Several artists at Offramp Studios showcased their work at Offramp the first two weekends of June during Pro-Art's East Bay Open Studios. The cover painting for this year's map/catalog was created by resident artist f. Michael Wells. Participants this year were f Michael Wells (paintings and Prints, Helen Ann Licht (paintings) and Richard Akers (sculpture, ceramics and painting).

Open Studios - June 13th and 14th
11AM to 5PM

Off Ramp Studios
1155 5th St.
Oakland, CA 94607

Richard's DVD makes a great gift holidays. Order now and receive it before Christmas.

Learn how to work with color clays to create marbled effects in your pottery with Richard Akers' latest DVD Marbled Color Clay. Akers demonstrates techniques to achieving various styles of marbling and vessel construction. Get tips and exert advice on how to transform your pottery with two or more types of clay. This 2 hour video is a condensed version of a workshop given at Rossmore in Walnut Creek, CA.

Buy the DVD for $15, plus $3 shipping.

From the back cover:

Richard's Passion for creating things goes back to his childhood. As a boy, he grew up helping his family at their waterfront restaurant business. At the age of six, Richard had open heat surgery and suffered oxygen deprivation, necessitating that he relearn much of the language skills we all take for granted. Growing up with a learning disability, Richard found that he excelled in the three-dimensional realm working with his hands, putting things together and taking them apart.

Creation. Repetition. Destruction.

Today Dr. Richard Akers chairs the Contra Costa College Art Department in the San Francisco Bay Area, and lives with his wife Kate in a sun-light loft filled with art and pets. Richard is pictured with his current series of work: Cores from Ground Zero, created 2006 in reaction to the events of 9/11.

I'm passing on this request for action regarding the Oakland City Council's apparent intent to cut funding for important arts related programs such as Pro-Arts, whose annual Open Studios event I participate in every year. The information below explains the situation and offers a link to sign a petition. Please forward this on to others in the community who may find it of importance.

Thank you,

Æ’ Michael Wells

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Urgent Message: Suspension of Oakland Arts Funding

Dear Artists, Members & Patrons,

Pro Arts risks losing its gallery!!! The Oakland City Council is considering suspending Oakland Arts funding this year as an alternative to the Mayor's Budget. We need your help- Whether you live or work in Oakland or elsewhere in the East Bay- Berkeley, Emeryville, Richmond, Alameda-- this affects you!

A significant portion of Pro Arts' operating budget comes from the City of Oakland's Cultural Funding Program. A suspension of this program this year would have dire impacts on Pro Arts and all of Oakland Arts, the Oakland/East Bay Symphony, the
Crucible, Creative Growth, Eastside Arts Alliance, MOCHA, and more. This is the time to act! Here's how:

1. Forward this urgent message to as many people as possible.
2. Sign the online petition
3. Come to the Oakland City Council Meeting on Tuesday October 21, 6pm City Hall- One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Second Floor Oakland, CA 94612
4. Contact an Oakland Council Member and let them know how important Oakland/East Bay arts are to you!

Thank you,
Margo Dunlap- Executive Director, Pro Arts

In August Richard and his crew traveled to Gustavus Alaska to install an 8 cubic foot kiln previously constructed in the spring by Richard and Carl Mankert. This video shows the unpacking and installation process. The guys also conducted a raku workshop for the neighborhood children. Richard ends the video with tips on how to select and harvest indigenous clays.