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.

💃 NIAD’s Biggest Celebration Is Back! 🕺🏽Glamour Moves, NIAD’s biennial fashion show, returns to celebrate the artists at...
07/30/2026

💃 NIAD’s Biggest Celebration Is Back! 🕺🏽

Glamour Moves, NIAD’s biennial fashion show, returns to celebrate the artists at the center of everything we do. Expect a runway that puts NIAD artists front and center—bold, original, and unlike anything else on the calendar. Tickets are on sale now. Seats are limited, so reserve yours early!

Visit the link in our bio for event and ticket info.

Glamour Moves
Saturday, September 12, 2026
2:30–6:30 PM
NIAD Art Center
551 23rd Street, Richmond, CA

Glamour Moves Artists:
Alice Sampson, Arstanda Billy White, Brandon Harris, Carlota Rodriguez, Christian Vassell, Deatra Colbert, Dorian Reid, Felicia Griffin, Halisi Noel-Johnson, Heather Copus, Hector Barajas, Jarelle Peters, Jason Powell-Smith, Jerry Taylor, Julie MacDonald, Julio Del Rio, Karen May, Maria Radilla, Max Wheaton, Nathan Lam, Raven Harper, Rebecca Jantzen, Samantha Kershnar, Saul Alegria, Shana Harper, Shantae Robinson, Yuka Kobayashi

Image Descriptions:
1. A light green poster for Glamour Moves with purple font, with cutout photos of NIAD artists posing in fashion show outfits. The text include information listed above.

2. A light green poster titled “Meet This Year’s Runway Artists” with eight cutouts of NIAD artists posing in fashion show outfits. The poster includes the 27 artists listed above in three columns in blue text.

07/29/2026

We are thrilled to announce that NIAD has received a Teiger Foundation Hosting Grant (Teiger Foundation) to support “Time is a Spiral,” an evolution of Finnegan Shannon (Finnegan Shannon) and Lauren Leving’s (Lauren Leving) exhibition “Don’t mind if I do,” which premiered at moCa Cleveland. The Richmond presentation is co-organized with NIAD artists and Lucy Zimmerman (Lucy Zimmerman).

At the center of “Time is a Spiral” is a circular conveyor belt that slowly carries artworks through the gallery. Visitors are invited to sit around it, get comfortable, and lift works from the belt to hold and examine up close—creating opportunities to engage through touch and other senses. Finnegan Shannon described the exhibition as “an access fantasy.”

The Teiger Hosting Grant will support NIAD artists as they research and interpret NIAD’s 45-year history alongside the intertwined histories of disability activism in the Bay Area. Drawing on this research and their lived experiences, artists will create new works for the exhibition.

“Time is a Spiral” opens March 13, 2027, in conjunction with the Bay Area’s inaugural Further Triennial Further Triennial.

Video Description: Nine-second video of a dark purple circle on a black background spinning clockwise. In the center, the white text reads “Time is a Spiral.” Curved text on the circle reads, “Lucy Zimmerman, NIAD Artists / NIAD Art Center. “ in red and “Lauren Leving, Finnegan Shannon / moCA Cleveland” in blue. A blue arrow and a red arrow on opposite sides on top of the circle point in the direction of the spinning.

NIAD Art Center is pleased to announce Amy Kisch as its new Executive Director.Kisch will lead one of the nation's pione...
07/28/2026

NIAD Art Center is pleased to announce Amy Kisch as its new Executive Director.

Kisch will lead one of the nation's pioneering progressive art studios, building on more than four decades of championing the creative practices and professional careers of nearly 80 artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

She brings a rare blend of experience to the role — over 30 years as an arts leader, strategist, curator, and nonprofit executive, grounded in an early career in clinical and community social work.

Click here to read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/NIAD-AmyKisch

Image description: Headshot of Amy Kisch, a woman with light brown hair pulled back in a bun with bangs, smiling, wearing a black jacket, standing against a plain light gray background.

