Art Passages is an exhibition program at the County Administration Building in Martinez, California. ARTSCCC (Arts Contra Costa County) will be curating quarterly exhibitions showcasing the County’s creative community.
Contra Costa County has five Supervisorial Districts. For the first Art Passages exhibition, ARTSCCC highlighted an arts organization from each District that has demonstrated an impressive and respected dedication to supporting the Arts in their communities.
Featured art organizations include NIAD Art Center (District 1), Lamorinda Arts Council (District 2), Village Community Resource Center (District 3), Las Juntas~East Bay Artist Guild (District 4), and Epperson Gallery (District 5). Participating organizations selected artists to highlight.
- NIAD Art Centeris anon-profit studio and gallery at the intersection of the arts community and the disability community. NIAD supports more than 75 artists with disabilities to express their identities through making art, connecting with community, and earning an income from the sale of their work. Participating artists include Janay Futch and Brandon Harris.
- LamorindaArts Council is a primarily volunteer-based non-profit organization. LAC curates two professional visual arts galleries, offers literary programs for all ages including seniors, and has partnerships with local high schools for youth programming in visual and performing arts. Participating artists include Denise Nomura, Linda Huffman, and Kimiko Kogure.
- Village Community Resource Center‘s After School academy in Brentwood is not your typical after-school program. Students are engaged with hands-on projects, mindfulness activities, and given educational opportunities conducive to a well-rounded life. Exhibition artwork created by youth.
- LasJuntas~East Bay Artist Guild offers educational programs, exhibit opportunities, field trips and a monthly newsletter to members, providing artists of all levels and mediums support and encouragement in their artistic expression. Participating artists include Aissa Markey, Joo Chase, and Barbara Pennington.
- Epperson Gallery offers a platform for emerging and established artists to display their work and engage with the local and national community through exhibitions and artist residencies. Participating artists include Randall Sexton, Toby Tover, and Chuck Potter.
ARTSCCC, Arts Contra Costa County, is a grassroots service and advocacy arts organization whose top priority is an equitable and sustainable arts organization. ARTSCCC writes grants, manages projects, promotes social media, and advocates policy to support the creative community. The nonprofit Independent Arts & Media is the fiscal sponsor for ARTSCCC.
ARTSCCC signature programs include a Poetry Series Program at John A. Davis Juvenile Hall, the Cultural Corridor Project connects artists throughout Contra Costa County, and the Danza de los Diablos de Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca (Dance of the Devils of Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca) indigenous dance project.
On February 6, 2024, the Board of Supervisors designated Arts Contra Costa County (ARTSCCC), a fiscally-sponsored project of Independent Arts & Media, to serve as the county’s official local arts agency. ARTSCCC is expanding their organization, staff, and network per the 5-year Contra Costa County contract to provide additional services.
ARTSCCC Executive Founding Director Jenny Balisle: “We are honored to highlight the following art organizations and artists. The conceptual focus of Art Passages is to uplift, acknowledge, and provide meaningful curations. Our goal is to showcase the world-class creative talent and artistic leaders of Contra Costa County.”
The Art Passages exhibition is on display from July 1- October 7, 2024, at the County Administration Building (1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553). The building is open Monday- Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. On August 14th from 2-4pm, there will be an exhibition reception.
To learn more visit www.artsccc.com
For upcoming events around Contra Costa County, visit our events calendar.
