Frank Bette Center for the Arts
1601 Paru Street, corner of Lincoln Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
1601 Paru St
Alameda, CA 94501
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Debra J Owen
phone: 510-523-6957
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The Frank Bette Center for the Arts is a creative hub for the community, providing artistic growth and appreciation through a variety of activities and programs. Fulfilling Frank Bette's dream of creating "a place where creative people could have meetings, readings, showings and other doings." To enhance that dream by being an advocate and resource for all to create, enjoy and appreciate the arts.
FBCA is the leading catalyst for community development through art. When you truly know the breadth of our programs, our mission and values you'll be impressed with our vision for the future of our organization and our community. FBCA is the most exciting, proactive and innovative arts organization in our community creating an atmosphere in which the visual and literary arts can thrive.
Making the most of every bit of our limited space, we applaud, educate and inspire. At FBCA, changing each and every month, you'll find fresh vitality in four fascinating exhibits. Starting with our Showcase Gallery celebrating the artistic spirit with salon style thematic exhibits of more than 175 pieces of artwork by over 50 artists. Our Portrait Gallery features the specialized talent of a portraiture. Our Staircase Gallery is a fun venue highlighting youthful creativity. Finally the Signature Salon hosts solo exhibits by talented individual artists, as well as exhibits featuring our schools and other community service organizations.
The Frank Bette Center for the Arts was born of the vision of Frank Bette. Frank Bette, immigrated to the US from Germany when he was 25 yrs old. A master antique furniture restorer, this two-story turn of the century Victorian served as his workshop and storefront for over 30 years.
Frank Bette was known to most of the community as the proprietor of a quiet business on a cross-town thoroughfare. In his other persona he was a prolific, multi-talented artist with a heart and mind as big as the world. Though a well loved member of the community, only a handful of people knew he was also a prolific artist - sculpting, painting and writing poetry.
Upon his death in 1999 at age 96, he bequeathed his estate to house a community arts center and steward his life's work. In his words, "a place for meeting, readings, showings, and other creative doings."
Frank Bette left thousands of drawings and paintings, dozen of sculpture pieces, and 5 books of poetry. Frank's legacy is preserved both in the artworks he left us and the vision that is today the Frank Bette Center for the Arts.
At FBCA, we know the arts are the laboratory for the development and understanding of the creative processes. Creativity is a basic, powerful & defining human capacity. The exercise, expression and appreciation of our creativity is crucial for the health of individuals and communities.
Our strength as a dynamic art center serving our community, is in the outreach and creative partnering with both individuals and organizations. FBCA is especially proud to be an inviting place for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities by offering engaging programs such as poetry readings, storytelling, visual art exhibits, classes and workshops, art lectures, discussions and demonstrations, musical events, and much more.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: No
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