Opening tonight at 6 PM! 📚If you’re at the San Francisco Art Book Fair (SAN FRANCISCO ART BOOK FAIR) this weekend, July ...
07/23/2026

Opening tonight at 6 PM! 📚

If you’re at the San Francisco Art Book Fair (SAN FRANCISCO ART BOOK FAIR) this weekend, July 23–26, head over to the 1150 25th Street building, and visit us at Booth D08 at Minnesota Street Project (Minnesota Street Project)!

We’re bringing original works created by a wide range of NIAD artists, and before the fair, we’d like to spotlight Karen May’s latest softcover book, Sock It To Me, 2026. This book layers colorful hand-stitched fabric with socks, beads, and yarn to map her world. The cover is the state of California, and one spread turns day into night: the sun on a daylight page, the moon on a darkened one. 🧦

San Francisco Art Book Fair 2026
Minnesota Street Project
Booth D08
1150 25th St, San Francisco, CA
Thursday, July 23–Sunday, July 26, 2026

Image and Video Descriptions:

1. Event poster for the San Francisco Art Book Fair 2026. Transcribed Text: Minnesota Street Project Foundation Presents, San Francisco Art Book Fair 2026, SFABF 26, July 23–26, Free and Open to the Public, sfartbookfair.com

2. Karen May, Sock It To Me, 2026—Artist Karen May holding up a colorful hand-stitched fabric work in NIAD’s studio.

3. A slideshow video showing the cover and pages of Karen May’s fabric book.

This week, Jason Powell-Smith is bringing his work to Friday Nights at OMCA . Join us this Friday, July 10th from 5–7:30...
07/08/2026

This week, Jason Powell-Smith is bringing his work to Friday Nights at OMCA . Join us this Friday, July 10th from 5–7:30 PM at Oakland Museum of California to celebrate Disability Pride Month at our community art-making activation.

Click here for event details: https://museumca.org/event/friday-nights-at-omca-with-mxka/

Create art alongside Jason and shop original NIAD artworks and special-edition pieces. The full evening includes live music, a DJ set, and a beginner-friendly cumbia lesson.

NIAD Art Center Community Activation
At the Garden at Oakland Museum of California
Friday, July 10 from 5–7:30 PM (Full event: 5–9 PM)
1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607

23 original artworks just landed in our online shop! Paintings, prints, sculptures, and more, each made here at NIAD's s...
07/03/2026

23 original artworks just landed in our online shop! Paintings, prints, sculptures, and more, each made here at NIAD's studio ☀️

Visit our online store and bring a little bit of NIAD's studio sunshine home for the summer: https://niadart.org/collections/july-2026-art-drop

Artwork and Image Descriptions:
1 of 5: Esmeralda Silva, Untitled, 2024—Colored pencil drawing bordered by rows of colorful ovals surrounding a central green panel with red, brown, and blue abstract shapes, stars, and a crescent moon.
2 of 5: Felicia Griffin, Untitled, 2024—A print with bright red, hot pink, and white, sharp shapes spread out and layered across the piece.
3 of 5: Samantha Kershnar, Prehistoric creatures, 2026—Pen and watercolor drawing of a dinosaur in profile, its body filled with patchwork blocks of pastel colors.
4 of 5: Samantha Kershnar, After Modigliani (Head of a young woman), 2026—A watercolor and pencil portrait showing a woman against a blue background.
5 of 5: Fabian Arias, Untitled, 2024—Colored pencil drawing of a blue dolphin leaping in an arc against a purple sky and teal water.

Next time you drive down 23rd Street in Richmond, don’t forget to look up! ☝️NIAD has installed ten new street banners w...
07/02/2026

Next time you drive down 23rd Street in Richmond, don’t forget to look up! ☝️NIAD has installed ten new street banners with the work of young artists outside our studio, bringing the creativity from inside the gallery out onto the street for the community to enjoy.

👉 Visit our website for the full story: https://bit.ly/4ayUChD

Supported by a multi-year grant from the City of Richmond's Department of Children and Youth, the artists featured in this project include members of NIAD's Young Artist Leaders (YAL) group as well as the broader youth community in Richmond.

To celebrate, we hosted an ice cream party for the young artists and their families, and walked 23rd Street when the banners were installed so everyone could see their work on public display.

Thank you to the Richmond Foundation for Children and Youth for making this project possible.

