Frank Bette Center For the Arts

This is a nice gallery. I do know several people who are members, and compete in the Alameda on Camera show. However, that isn’t why they get a high rating.
They have reasonably price art and classes. While I have never seen anything I could not live without, you might. They have had some interesting speakers. It is a nice community gallery.

The people working there are extremely nice. However, the cashier was not able to make the correct change, even after her error was pointed out. I was short changed and she insisted she was right. OK that’s not cool. She must know she’s not a math whiz. I let it go because it wasn’t worth it. Maybe a calculator is in order. Most of the items on display were meh, not at all unique. The work could have been better displayed. A few things were very nice like the turned woodwork and ceramics from one artist. Much of the art seemed pretty ordinary. Surely there are exciting artists in the area. I suppose they accept everyone’s work, since they don’t seem to have an abundance of artwork on display. I like to be inspired when I go to an art center. This did not fit the bill. I don’t think many artist or consumers even know about the place. The two rooms could easily display twice as many things in a more beautiful and festive way. I am glad this place exists. I just wish it could be more of an exciting place. It has potential to be so much better.

Four stars for the staff. Three for the execution of the place. It is simply «okay», mediocre, thus the three stars. The people are very and I mean VERY nice there, thus the four stars. However, I just think that it could be curated better and the classes could be much more interesting. When I visit, I think there must be more exceptional artists in the East Bay, but maybe they just accept everyone and anyone? (thus the «community» art center) I think one can find much more diverse and holistic small town associations in the Bay Area like Mill Valley’s O’Hanlon Center for the Arts or The Headlands Center for the Arts, but hey that is Marin, but I honestly think we can do as well as the Marinites right here in Alameda. Maybe a field trip by the staff is due? Then again, I think, well, at least there is an art center in Alameda and we should be truly grateful. While thinking about it, it seems that only one artist deems worthy of my speak in the sea of housewives and retirees that seem to hover there. His name is Joaquin Turner and he is exceptional. My biggest gripe is the classes that they have are very VERY bland descriptions and nothing too interesting, like something that would be in a small town in Ohio or New Jersey. Something should be done with the backyard, a garden, trees, murals, something! It looks like a set off of the 70’s sitcom, Sanford and Son.

This is a great place! An embracing and inclusive artist community.
They have monthly theme shows and other events to enter. The mediums are mostly painting, photos and sculptures, but there are literary events and classes too. From the shows I’ve seen the artist a quite varied in style and level of accomplishment.
Want a place for support and growth? This is it!

5 stars for very down to earth, personable staff. The owner is witty, eclectic and nice. The teacher I’m taking the class with has a heart of gold and is so supportive of those of us with no art talent trying to make a go of it anyway just for fun. The gallery is small but with many interesting items, and in the back is the studio where they hold classes. The class offerings are outside the usual main stream classes, yet appealing and easy to do for regular folk like myself. And their prices are very affordable.

Amazing gallery tucked away in a sleepy corner of Alameda. It has a great community feel without feeling all «community». Know what I mean? It’s nice to roam through a gallery and not feel rushed or attitude from the staff. Worth a visit for sure.

The visual art displayed in here is sometimes mudane, but more often than not really trippy and thought-​provoking (as art should be, eh?).
I really like the themes they choose for their shows. And I like that most of the art is for sale at reasonable prices, for a collector like me, who appreciates art I can afford instead of some Picasso that will always be out of reach.
I support them when I can.