Episode 19: Marc talks with Liam Golden of the NIAD Art Center

Oct 24, 2017

Located in the heart of Richmond, the NIAD Art Center employs a staff of artists with masters degrees in fine arts, working with over 60 artists with disabilities to create, display and sell all sorts of different kinds of modern and contemporary art. By creating a warm and welcoming sense of community, NIAD gives their artists a taste of true independence and confidence by showing them that art truly has no bounds. Today, I am joined by Liam Golden, the NIAD Studio Manager who for the past 4 plus years has lent his assistance to NIADs diverse collection of artists.

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2xNO3az

Website: http://niadart.org/

Getting started:

• Grew up in San Francisco
• Imaginative as a child, brother involved in art, family supportive
• Enjoyed the diversity in San Francisco

Art Museums

• Exposure to a lot of different kinds of art

Before getting into art

• Worked in a food truck, met mentor
• Encouraged to get involved with art

NIAD Art Center

• Founded in 1982 by the Katz Family to provide opportunities for adults with disabilities at a professional level
• Started as a research wing

Why Richmond

• Unique culture
• Lifting people up

Staff

• Started as a volunteer, became a substitute teacher, eventually full-time instructor
• Hard to find experience elsewhere

The Artist

• All over Contra Costa County
• Social workers help adults find NIAD
• Vary in experience

Contemporary Art

• Anything made now
• Art today does not require traditional structural education

Selling/ Displaying the art

• Gallery on sight
• Relationships w/ other galleries nationwide
• Gives artists exposure
• Half of sales done online- international sales

Why people with disabilities

• Katz felt it was something needed
• Create a strong sense of family
• Some artists are bringing in big money

Therapy

• Not in the traditional sense/ this is a professional studio
• Power is with the artists
• Therapeutic just like any other activity could be

Studio space

• All material provided
• Classes twice per week

Projects and Breakthrough moments

• Art styles
• Developing a style
• New input from artists every 4 months

Funding

• Non-profit
• Donations, artists pay to be there
• Fundraiser in March
• Exhibitions every 2nd Saturday- snacks and drinks provided
• The Witnesses- new exhibition opens on Nov. 3

Wrap/ Contact info