Online Events

Ongoing

Stay connected with livestreaming and recorded events, from conversations with artists to dance performances and more.

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Destiny Muhammad
Our Stories, Our Sounds
African American Quilt Guild of Oakland

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Films
Past
Events

Past Events

Monday, September 20, 6:30 PM
Virtual Conversation: Judith Butler and Mel Y. Chen on Gender Politics and Pandemic Time

UC Berkeley professors Judith Butler and Mel Y. Chen discuss shifting challenges for women and racialized queer, trans, and disabled communities; queer and crip time; differing valuations of productivity; and the transformations of regimes and cultures of care in the pandemic.
Thursday, September 16, 12 PM
Lisa Wymore: New Movements

Join Lisa Wymore to discover movement as a fundamental condition of human existence.

BAMPFA

Available to the general public as livestream only. UC Berkeley students may attend in person with valid Cal One ID.
Monday, September 13, 6:30 PM
Lisa Reihana: How Can a Māori Girl Recolonize the Screen Using Mighty Pixels?

Reihana Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūteauru and Ngati Hine creates through a pioneering practice combining photography, video, and installation.
Saturday, September 11, 12:30 PM
Virtual Gallery + Studio: '20/'21 Time Capsule: You Rock!

Finding a time capsule is like discovering a message from the past. What kind of message would you like to leave for others to find?

For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)
Saturday, September 11, 2:30 PM
Virtual Roundtable Reading: Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian

Omar, known for his mischievous sense of humor, encounters anti-Muslim bigotry when his family moves to a new town and school. Read aloud with other kids to see how Omar’s huge imagination helps him respond to these challenges with his spirit and humor intact.

Recommended for ages 8 and up
Thursday, September 9, 12 PM
Ronald Rael: New Ways of Building

Professor of Architecture Ron Rael discusses how new tools can change our creativity and the design methods that change how we live and who we are.

BAMPFA

Available to the general public as livestream only. UC Berkeley students may attend in person with valid Cal One ID.
Thursday, September 2, 12 PM
Grace O’Connell: New Materials

Join the first installment in the Arts + Design Thursdays fall event series on creativity across disciplines with a talk about what it means to invent a new material.

BAMPFA

Available to the general public as livestream only. UC Berkeley students may attend in person with valid Cal One ID.
Sunday, August 22, 11 AM PDT
A Watercolor Painting Date with Leslie Baum

Translate an interior scene or outside view into a watercolor at this online “painting date”
with Chicago-based artist Leslie Baum, a shared art-making experience for ages 10 and up.
Sunday, August 22, 7PM PDT
Livestream: Three-Point Perspective

Period instrumentalists of the Contra Costa Trio reflect on the exhibition The Enduring Mark: Six Centuries of Drawing from the Gray Collection in a concert recorded at BAMPFA.

Programmed by William Skeen
Sunday, August 15, 11 AM PDT
Art Lab Studio Session with Seth Bogart

In the spirit of the BAMPFA Art Lab, let’s hang out and make some art together. Guest artist Seth Bogart joins us from his LA studio to share work and chat about recent inspirations.
Presented Saturday, July 31, 7PM PDT
Livestream: Ensemble PHASE

The Korean musical group Ensemble PHASE performs excerpts from composer Edward Schocker’s new work Self_Less, along with traditional Korean music

Programmed by Thingamajigs
Presented Sunday, July 25, 9 AM PDT
Livestream: Sound of Wave in Channel

An eleven-hour marathon experience of word and sound with poet Stephen Ratcliffe and the Thingamajigs Performance Group, followed by a live Q&A.

Programmed by Thingamajigs
Presented Thursday, July 15, 7 PM PDT
Livestream: Ensemble Pandemic Practices

Hear from members of local ensembles who developed ways to make music together during the pandemic.

Programmed by Thingamajigs
Recorded Monday, July 12, 5 PM PDT
Livestream: Destiny Muhammad on Rosie Lee Tompkins

Local jazz harp legend Destiny Muhammad presents her new work Rosie Lee Tompkins: Guided by Something More Powerful, an improvised sonic suite livestreamed from the gallery of Tompkins’s artwork.
Presented Thursday, July 8, 7 PM PDT
Livestream: Redline Redefined

Artists Sudhu Tewari and Theresa Wong discuss real estate redlining and equity and share from their sonic portfolios

Programmed by Thingamajigs
Presented Sunday, June 27, 7 PM PDT
Livestream: Our Stories, Our Sounds

Recent alumni of the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts program for young artists premiere their work-in-progress video opera, developed with the mentorship of writer Beth Lisick and composer Lisa Mezzacappa.
Recorded Saturday, June 26, 2021, 7 PM PST
Livestream: The Electronic Lover

We present the online premiere of two episodes of The Electronic Lover, a new “audio opera” by Bay Area composer Lisa Mezzacappa and New York writer Beth Lisick. The cast and creators join us for a conversation.

