vallejo, CA. A two-part solo exhibition entitled Karen May: ArtForum Interventions (2024) was presented by the Arts Center at Duck Creek in East Hampton, NY.

There’s still time to make an impact on Giving Tuesday! Make a gift of before midnight and it will be doubled! Your gift...
12/02/2025

There’s still time to make an impact on Giving Tuesday! Make a gift of before midnight and it will be doubled!

Your gift supports NIAD artists as they make their mark on the art world beyond the frame, through exhibitions, public workshops, art fairs, and so much more.

Join us and our dedicated community this Giving Tuesday in committing to art and accessibility—now and in the years to come.

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

TODAY ONLY: A generous group of donors will match your gift up to $1,000. Your $50 becomes $100. Your $250 becomes $500.



Image ID: Studio Facilitator Steen Kjorlie and artist Jarelle Peters in the NIAD studio.

12/02/2025

It's Giving Tuesday! Will you support NIAD artists today?

NIAD artists move beyond conventions and expectations, expanding what art can be and who can thrive in the art world. This happens on the canvas, loom, and printing press. In the kiln and on gallery walls.

But NIAD artists' innovation extends beyond the frame—creating opportunities for accessibility and disability justice in the art world and beyond.

This year, community support is more critical than ever. As public funding narrows, organizations like NIAD need donors like you to close the gap.

TODAY ONLY: A generous group of donors will match your gift up to $1,000. Your $50 becomes $100. Your $250 becomes $500.

Will you make your Giving Tuesday gift today? Your support ensures that NIAD artists can continue to thrive—creating, teaching, and leading for decades to come.

Donate now: www.niadart.org/donate



Photo ID: A rotating GIF of three photos. In the first, artist Brandon Harris paints a canvas; in the second, artist Arstanda Billy White tips his hat with his guitar in hand during a performance at Win Win; in the third, Jarelle Peters, Jason Powell-Smith, and Nekiesha White sit together in the NIAD Annex Gallery.

Last day for 20% off your online purchase. Get a jump on your holiday shopping and give the gift of NIAD art!
11/30/2025

Last day for 20% off your online purchase. Get a jump on your holiday shopping and give the gift of NIAD art!

We’re heading to Miami!NIAD is thrilled to be part of this year’s Open Invitational, an art fair centering discovery, eq...
11/29/2025

We’re heading to Miami!

NIAD is thrilled to be part of this year’s Open Invitational, an art fair centering discovery, equity, and big ideas in contemporary art.

This marks a powerful moment for NIAD: we’re bringing 100+ works by NIAD artists to Miami, expanding visibility and opportunity for artists with disabilities on a national stage. The fair’s bold, experimental approach aligns beautifully with NIAD’s commitment to pushing beyond conventions and amplifying underrepresented voices in the art world.

If you’ll be in Miami this December, come visit us in the Design District at 3930 NE 2nd Ave, to experience the innovation and joy of NIAD artists up close. Learn more about the fair at Open Invitational → openinvitational.com

Featured art: Luis Estrada, Untitled (Passion for Sports), 2017, Marker on paper; Arstanda Billy White, Untitled, 2016, Acrylic on paper; Heather Copus, Jaws, 2025 (Edition of 8), Linocut print on paper, closed edition; Karen May, Sunset over Miami, 2025, Watercolor on paper

Wishing you a warm and restful weekend! NIAD is closed Nov 28-30, but check our stories for a special surprise 👀 🖼️ 🛍️
11/28/2025

Wishing you a warm and restful weekend!

NIAD is closed Nov 28-30, but check our stories for a special surprise 👀 🖼️ 🛍️

Giving Tuesday is one week away — and this is what access looks like - beyond the frame.NIAD is stepping onto a national...
11/25/2025

Giving Tuesday is one week away — and this is what access looks like - beyond the frame.

NIAD is stepping onto a national stage for the first time, heading to the Miami Invitational, a major art fair. We’re proud to share that the work of longtime NIAD artist Karen May will be featured — including a piece she happened to make that’s perfect for the fair, Sunset Over Miami.

Karen’s multidisciplinary practice spans collage, ceramics, drawing, painting, poetry, and fiber art, often rooted in memory, family, and personal history. Her mixed-media pieces have been published and exhibited widely — and in 2023, several were acquired by SFMOMA.

Bringing NIAD artists’ work to national audiences expands visibility, access, and opportunity for artists with disabilities — taking their creativity far beyond the frame.

Your Giving Tuesday gift helps make this possible.

Donate today to support artists redefining what art and access can be: https://niadart.org/pages/donate-now

Thank you for your support!

Photo features Karen with a NIAD volunteer.

This holiday season, help NIAD go Beyond the Frame — expanding what art and access can be. When you give to NIAD, you’re...
11/20/2025

This holiday season, help NIAD go Beyond the Frame — expanding what art and access can be. When you give to NIAD, you’re supporting more than creativity. You’re investing in rights, equity, visibility, and a joyful community where artists with disabilities thrive.

Your gift today ensures NIAD remains a creative home that uplifts artists, challenges conventions, and opens the art world to everyone.

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

Thank you for your support.

Image: NIAD artists and staff members in the 23rd Street courtyard celebrating Studio Facilitator Andrés Cisneros-Galindo's birthday.

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when NIAD Art Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to NIAD Art Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

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.