Second Saturdays at RBA Creative

This Second Saturday is our closing reception for our guest artist, Anna W. Edwards, as well as our closing celebration as an AOTAD satellite host.

Art Of The African Diaspora is the longest-running event of its kind in the Bay Area. It originated from a salon for African American artists known as Colors of Black that was organized in 1989 by artist and professor Marie Johnson Calloway. In 1996 artists Jan Hart-Schuyers and Rae Louise Hayward established the exhibition The Art of Living Black at Richmond Art Center. Many of the artists from Colors of Black participated in the inaugural exhibition, which presented the work of emerging and established African American artists. The artists gained introductions to new audiences, and access to build a creative community of artists and art lovers. Our satellite show of AOTAD participating artists includes Latisha Baker, Anna W. Edwards, Renata Gray, Ajuan Mance, and Brianna Mills. We feature abstract, pyrography (woodburning), ceramics, photography, and figurative paintings.

Guest Artist, Anna W. Edwards Bio:

This is my 30th year of creating art in the Bay Area. On my artistic journey I have had the opportunity of crossing paths with many talented, amazing students, teachers, incredible artists, curators, and gallerists who have contributed to my growth. I am grateful for their support, critique, and encouragement.

Returning to my love of cities, I have always chosen the urban landscape as the inspiration for, and focus of, my art. I started traveling with my grandmother very early in my life, around New York City, Buffalo, Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia and other cities around the country and across the Atlantic. When I started painting there was a constant, consistent intention that seemed to emerge in my work. I realized that it was the sense of adventure I felt when encountering a city for the first time or the fortieth time. I still feel this adventure. I have attempted to express the harmony, beauty, and tranquility, as well as the energy, pathos, and tension present, to large or small degree in all cities. The paintings in this exhibit have been selected from many of my diverse exhibitions throughout the years. Anna’s abstract works incorporate color, textures, and a variety of mediums to create subtleties that can only be viewed up close and in person. This Saturday is her opening reception.

Come and enjoy conversation with the artists and light refreshments. See you soon.