Italian Art Retreat

10/29/2024

Hello Friends,
I am so honored to have been one of 25 artists selected from around the country to have been invited to exhibit my artwork at the 15th Havana Biennial in Havana, Cuba

Please click on video link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WbLZa5BbRk

Mixed-Media Artist Selected to Showcase Quilts at the 15th Havana Biennial.
As a seasoned mixed-media artist blending fine art, craft, and design, William Rhodes has been chosen to represent a creative voice from the United States at the prestigious 15th Havana Biennial in Havana, Cuba. Organized by the Wifredo Lam Centre, the Bienal de la Habana is a celebration of global artistic expression and cultural exchange.

Rhodes’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in exploration and storytelling. With a dedication to preserving local African American history, he integrates a variety of mediums and materials, including wood, metal, glass, fabric, and needlework. Notably, quilting has become a significant focus, serving as a medium to immortalize narratives and collaborate with communities.

At the upcoming 15th Havana Biennial, William Rhodes will present two distinctive quilts: one traditional sewn quilt and a Community Knotted Quilt. The Community Knotted Quilt, a unique collaborative effort, involves participants from both San Francisco’s Bayview Hunters Point and Western Addition communities, as well as individuals from Cuba. Through quilt workshops hosted at La Casa de Africa, participants will design and create their own fabric squares. These will then be knotted together rather than sewn, symbolizing shared experiences and cultural exchange.

Reflecting on the theme of "Shared Horizons," Rhodes emphasizes the project's role in fostering connections between countries historically divided by political tensions. The quilts, along with the workshops, aim to bridge cultural gaps and promote dialogue through art.

Both quilts will join the permanent collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts - International Art, highlighting the power of art in uniting diverse communities and preserving cultural heritage.

The 15th Havana Biennial will take place from November 15th, 2024, to February 28th, 2025.

10/17/2024

Hello Friends and Colleagues,

Please join me this Saturday, Oct 19th and Sunday, Oct 20th from 11am - 6pm for my Open Studio event. I am at the Hunterspoint Shipyard building 101 in studio # 2317. Come see my new work and creative process.

After Open Studio this Saturday, join us for the Hunterspoint Crane Illumination event. Please see more information below.

Crane Lighting and projection
Saturday, Oct 19th- 6pm -10pm.
Crane Viewing Area & Performances: There will be an outdoor viewing area set up in the last bay of Building 101, by the kitchen, which offers the best view of the crane. Live music will be performed there, with speeches starting at 6 PM and sound performances beginning at 7:15, 8, and 9 PM. The sound performances will coincide with the crane light shows. Between performances, there will be ambient lighting on the crane and softer background sound.

Food & Beverages: Food and beverage service will be available at Building 101 from around 5 or 5:30 PM until 8 or 9 PM, provided by one of the kitchen vendors through En2action’s food vendor program (the same program that supports Open Studios). They will be serving vegetarian chili, clam chowder, cookies, and a variety of drinks including beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.
Hunterspoint Shipyard
451 Galvez Ave
San Francisco, CA 94124

09/28/2024

I want to thank everyone that attended our event and exhibition which highlights the history and fight for equality of African American workers at the Hunterspoint shipyard. This project allowed me to create several quilts documenting shipyard life and struggles. I also facilitated the creation of a community knotted quilt, which allowed seniors to tell their stories of the migration from the South to California. Stacey Carter added historic pictures of shipyard and its workers. Barbara Ockel helped to manage and organize this year long project. Several seniors that worked at the Hunterspoint shipyard, shared their experiences in a panel discussion. Attached below are interviews of seniors. Please click on the link:
Community Day: Oral History Interviews
https://vimeo.com/showcase/11373985

09/05/2024

Hello Friends,

Please Join us tomorrow, Sept 5th for the opening of the: African American Shipyard History Quilts exhibition.

Also check out our radio interview on KQED below.
https://omny.fm/shows/kqed-segmented-audio/bayview-hunters-point-exhibit-highlights-neighborh

Thank you and see you tomorrow,
William

African American Shipyard History Quilt Project

Opening Reception Thursday, Sept. 5, 6-8 PM

Don't miss this display of local history and art, created collectively by Bayview seniors, Stacey Carter and William Rhodes.

Detail from one of the quilts by William Rhodes, based on a historic document sourced by Stacey Carter.

Stacey Carter recently received this very heavy historic plaque as a gift from the Hornet Museum in Alameda. A thoughtful curator found it in the bowels of the old ship: it details the amazing record of ships serviced here during WWII.

William Rhodes produced the quilts along with the help from seniors from Bayview Senior Services.

All Shipyard Stories Events

Reception: Thursday, September 5, 6-8 p.m.

Gallery Exhibition: Open Saturdays September 14, 21, 28, October 5, 1 -5 p.m.

Saturday Walkabouts with additional artists in their studios: Saturday September 14, 21, 28

Shipyard History Tour with Stacey Carter: Saturday, September 14, 1 p.m. (lasts one hour) Get tickets

Stacey Carter will give an overview of Shipyard history.

Community Day: Saturday, September 21, 2-4 p.m.
Bayview seniors will tell their stories

Talk with the Artists: Saturday, October 5, 2-4 p.m.
Stacey Carter and William Rhodes will discuss their year-long project

08/27/2024

Hello Friends,
Please join me this Wednesday, August 28th at 5pm for my artist talk at the San Francisco Art Commission Gallery.
Location:
SFAC Gallery
401 Van Ness Ave Suite 126, San Francisco, CA 94102

Sculpture by William Rhodes, "Fifth Dimensional Generation"; Carved wood, found objects from grandparents’ house, paint and gold leaf, 53in x 32in x 7in.
This artwork is constructed out of carved wood and found objects from my grandparents’ house. My grandparents were products of the “Great Depression”. This means, they saved everything and reused things many times over. Old screws, nails, keys, boxes, and tools were never discarded because my grandfather would reuse them to fix something in the house. After the
passing of my grandparents, I inherited their home filled with items. I couldn’t decide if I should throw away everything because no one wanted this junk. As I began going through everything, I realized how each object brought back memories. The objects told me a story of my family and how each generation changed. I began placing the objects together and they began to dictate the
construction of the artwork. When I look back at the final work I can see my family history through every object.