Image Descriptions:
1. A person in a hard hat and safety vest works from a bucket lift to attach a banner to a light pole against a blue sky. The banner reads: Richmond Youth Lead the Way, with a painted portrait by Lindsay Lopez.

2. Two banners hang from a light pole on 23rd Street outside NIAD's building. People walk along the sidewalk below, with one person pointing up toward the banners.

3. Two young artists sit at a table in the NIAD studio, painting alongside a staff artist. Colorful artwork and supplies fill the shelves and walls around them.

4. Six people stand smiling in front of a storefront window on 23rd Street, with a small dog on a leash in front of them.

5. A group sits together at a table inside an ice cream shop, eating cones and cups of ice cream and talking.

Tomorrow, our fiscal year closes. We are only $300 away from our fundraising goal—your support has brought us so close t...
06/29/2026

Tomorrow, our fiscal year closes. We are only $300 away from our fundraising goal—your support has brought us so close to going beyond what we imagined possible for NIAD this season. Help us end our fundraising campaign with a gift so we can kick off our next chapter in a powerful way.

Help us finish strong: https://niadart.org/pages/donate-now

Artwork: Dorian Reid, Paw-litics, 2025 (D8258)

Image Descriptions:
1. A rainbow-washed print by Dorian Reid with text "Power To Everyone" and "Paw-Litics" sits centered on a teal background covered in hand-drawn hearts. The text reads "We Are Creating Our Own Histories! Be part of what comes next. Give before midnight on Tuesday, June 30, and support the creative work of NIAD’s studio of 75+ artists."

2. Heather Copus in a NIAD apron pulls a length of orange thread upward while working on a colorful textile at NIAD.

3. Karen May in a striped sweater and blue latex gloves looks down at an open sketchbook at a worktable, surrounded by bright sculptural works and art supplies in the studio.

4. Christian Vassel drawing colorful shapes on a large white sheet of paper in the studio.

NIAD’s first Summer Solstice Sale EVER is this Saturday ☀️We’re pulling hundreds of original works by NIAD artists strai...
06/11/2026

NIAD’s first Summer Solstice Sale EVER is this Saturday ☀️

We’re pulling hundreds of original works by NIAD artists straight from the studio: rare pieces, hidden gems, and work that’s never been exhibited or sold online. Paintings, ceramics, jewelry, prints, clothing, home goods — priced at $5, $10, $25, and beyond.

One-day prices you won’t see again all year. Come early for the best selection!

Summer Solstice Sale
Saturday, June 13 from 1–4 PM
NIAD Art Center
551 23rd St, Richmond
Free to attend + open to the public

Image Descriptions:
Photos 1-3 by RJ Mickelson (RJ Mickelson)
1. A smiling visitor points at a wall covered in small, colorful paintings at NIAD’s Win Win 13 event.
2. A shopper holds up a hand-printed t-shirt above a table piled with colorful shirts.
3. Five people browse tables stacked with hand-printed t-shirts inside the NIAD studio.
4. A volunteer pouring a drink while a smiling person is waiting at a drink table in NIAD’s courtyard.

We’re hoping to make this Solstice Sale extra special, and we need your help to make it happen! 🌞Sign up to volunteer on...
06/02/2026

We’re hoping to make this Solstice Sale extra special, and we need your help to make it happen! 🌞

Sign up to volunteer on June 13th, or another one of our future events. Your help setting up the gallery and studio, serving refreshments, and supporting our sales staff makes a huge difference in hosting a fun and functional event.

Visit the link in our bio to volunteer or to learn more about our Solstice Sale!

Summer Solstice Sale
NIAD Art Center
551 23rd St, Richmond, CA
Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 1–4 PM
Open to the public

Image Description:
A graphic on a dark green background with five teal squares showing NIAD artworks: a painted yellow sun, a green graphic t-shirt, a yellow and red ceramic ladybug, a tote bag with a screenprinted duck on it, and a shiny, green hummingbird sculpture. The text reads: “Volunteers Needed! Solstice Sale, NIAD Art Center – Richmond, CA, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Support NIAD during our biggest sale of the year.”

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

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