Frank Bette Center for the Arts

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.

New show in the gallery! Illusions: Distortions or misrepresentations of reality by the senses. Changes in perspective, ...
06/03/2026

New show in the gallery!
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.
June 5–August 1
Reception: June 13, 3–5 pm 🍷

Local businesses - Help us Paint Alameda!Alameda is about to become one giant outdoor art studio.This summer, artists fr...
05/30/2026

Local businesses - Help us Paint Alameda!

Alameda is about to become one giant outdoor art studio.
This summer, artists from around the region will spend a week painting Alameda's historic homes, waterfronts, gardens, boats, and neighborhoods as part of the Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout (Last week in July).

We're looking for local businesses to help make it happen.

By sponsoring the event, you'll support local arts, community programming, youth artists, and one of Alameda's most beloved cultural traditions.

Interested in being part of it? Send us a message!

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

Join award-winning Bay Area artist Cleo Vilett for a 2-day plein air workshop focused on simplifying scenes for stronger...
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

There’s always something happening around here — and plenty of ways to get involved, meet like-minded people, and suppor...
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.

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

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

Address

1601 Paru Street
Alameda, CA
94501

Opening Hours

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

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