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Friday 11am - 5pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 5pm

Frank Bette Center for the Arts

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Alameda, CA
Frank Bette Center for the Arts

. . . a place for meetings, readings, showings, and other creative doings." — Frank Bette How to Unleash Creativity!

Enlighten - Expose yourself to new ideas, materials, techniques and perspectives. Challenge - Act on your curiosity and inspiration to experiment. Grow - Commit to improving your skills, artistic voice and artwork. Share - Share your creative journey and artwork with others. Celebrate - Appreciate and embrace every step along your path as an accomplishment, from the first toe in the water to the pinnacle of the mountain.

05/23/2026

🎨 Create atmosphere, light, and emotion in your plein air paintings with award-winning artist Lorraine Cote.

In this immersive 2-day workshop, Lorraine will guide students through exercises and painting sessions focused on value, color harmony, composition, and expressive brushwork—all designed to help you create paintings filled with mood and atmosphere. Day 1 includes studio-based studies and demos, while Day 2 takes the class outdoors for plein air painting with both group and individual instruction.

Lorraine’s impressionistic style is known for bold brushstrokes, dynamic compositions, and capturing the feeling of a moment. Recent honors include Best in Show at Oceanside Plein Air and the Genie Scott Award at the Frank Bette Invitational.

🖌️ Creating Atmosphere and Mood En Plein Air: 2 Day Workshop
📍 Instructor: Lorraine Cote
📅 August 3 & 4
⏰ 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Register here: https://www.frankbettecenter.org/oil-plein-air

05/21/2026

Join award-winning Bay Area artist Cleo Vilett for a 2-day plein air workshop focused on simplifying scenes for stronger, more impactful paintings. Working primarily in oils (all mediums welcome!), Cleo will guide students in designing powerful compositions, editing out visual clutter, and painting with intention.

With a background in marine biology and science illustration, Cleo brings a unique perspective to landscape painting — exploring the intersection of urban and wild spaces through light, atmosphere, and observation.

📅 July 17 & 18
🕘 Friday & Saturday, 9 am–4 pm

$250 Members | $300 Non-members

Register here: https://www.frankbettecenter.org/plein-air

05/18/2026

There’s always something happening around here — and plenty of ways to get involved, meet like-minded people, and support the arts in Alameda! Have a skill, talent, or a little spare time to share? Send us a message — we’d love to connect and find the right fit for you.

05/16/2026

Coming to the Signature Gallery
PEACH PIE AND PARALLELS 🍦
CAROL SQUICCI
June 5 – June 27, 2026
Reception: Saturday, June 13, 3–5 pm

05/06/2026

Updated to Monday Night Life Drawing Class. For the next two months, models will be doing long poses (1+ hour) on 2nd and last Mondays!

$20 drop-in, or pay for the entire month at https://www.frankbettecenter.org/life-drawing

04/28/2026

Webster Park has new art! Gene Kahane takes a trip to the multipurpose park for the unveiling of seven new murals. The new installation, called "Throwing Shade," brings attention to the disparity of greenery in the West End, relative to higher-income areas.

https://alamedapost.com/features/arts/webster-park-unveils-throwing-shade/

04/26/2026

Good morning from the Frank Bette Center for the Arts 🌤

Featuring a beautiful painting by Annie Haines, created on location—capturing the corner of Lincoln and Paru in the moment.

Gallery open Friday–Sunday from 11–5

Upcoming Events:
• May 2: Tea Towel Prints with Katie Connell
Register: https://www.frankbettecenter.org/tea-towel-prints

• May 9: Alameda on Camera Mid-Show Reception (3–5 PM)
(No registration required)

• May 18 & 19: Plein Air Watercolor Class at Meyers House
Register: https://www.frankbettecenter.org/intro-to-plein-air-painting

We hope you will come and see us soon!

04/23/2026

Community Art Show — Call for Art!

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.

Entry Fees:
Members $20 with unlimited entries.
Non-members $30 with 2 entries.

Exhibit Dates: June 5 – August 1, 2026
Receiving: Sunday, May 31, 11 am–5 pm
Receptions: Saturday, June 13 & Saturday, July 11, 2026, 3–5 pm

Get all your forms and details here: https://www.frankbettecenter.org/illusions

04/20/2026

A very special class ~ Intro to Plein Air Painting (Watercolor): 2 Sessions

Join watercolor instructor Margaret W. Fago for a two-day outdoor painting workshop at the historic Meyers House on the Alameda Museum grounds.

Dates: May 18 & 19
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: 2021 Alameda Ave, Alameda

This is a rare opportunity to paint on the Meyers House property, which is typically closed to the public. You’ll have views of the mansion, gardens, and surrounding buildings while learning how to observe light, simplify shapes, and create strong compositions.

Day one focuses on selecting a subject, understanding light, and making value sketches. Day two is dedicated to developing a finished painting, with demonstrations each day.

Medium: Watercolor
Skill Level: Beginning to intermediate

Participants should bring their own plein air setup (chair, easel or small table, paints, brushes, paper, and water container). Expect a short walk from the parking area to the painting location.

Water and restroom access will be available, and there is an indoor option if needed due to weather.

Fees: $50 Members | $65 Non-members (covers both days)

Spend a couple of mornings painting outdoors and building your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Register here: https://www.frankbettecenter.org/intro-to-plein-air-painting

Address

1601 Paru Street
Alameda, CA
94501

Opening Hours

Friday	11am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 5pm
Sunday	11am - 5pm

Website

http://www.frankbettecenter.org/

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