Alison Ho and William Rhodes
It is an honor to be in this two person exhibition with Alison Ho.

About the Artists:
Alison Ho is an interdisciplinary artist. Originally from Campbell, California, she currently resides in San Mateo, California with her husband and Australian Labradoodle. In 2013, she graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara as a Regents Special Fellow and holds an MFA in Art. In 2010, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Oregon and holds a BFA in Digital Arts.

William Rhodes has been a mixed media artist for more than 30 years. He was born in Baltimore, MD but relocated to San Francisco, CA 20 years ago. Rhodes received a BA in Furniture Building and Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. His creative works are in the collections of various galleries and museums. Most recently, his work was included in permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. It’s been a passion for the last 12 years to share his enthusiasm for art and public service as both instructor and, more recently, as Intergenerational Program Director at Bayview Services. Rhodes also, dedicates part of his time to art education, including art collaborations with schools and Senior Centers in San Francisco, South Africa, Italy and Egypt. He is the co-founder of a Black art collective in San Francisco. The 3.9 Art Collective was formed in 2011 in response to the declining Black population in San Francisco.

https://www.sfartscommission.org/experience-art/exhibitions/annex-limitation

08/24/2024

https://youtu.be/Hr4ZnvXgbJ4?si=uUrALjz19fkXqJQO

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

08/24/2024

HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Thursday, August 22, 6 PM

For artists William Rhodes and Tarika Lewis, the history and narratives of the African American community in San Francisco are the inspirational lifeblood of their work. On Thursday, August 22, we invite you for a documentary screening of Blood Seeks Blood, a film by Lewis followed by a presentation of the Narrative Quilt Project by Rhodes. This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Art, Action, Change: YBCA Creative Corps Initiative, on view at YBCA through September 15.

08/24/2024

HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN SAN FRANCISCO

For artists William Rhodes and Tarika Lewis, the history and narratives of the African American community in San Francisco are the inspirational lifeblood of their work. On Thursday, August 22, we invite you for a documentary screening of Blood Seeks Blood, a film by Lewis followed by a presentation of the Narrative Quilt Project by Rhodes. This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Art, Action, Change: YBCA Creative Corps Initiative, on view at YBCA through September 15.

08/21/2024

Hello Friends,

Please join me and the Black Panther Party member and artist, Tarika Lewis for our YBCA opening of "Feed the Soul and Feed the Belly Thursday Night Series" - History and Genealogy of Blacks in San Francisco on Thursday, August 22 from 6pm to 8pm.

For artists William Rhodes and Tarika Lewis, the history and narratives of the African American community in San Francisco are the inspirational lifeblood of their work. On Thursday, August 22, we invite you for a documentary screening of Blood Seeks Blood, a film by Lewis followed by a presentation of the Narrative Quilt Project by Rhodes.

Come celebrate with food, fun and history.

REGISTER HERE

08/07/2024

Working on one of my Community Knotted quilts. A big thank you to everyone that added their story to the quilt.

07/27/2024

Hello Friends, I am very excited about connecting with actor and activist Danny Glover. We are planning future collaborations with Danny Glover and the Intergenerational Program at Bayview Senior Services. I will keep you posted on future community events that will include Danny and the youth and seniors participanting in our Intergenerational Program. Thank you, William

06/25/2024

Hello Friends and Art Lovers,

Just a reminder to join us for our Theater and Music Reception this Wednesday, June 26th at 3:30pm. We are honored to have a special guest joining us, actor Barry Shabaka Henley from the TV sitcom, Bob Hearts Abishola.
Location: Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center
1753 Carroll Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94124
This is a free event and space is limited. Please let me know if you would like to attend.
Thank you,
William

--
William Rhodes
Artist and Intergenerational Program Director

06/19/2024

Please join Adonia Middleton, Charles Unger and William Rhodes for our Artists-in-Residence exhibition Q & A on June 29th from 2pm -4pm at the Hunters Point Shipyard.
Artist panel moderated by Tyra Fennell from the Mayor’s office.
Sign up below to hold your space.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artists-in-residence-panel-discussion-registration-924057429647?aff=erelexpmlt&_gl=1*1y71ozx*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzE1Njg5Njk0LjE3MTg3NzI0MTQ.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTcxODc3MjQxMy4xLjAuMTcxODc3MjQxMy4wLjAuMA..

05/28/2024

Hello Friends and Art Lovers,

Please join me for my Artist and Residency exhibition entitled, Threaded Identities this Thursday, May 30th from 6pm - 8pm at the Hunters Point Shipyard Galley. Featuring, Artist and Residence Adonia Middleton, Charles Unger and William Rhodes.

05/25/2024

Please join us for our Residency exhibition entitled, Threaded Identities on Thursday, May 30th from 6pm - 8pm at the Hunters Point Shipyard Galley. Featuring, artist and Residence Adonia Middleton, Charles Unger and William Rhodes

04/29/2024

A big thanks to the Jennie Smith and the De Young Museum for our wonderful Intergenerational collaboration. Our show at the museum was entitled, The Vitality Arts Exhibition. In these images I am giving a speak to guest and participants. Also, I have attached a picture of my art produced and exhibited at the De Young Museum.

04/26/2024