Welcome Legacy Print Council

Members of Legacy Print Council will be in residence at Kala May 8th through May 14th. We are thrilled they are here! Legacy Print Council (LPC) is a decentralized network of BIPOC printmakers united by a shared commitment to equity and representation in the field of printmaking. Formed to affirm the presence and contributions of underrepresented artists, the LPC fosters collaboration, visibility, and community through a practice grounded in mutual support and collective empowerment. This incredibly talented artist collective is made up of: Delita Martin, Rashaun Rucker, Jamaal Barber, Benjamin Muñoz, Chloe Alexander, Rabéa Ballin, Jess Sabogal, Steve A. Prince, Shanna Strauss, and Ann Johnson. Check them out on Instagram at @legacyprintcouncil

Meet the Legacy Print Council!

Join us on Monday, May 12 from 3 - 5 pm at Kala Studio (1060 Heinz Ave see access details below) to meet these artists from the LPC and check out their works in progress.

• Jamaal Barber @jbarberstudio
• Chloe Alexander @thehaplessprintmaker
• Rabéa Ballin @rballin
• Jess Sabogal @jessicasabogal
• Steve A. Prince @onefishstudio
• Shanna Strauss @shanna.strauss 
• Ann Johnson @solesisterart 

To access Kala's 1060 Heinz Avenue print studio:

• Buzz up using the intercom at the Heinz avenue entrance
• Note: the studio is at the top of 3 flights of stairs. If stairs present an access issue for you, please let staff know.
• Print Studio office can be reached at 510-549-2977 ext 314

Exhibition: Feeling Language

May 17, 2025 — August 9, 2025

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 17, 12-4pm

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, May 17, 12-4pm! Kala Gallery is excited to co-present the exhibition Feeling Language curated by Kate Laster and Julio Rodriguez with NIAD Art Center, featuring new works by over 30 artists, the majority from NIAD Art Center with additional artists from Hospitality House’s Community Arts Program, Creative Growth, and Creativity Explored. Feeling Language examines comfort and power in text, writing, reading, sharing and communications.

At the opening reception on May 17, there will be a community workshop, SONG NEST: collaborative visual songwriting with Abby Gregg at 1 pm.

Learn More

Our week-long camps for children/youth ages 6-11 & 11-17 offer a safe, fun, and creative experience in printmaking, painting and drawing, sculpture, digital photography, and more.

Listen to what what past campers and their families are saying:

• "Kala art camp for kids is GREAT!
• "It was beautiful to watch. I'm so thankful (on my daughter's behalf) that she had this opportunity - it far exceeded our expectations!"
• "The staff were quite talented and able to guide the kids in doing some really complex projects -- the campers were very proud of their work."
• "My incoming 1st-grade daughter just finished a week of Camp Kala, and it was fantastic. She loved it, and came home each day excited to return the next morning."
• "The instructors enabled the kids to explore with materials and styles; provided input, guidance, and support, and helped the kids start thinking about their own interests and characters as artists."

We are accepting applications for Summer Interns with Camp Kala

find out more here.

10% multi-session / sibling discount. Sliding scale/tuition assistance available.

All Camp Kala Sessions

July-December 2025 classes are here! 

Members receive 10% off. Join the Friends of Kala membership program here.

New Sculpture Lab Class Highlights

Ceramic Pinch Pots & Objects

Saturday, July 12, 10am - 2pm

Instructor: Melissa Wang

Sculpture Lab

Register Today!

Explore the world of handbuilding through the versatile and playful pinch pot. This intensive, hands-on and quick-paced course will introduce you to important clay tools, basic clay techniques (like wedging), and the pinch pot form. Simple yet expansive, the course will be learner-based, allowing you to perfect the pinch pot form, make multiples, explore details (like patterns) or combine forms. Walk away with stacks of pinch pots or objects like tiny creatures (see course example). No former ceramics experience required.

Intro to Nerikomi: Pattern Making with Colored Clay

Saturday, August 23, 10am - 1pm

Instructor: Rie Dion

Sculpture Lab

Register Today!

Nerikomi is a decorative ceramic technique established in Japan. Working with colored clay is a fun way to introduce color and pattern onto your ceramic work. In this class, we’ll look at examples of this ceramic art form and walk through the step by step creation of colored blocks of clay. By stacking and slicing through the cross section we’ll reveal simple patterns of colored clay and use them to create small plates. No prior experience with ceramics required – all are welcome!

Upcoming Adult Class Highlights

Intro to Lumen Printing

2 Saturdays, June 7& 14 (10am -2pm)

Instructor: Christine Huhn

Heinz Printmaking Studio

Register Today!

In this class, students will be given an introduction to the camera-less photographic process, lumen printing. Create unique imagery in the photographic darkroom using silver gelatin (black and white) paper, found objects and light. Students will be able to experiment with different light sources and photographic papers. Students may also bring negatives to class to experiment with if they have them.

Handprinting Patterns on Fabric

Saturday, and Sunday June 21 & 22 (10am - 2 pm)

Instructor: Whitney Humphreys

San Pablo Community Classroom

Register Today!

With a focus on experimentation, this class will be an introduction to blockprinting and learning how to design and handprint continuous patterns on fabric. Students will come away from this course with knowledge of analog, fabric-based print production and mixed media collage assembly. Join us as we explore the rich connections found within printmaking, collage, and fiber arts! All skill levels welcome.

All Adult Classes

Accessibility – Please email [email protected] regarding any accessibility needs prior to enrolling so we can assess if we are able to accommodate you safely and efficiently.

Friends of Kala Members receive 10% off classes and workshops. Learn more here. 

Scholarship tiers are available for all classes. Learn more about scholarships and assistance.

More News... In Brief

Monday, May 12 from 3 - 5 pm at Kala Studio (1060 Heinz Ave - see the top of this newsletter for studio access details) meet artists from the Legacy Print Council and check out their works in progress. 

Opening reception: Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined, San Francisco Center for the Book, Friday May 9th, 6-8pm; remarks at 7pm

Berkeley Ballet Theater is offering FREE ballet classes for boys and male-identifying youth ages 7-13. June 10, July 10 & August 10. Find out more here.

MFA Artists’ Talk, Hear from the 2025 graduates of UC Berkeley’s Master of Fine Arts program, Friday, May 16, 5:30 PM at BAMPFA

Connect With Us!

Join or renew your Friends of Kala membership and receive 10% off all art classes and workshops and more!

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Kala's annual fund to support Kala's mission and work!

Follow Kala?s new IG account, @kalagallery_berkeley, to see work from Kala?s gallery and art sales program.