By Kathy Chouteau
In an excellent example of art as the zeitgeist of our times, NIAD Art Center has announced its next exhibition, “Be Heard, Speak Up.” This latest exhibition, featuring the works of more than 40 NIAD artists, is already viewable online and will be also viewable Oct. 16 through Nov. 13 in the center’s front windows at 551 23rd Street in Richmond.
“You may notice that numerous works in the show seem to address this moment in time; that’s intentional. Remember: Be heard. Speak up,” stated NIAD.
The art exhibition is curated by Michelle Hamilt and Ed Rymsha of Fenwick & West, a law firm with offices in the Bay Area and beyond. The firm’s relationship with the center has spanned more than five years, during which time they have featured NIAD artists in group exhibitions in their offices nationwide.
“Although the pandemic has changed many things in our lives, this now-annual exhibition is not one of them,” stated NIAD, which will be taking the new online/front windows approach to their collaboration with the law firm this year.

“From a moody painting by Michael Nuñez to the letterpress text-based and inspirational prints of Shana Harper to the move monster portraits of Alan Perez and the oft-political and mimetic works of Danny Thach, this year’s version is another sweeping smorgasbord of drawings, paintings and crafts,” stated NIAD about the exhibition.
Curators Hamilt and Rymsha will appear at NIAD’s Thirsty Thursday, an online event Oct. 29 from 6-7 p.m. The curators—who will be joined by some of the artists—will share info on how they selected the show and their thoughts on the art. The event will be hosted by NIAD’s Director of Exhibitions Tim Buckwalter. Registration is required to receive the event link and passcode.
To check out Be Heard, Speak Up online, click here. For more info or to register for the show’s related Thirsty Thursday, click here.