Programmed by Sean Carson
Presented Friday, June 25, 6 PM PDT
Black Life: Sam Vernon

Artist Sam Vernon offers a talk on the occasion of a new print project made in collaboration with the BAMPFA Film Library. Register for this event and receive a print piece in the mail!
Presented Wednesday, June 23, 4:30 PM PDT
2021 MFA Artists’ Talk

Hear the 2021 graduates of UC Berkeley’s Master of Fine Arts program talk about their work on view at BAMPFA.
Recorded Thursday, June 17, 4 PM PDT
Julia F. Andrews on Women Artists in Twentieth-Century China: A Prehistory of the Contemporary

Art historian Julia F. Andrews presents a lecture reflecting on the rise of women as artists and as female subjects for art, in the context of the evolving status of women in twentieth-century China.
Recorded Thursday, June 10, 2021
From the Estate of Eli Leon: Textile Improvisations

Artists Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Olaitan Callender-Scott, Angela Hennessy, and Ramekon O’Arwisters share new work created with fabrics from the collection of the late Eli Leon, an Oakland-based collector, scholar, and champion of African American quiltmakers.
Recorded Thursday, June 3, 4:30 PM PDT
2020 MFA Artists’ Talk

Hear the 2020 graduates of UC Berkeley’s Master of Fine Arts program talk about their work on view at BAMPFA.
Recorded Tuesday, June 1, 6 PM PDT
Black Life: Nina Collins, Eisa Davis, Geetha Ramanathan, Dawn L. Troupe, and John Wilkins in Conversation

In conjunction with BAMPFA’s presentation of Kathleen Collins’s Losing Ground, watch a live conversation and Q&A about Collins’s work with Nina Collins, Eisa Davis, Geetha Ramanathan, Dawn L. Troupe, and John Wilkins.
Presented Thursday, May 27, 1 PM PDT
Indira Allegra, Josh Faught, and Jenelle Porter on Kay Sekimachi: Lineage, Legacy, and Weaving

Artists Indira Allegra and Josh Faught talk with Jenelle Porter, guest curator of Kay Sekimachi: Geometries, about how Sekimachi has impacted their approaches to working with fiber and about the history of teaching and learning weaving in the Bay Area.
Recorded Wednesday, May 26, 7 PM PDT
Livestream: Contemporary Ballet by Women Choreographers, Part 2

Choreographer Kathryn Roszak presents a second program of recent ballet works by local women choreographers, featuring Smuin Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Diablo Ballet, and Danse Lumière.

Programmed by Kathryn Roszak
Presented Sunday, May 16, 2 PM PST
Say It Like You Mean It: Textile Collage as Storytelling

Join artist and educator Sara Knight to explore storytelling through textile collage in this workshop for all ages and skill levels.

Programmed by Alayna Tinney
Recorded Tuesday, May 11, 6 PM PDT
Griff and Keelan Williams, Nigel Poor, and Julie Rodrigues Widholm in Conversation

In conjunction with BAMPFA’s presentation of Tell Them We Were Here, watch a live conversation with the film’s directors, Griff and Keelan Williams; artist Nigel Poor; and BAMPFA Director Julie Rodrigues Widholm.
Presented Saturday, May 8, 11 AM PST
Workshop: Evacuation Routes

In the evolving context of “public space” in response to COVID-19, artist Zeph Fishlyn takes you on a live journey through the landscapes of your neighborhood, exploring notions of habit and perception. Begin at your own front door and join a Zoom call via cellphone.
Recorded Sunday, May 2, 11 AM PST
Art Lab Studio Session with Nat Russell

In the spirit of the BAMPFA Art Lab, let’s hang out and make some art together. Guest artist Nat Russell joins us from his studio to share work and chat about recent inspirations.
Presented Wednesday, April 28
Black Life: Adrian Octavius Walker

Black Life co-curator Ryanaustin Dennis interviews mixed-media artist Adrian Octavius Walker at Pt. 2 Gallery in Downtown Oakland a day before the opening of the Represented Group Exhibition, where Walker will be exhibiting new print work.
Presented Sunday, April 25, 7 PM PDT
Livestream: Contemporary Ballet by Women Choreographers, Part 1

