Art Exhibit

The Experience, Alameda: Frank Bette Center for the Arts New Exhibit

The Experience:

Illusions, Peach Pie & Parallels!

Join our friends at Frank Bette Gallery on Saturday, June 13 from 3-5pmto celebrate two new exhibitions opening in June.

  1. ILLUSIONS

Illusions: Distortions or misrepresentations of reality by the senses. Changes in perspective, color, contrast, shapes and placement of images within each other all create illusions. Nothing is as it seems. Opposites: realism, abstraction. 2-dimensional.

  • Exhibit Dates: June 5 – August 1, 2026
  • Receptions: Saturday, June 13 & Saturday, July 11, 2026, 3–5 pm​
  1. PEACH PIE AND PARALLELS – CAROL SQUICCI
  • June 5 – June 27, 2026
  • Reception: Saturday, June 13, 3–5 pm

From the Artist:

“When I paint, I explore the intricacy inherent in the mundane,
investigating complex shapes, surfaces, reflections and
shadows, and the relationship between the subject’s colors and
that of its overall composition.

I might find a leftover piece of lemon pie in my refrigerator calling
out to be elevated into a work of art. Sometimes I will attach a
transitional fork, all the better to enjoin the pie. I highlight these
pieces to make the everyday a special treat.”

About Frank Bette Center for the Arts

Established in 2002, the Frank Bette Center for the Arts is a nonprofit, volunteer-run creative community. Carrying forward the legacy of Frank Bette, who believed deeply in the power of art and community. Upon his passing in 1999, Frank bequeathed his beloved home as “a place for meetings, readings, showings, and other creative doings.”

Frank Bette Center for the Arts is committed to three objectives: Support Personal Artistic Growth, Enrich the Art Experience of Everyone in Our Community, and Cultivate Appreciation for the Value of the Arts. Check out their full list of classes.

Where:

1601 Paru St.
Alameda

https://www.frankbettecenter.org/

The Experience, Alameda: Frank Bette Center for the Arts New Classes

The Experience:

Paint your way into spring!

Katie Connell will show you the way.  She is teaching ‘Acrylic Painting Techniques’ in 6 Sessions – Sundays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 10am – 12noon.

The medium is Acrylic and beginners are welcome as well as those who want to hone their skills. You’ll learn brush techniques and color theory in this fun and forgiving medium. Classes will focus on still life and landscapes while you find and refine your style and classes will culminate in a completed composition of your choosing.

Learn more and register here.

About the Instructor

Katie Connell has been leading fun, creative art classes for over ten years, and painting for even longer. She has been trained through formal art classes, and decades of practice. She primarily paints scenes from her home state of California and enjoys creating anything nostalgic or whimsical. She strongly believes anyone can and should paint!

About Frank Bette Center for the Arts

Frank Bette Center for the Arts is committed to three objectives: Support Personal Artistic Growth, Enrich the Art Experience of Everyone in Our Community, and  Cultivate Appreciation for the Value of the Arts. Check out their full list of classes.

Where:

1601 Paru St.
Alameda

https://www.frankbettecenter.org/

The Experience, Alameda: Frank Bette Center for the Arts Classes

The Experience:

Begin your journey as an artist!

Introduction to Oil Painting with Veronica Aguilar

Here’s your plan to develop your oil painting skills and learn how to create a dynamic composition. Six sessions on Thursdays from 6-8pm: Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Sept. 4, 11

Start oil painting as a new experience or experience this class as a refresher course. Get ready to discover your personal expression and have fun! You will develop confidence in brush handling and proper care. You’ll learn how values (lights and darks) play an important role in your painting and understand color theory and the principles of design. Learn color mixing skills to create interesting variations, play with color, experiment with techniques and learn more about yourself.

Notes:  Suitable for beginning to intermediate skill levels; 18+ years;   Download materials list here.

About the Instructor:  Veronica is an Oakland native and has her BFA in Fine Art Painting from Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Currently pursuing her MFA , she enjoys painting urban landscapes from all of her world travels. Currently she is producing a series of figure paintings featuring Mexican Ballet Folklorico dancers.  @Lovesmangos_art.

About Frank Bette Center for the Arts

Frank Bette Center for the Arts is committed to three objectives: Support Personal Artistic Growth, Enrich the Art Experience of Everyone in Our Community, and  Cultivate Appreciation for the Value of the Arts.

Where:

1601 Paru St.
Alameda

https://www.frankbettecenter.org/

The Experience, Alameda: Alameda Museum

The Experience:

Return to yesterday at Meyers House & Gardens!

Have you ever been to the charming and period furnished Meyers House? It was erected in 1897, an example of the Colonial Revival style, and it’s Alameda’s only historic home open for tours. Come visit on Saturday, May 25 for tours beginning at 1pm. Last admission to begin touring is 3pm.

So, what can $5 buy these days? Your $5 admission fee includes a tour of the house, an architectural exhibit, a look at the studio where architects Henry Meyers and his daughter, Mildred, worked and you can a also have a fun step into the past.

You can stroll through the gardens, often helped out by volunteers and visit the carriage house gallery dedicated to the works of early Alameda artist Edwin Siegfried, (1889-1955), noted for his paintings of the salt marshes that once lined Alameda.

Meyers House opens May 25th at 1pm and is located at 2021 Alameda Avenue. Docents are on hand to point out items of particular interest and answer questions.

About the Meyers House & Gardens

The House is a City of Alameda Landmark, designated Historical Monument Number 26, and managed by the Alameda Museum. Located on a tree-lined residential street in the bayside town of Alameda, the grounds of the Meyers House offer a beautiful and unique period venue to visit. The Meyers House is open each month on the fourth Saturday from 1-4pm

The three Meyers sisters originally bequeathed the house and grounds to the City of Alameda for use as a house museum and a passive park. On May 1, 2013, the City of Alameda transferred operations and ownership to Alameda Museum.

Where:

Meyers House Hiuse & Gardens – 2021 Alameda Ave. 510-521-1247

The Experience, Alameda: Frank Bette Center for the Arts Plein Air Paintout

The Experience:

Grab your paints and hit the Alameda shore!

Hurry! Plein Air Paintout entry deadline: Monday, April 8, 2024!

Join the Frank Bette 19th Annual Plein Air Paintout as it hosts 40 juried artists for a week of painting tree-lined streets; stately Victorian homes and shops; picturesque marinas; historic naval ships and naval air station; as well as beaches, lagoons, parks and San Francisco and Oakland skylines in the island city of Alameda.

The week includes a welcome reception, a luncheon and a quick draw and an outdoor exhibit and sale of all the paintings on Saturday. A selection of the unsold paintings from the sale are exhibited and for sale in the Frank Bette Center for the Arts Gallery through September of 2024.

Below: Sunset on Grand by Carol Tarzier

About Frank Bette Center for the Arts

Frank Bette Center for the Arts is committed to three objectives: Support Personal Artistic Growth, Enrich the Art Experience of Everyone in Our Community, and  Cultivate Appreciation for the Value of the Arts.

Where:

1601 Paru St.
Alameda

https://www.frankbettecenter.org/

Go to Top