Second Saturdays at RBA Creative

Happy Black History Month! We’re celebrating with a new guest artist, AOTAD satellite exhibition, and book launch with author Ajuan Mance!

We’re excited to be a satellite host for the Art of the African Diaspora (AOTAD) annual exhibit!

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’re also happy to host our new guest artist, Anna W. Edwards, from February 11th to March 25th. 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.

Lastly, our third highlight of this month’s Second Saturday celebration is the book launch of Living While Black, by Ajuan Mance.

Laughing. Grieving. Being a kid. Even the purest expression of pleasure, the most human display of sorrow, or the simplest delight of childhood is an act of resistance if you happen to be Black. This immersive hardcover book features forty defiantly joyful illustrations by artist and educator Ajuan Mance, each artwork depicting a person of African descent going about their everyday business.Begun as Mance’s personal response to the groundswell of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, LIVING WHILE BLACK denounces the excessive surveillance, harassment, and violence aimed at Black folks engaged in the activities of everyday life-and celebrates the courage and resilience of the Black community. Fittingly, the book also features a foreword from Alicia Garza, BLM founder and principal at the Black Futures Lab. Mance’s thoughtful meditation on what it’s like to be Black in America makes a wonderful tool for teachers, students, activists, and parents navigating conversations about racism and resistance.

Ajuan will read from her book and have a Q&A session at 3pm. Don’t miss your chance to chat with Ajuan and purchase a signed copy.