Choreographer Kathryn Roszak presents recent ballet works by local women choreographers, featuring Smuin Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Diablo Ballet, and Danse Lumière.
Recorded Wednesday, April 21, 4 PM PDT
Quilts, Blankets, and Tapestry: Contemporary Art and Textiles with Aaron McIntosh, Marie Watt, and Ebony G. Patterson

Discover the innovative practices of three artists who have turned to textiles—incorporating or referring to them in their work—in this discussion moderated by BAMPFA Director Julie Rodrigues Widholm, presented in conjunction with Rosie Lee Tompkins: A Retrospective.
Recorded Saturday, March 27, 11 AM PDT
African American Quilt Guild of Oakland: Why I Quilt

Three celebrated members of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland—Frances Porter, Teri Green, and LaQuita Tummings—host a studio visit, sharing their quilt journeys and displaying some of their fabulous creations.
Recorded Thursday, March 25, 2021
Livestream: SPELLLING

Berkeley’s own SPELLLING weaves rich sonic textures into dramatic compositions that are equal parts dream-state ritual and earthy funk, showing off her expressive vocal styles.
Recorded Monday, March 8, 6:30 PM PDT
Gender Justice: Perspectives on Transgender Health and Policy

Join Clair Farley, director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives, and Jenna Rapues, program director of Gender Health SF at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, to hear their perspectives in a conversation moderated by writer and clinical social worker Mere Abrams.
Recorded Saturday, February 20, 2 PM PDT
Livestream: Among Quilters: Carolyn Mazloomi and Ora Clay on Rosie Lee Tompkins

Two leading African American quilt artists explore Rosie Lee Tompkins’s work and its resonance with their own in a live conversation moderated by Elaine Yau, cocurator of BAMPFA’s Tompkins retrospective.
Presented Saturday, February 6, 11 PM PDT
Workshop: Journeys in Natural Dyeing: Local Color + Design

Learn about the remarkable palette potential of plant-based dye in this workshop with textile artists Kristine Vejar and Adrienne Rodriguez, authors of the new book Journeys in Natural Dyeing: Techniques for Creating Color at Home.
Presented Sunday, January 31, 10:30 PM PDT
Virtual Art Lab Drop-In Session

Do you miss the experience of making art in a collaborative, companionable space? In the spirit of BAMPFA’s Art Lab, join facilitator Alayna Boots Tinney for a free-form, all-ages drop-in art session, using any materials and techniques you choose.
Recorded Thursday, January 28, 7 PM PDT
Livestream: To Hell and Back: Artists Explore the Post-2020 Landscape

Acclaimed recording artist/musician PC Muñoz and a panel of peers take a deep dive into how artists can create and thrive in a post-2020 world.

Programmed by Sean Carson
Presented Saturday, January 23, 4 PM PST
Workshop: Back Patches with Feral Fabric

Join this intergenerational workshop and find out how undomesticated cloth can be! We’ll look at fabric’s history as a radical tool for communication and make back patches and flags that reflect ourselves, our communities, and our values.

Programmed by Alayna Tinney
Recorded Thursday, January 7, 7 PM PDT
La Folia

Post:Ballet presents the premiere of La Folia, a ballet duet, along with other works.

Programmed by Sean Carson
Recorded Thursday, October 22, 12 PM PST
Roberta Smith and Lawrence Rinder on Rosie Lee Tompkins

Join New York Times art critic Roberta Smith and BAMPFA Director Emeritus Lawrence Rinder for a lively and searching conversation about the art of Rosie Lee Tompkins.
Presented Thursday, December 3, 7 PM PST
Destani Wolf

Powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Destani Wolf mixes live performance and multimedia in this special event.

Programmed by Sean Carson
Presented Sunday, November 1
Vote Feminist Parade

Artist Michele Pred presents a feminist digital art parade that combines recordings of two parades performed in New York and Oakland with live music, guest speakers, sing-alongs, and more.
Recorded Thursday, October 29, 6 PM PDT
Artist Conversation: Making Orbits of Known and Unknown Objects: SFAI Histories / MATRIX 277

A recorded conversation between several contributors to MATRIX 277, which explores and honors the rich legacy of the San Francisco Art Institute on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.
Presented Friday, October 23, 4 PM PDT
Workshop: Drawing to Soothe the Mind and Relax the Senses

Meet multidisciplinary artist Rob Moss Wilson on Zoom to explore drawing techniques for feeling free, getting loose, and having fun. All ages welcome!
Presented Saturday, July 25, 12 PM PDT
Storm in Isolation

A new dance work from inkBoat followed by a live interview and participatory exercise.

