frank bette center for the arts

Revolving collection of art by local professional artists, all at reasonable prices. Wide variety of media and subjects. Lots of local scenes from the annual Plein Aire festival. Classes in many media:One day or several weeks Beautiful aprons & quilted specialties. paper boxes, wood turned & ceramic bowls. LOTS of creativity.Something for the entire family.

This place is truly a labor of love. Run by volunteers (after the stellar Debra Owen stepped down as paid administrator), it continues on through sheer strength of will, careful management, and generous donations. Frank Bette donated this yellow Edwardian house when he died, in hope of a place for "creative doings". As a consummate artist, painter, and craftsman, Frank would have been proud. FBCA hosts affordable classes, body paint jams, poetry slams, musical performances, and of course, visual art exhiibits. Exhibits - based on their "endless call for art" - change every month or two, and the FBCA hosts two unique events. Alameda on Camera doles out a territory map, and each of 40 +- selected photographers has 24 hours in April to capture their little section of this photogenic city's spirit. FBCA also hosts a "Plein Air Paintout" where plein air artists from all over the world gather to translate light and paint into magic. Of course, there is art for sale here. Quality ranges from modestly-priced advanced amateur to extremely sophisticated fine-art pieces. This is a family-friendly gallery; you may see some tasteful nudity but no graphic sexual images. This is definitely a great place to spend an hour soaking up creativity, or even more time expressing creativity of your own.FBCA is also the host of the first regularly-scheduled body painting jam on the west coast. (full disclosure, I host it).