
Views of Democracy
Gratitude and Hope for the Future
The country needs an informed and engaged citizenry now, more than ever.
Views of Democracy: Gratitude and Hope for the Future celebrates democracy through the eyes of visual artists. Visitors will enjoy the breadth and diversity of the work–from video to sculpture and from painting to photography, textile art and mixed media. Accompanying artists’ statements, are both personal and universal and encourage reflection on democracy and citizenship.
Presented by Citizen Joy. Curated by Jeff Raz and Barbara Kibbe.
Curator’s Statement
Views of Democracy is the culmination of more than a year of work to identify and curate a visual art exhibition that celebrates democracy. Conceptualized during 2024, most of the planning for Views of Democracy took place during an election year. We knew that – regardless of the outcome in November – our country needs an informed and engaged citizenry.
Our goal was to encourage a deeper collective commitment to learn about and participate in our democratic system, shining a light on what we have to be grateful for as well as the work to be done. We were impressed by the breadth and diversity of the work submitted, and inspired by the artists’ statements, which are both personal and universal. The statements and the art give gallery visitors an opportunity to reflect on their own experience and views of democracy.
In Views of Democracy, you will see a wide range of media and technique, from video to sculpture and from painting to photography, textile art and mixed media. Some of the works are representational, others are fantastical; some are abstract, others include narrative. Several pieces in the show reference traditional symbols of America, some honor public institutions and some focus specifically on joy. Joy and art can be acts of resistance.
About Citizen Joy
Citizen Joy is a national coalition of artists, arts organizations and educators from all disciplines that are using art to cut through the doom and gloom about politics, explore what we have (and could lose) as citizens, and energize people to do what they can to protect democratic rights and freedoms (like voting!).
About the Curator
Jeff Raz has performed nationally and internationally and co-founded five arts organizations, including Citizen Joy. He has also written four books and twenty plays, directed dozens of theater and circus productions, and worked globally as a communications consultant. Views of Democracy is the first art exhibit that Jeff has helped create.
Artwork Credit: Kevin Daniels, “The Rights and Rites of Protest”, 2024.
2021 Virtual Galleries
July 3, 2021
Performance, Art & Learning Gallery – Spring 2021
April 16, 2021
February 5, 2021
2020 Virtual Galleries
Keep on Sketchin’ SIP-N-Sketch
December 4, 2020
November 14, 2020
November 7, 2020
The Breakfast Group – Virtually in Alameda
September 12, 2020
July 18, 2020
May 8, 2020
About the K Gallery
The K Gallery at Rhythmix Cultural Works supports RCW’s mission to bring people together and build community by inspiring engagement in the arts. Exhibitions in the K Gallery reflect the vitality of local artists in the Bay Area community. K Gallery was chosen BEST art gallery in Alameda, by an Alameda Magazine ballot in 2016.
K Gallery presents six visual art exhibitions annually and a weekly Art Jam, where local artists create in a shared studio environment. (pre-covid19). During this time, K Gallery continues to support artists by providing a virtual gallery of exhibitions and receptions.
K Gallery is named for Kazuko (Kay) Koike, one of Rhythmix’s founding donors.
“Kazu” is the Japanese word for “peace,” “ko” means “child ”.
Kazuko Koike, child of peace 1919-2020.
In the Media
Alameda Post, May 9, 2023. Student Artwork on Display at Rhythmix. By Adam Gillitt.
Alameda Sun, August 18, 2021. Meet Cameraman, Cameradog. By Sun Staff Reports.
Daily Republic, June 27, 2021. Exhibit features life-size sculpture made from cameras. By Daily Republic Syndicated Content.
The Styrous Viewfinder, May 17, 2021. K Gallery – Mother Tree Opening Reception. By Styrous.
Los Angeles Times, February 11, 2020. With canvas and Quran, one artist aims to make Islamic calligraphy a universal language. By Kimberly Winston.
The Styrous Viewfinder, May 4, 2019. Mother @ the K Gallery. By Styrous.
SF Chronicle, May 6, 2018. Explore the Island City through lively events. By Jeanne Cooper.
Alameda Magazine, October 2017. The Fine Art of Flotsam. By Anneli Star Josselin Rufus.
Alameda Sun, February 23, 2017. Last Chance to Take in Coupled: The Art of Love. By Van Le.