Related

Duets in Social Distance: Grex

Grex presents "Blood" and "Moon Baby."
Duets in Social Distance: Lisa Mezzacappa and John Finkbeiner

Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa and guitarist John Finkbeiner perform from New, Improved Recording in Oakland, California.
Duets in Social Distance: Isaac Pastor-Chermak and Alison Lee

Cellist Isaac Pastor-Chermak and pianist Alison Lee team up for an exclusive at-home performance of a Beethoven sonata, in celebration of his 250th birthday in December 2020.
Duets in Social Distance: Broken Incidental Sequence

Prodigious percussionist Kevin Carnes, along with friends and family, created this video, a meditation on what pandemic isolation means in musical and social terms.
Duets in Social Distance: Charlton Lee and Kathryn Bates

Violist Charlton Lee and cellist Kathryn Bates of Del Sol Quartet perform from home, including two pieces composed during shelter-in-place.
Duets in Social Distance: Theresa Wong and Ellen Fullman

Theresa Wong and Ellen Fullman reveal their music recording process while sheltering in place at home.
Duets in Social Distance: Adam Theis and Shaina Evoniuk

Husband-and-wife duo Adam Theis and Shaina Evoniuk of Jazz Mafia perform from home.
Friday, April 30, 12:00 PM PDT
BAMFest 2021

BAMPFA Student Committee presents BAMFest 2021, a virtual take on their annual music and arts festival.

A BAMPFA Student Committee event.
From Collective Isolation: Sara Wintz

Sara Wintz reads “Buddy.”
From Collective Isolation: James Cagney

James Cagney reads “The Ending of Things” and “Compliance.”
From Collective Isolation: Ava Koohbor

Ava Koohbor reads “Time Recycled.”
From Collective Isolation: Farnoosh Fathi

Farnoosh Fathi reads “Morning Poem (Undie Popovers).”
Views and Voices: Delphine Sims on James Oliver Mitchell’s Portrait of Diane di Prima

Delphine Sims, a PhD candidate in UC Berkeley’s History of Art Department, reflects on local photographer James Oliver Mitchell’s multivalent portrait of Beat-era poet Diane di Prima.
Black Life Podcast: Akande X

Black Life host Ryanaustin Dennis speaks speaks with writer and thinker Akande X, whose work explores the intersection of blackness, comedy, the Internet, and politics.
Views and Voices: Saffron Sener on Hans Hofmann’s And out of the Caves . . .

BAMPFA Student Committee Co-chair Saffron Sener looks at Hans Hofmann’s painting And out of the Caves the Night Threw a Handful of Pale Tumbling Pigeons in the Light through the lens of its title, a line from Rainer Maria Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus.
Black Life Podcast: MahaWam

Black Life host Ryanaustin Dennis speaks with Oakland-based musician, nightlife organizer, producer, and DJ MahaWam.
Views and Voices: Claire Frost on Eva Hesse’s Test Pieces

BAMPFA Curatorial Assistant Claire Frost discusses one of Eva Hesse’s intriguing Test Pieces in this recorded talk.
Views and Voices: Claire Ittner on Romare Bearden

Claire Ittner, a doctoral candidate in UC Berkeley's History of Art Department, explores Romare Bearden's collage Berkeley: A City and Its People.
From Collective Isolation: MK Chavez

MK Chavez reads “The Great Mother.”
From Collective Isolation: Tongo Eisen-Martin

Tongo Eisen-Martin reads “I Do Not Know the Spelling of Money” and “The Chicago Prairie Fire.”
From Collective Isolation: Raina León

Raina León reads “For Aurélia on the 16th day of self-isolation, March 28, 2020.”
From Collective Isolation: Michal “MJ” Jones

Michal “MJ” Jones reads “Gone” and “Unnamed.”
From Collective Isolation: Josiah Luis Alderete

Josiah Luis Alderete reads “somos . . .”
From Collective Isolation: Maw Shein Win

Maw Shein Win reads “Quiver, fern,” “Stranger,” “The Parlors,” and “The Soft Part of the Brain.”
From Collective Isolation: Sunnylyn Thibodeaux

Sunnylyn Thibodeaux reads “Notes from the Fire Escape.”

Online Events

Ongoing

Stay connected with livestreaming and recorded events, including dance, music, and poetry performances, virtual exhibition tours, conversations with artists and filmmakers, and personal reflections on artworks in the collection.

Stay connected with livestreaming and recorded events, including dance, music, and poetry performances, virtual exhibition tours, conversations with artists and filmmakers, and personal reflections on artworks in the collection.

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