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Members of ISLAND ALLIANCE OF THE ARTS have had a dream of promoting the arts in Alameda for over 20 years. Shirley
Johnson and friends started by forming iaa in 1982 as a non-profit corporation. This segment of iaa lasted until Shirley passed
in 1996. They provided many services for Alameda, including a Directory of the Arts and Artists.
In 1997, after a project in vacant Alameda retail windows called WINDOWS ON ART, Bonnie Randall Boller, Bonnie McKean and
Peter Sanderson renewed the iaa vision. After investigation, it was discovered that the ISLAND ALLIANCE OF THE ARTS could
be re-established as a non-profit organization. This segment of iaa continued until 1999. A business plan was created and the
group applied for a grant from the City of Alameda, which did not come to fruition. iaa sought to rent office space from the City in
the Veteran’s Building. However, without receiving a grant, funds were limited and the group went dormant once again.
A new art center, ALAMEDA ART CENTER, was opened in May of 2004 at 1701 Webster Street in Alameda, CA. AAC offered Fine
Art Exhibitions, Art Classes and Workshops, Studio Space, Special Events and a Fine Art Gift Shop. Bonnie Randall Boller and
Pat Colburn were the organizational founders of this art center and it was financially sponsored by the Alameda Art Association.
Lisah Horner was hired as the Executive Director of AAC. Bonnie Randall Boller again reopened the non-profit status of iaa for
the art center to use as non-profit status while renting from the City of Alameda. Although the center was a success for the
participating artists and greatly enjoyed by the community, the Center had to close on Webster Street in 2006, due to lack of
funding.
In 2007, Bonnie Randall Boller, Peter Sanderson and Melissa Harmon formed a new Board of Directors for ISLAND ALLIANCE OF
THE ARTS and once again updated the non-profit status. Their first event was an art exhibit at the Alameda Museum in October
2007. This successful exhibit was called CROSS CURRENTS, Artists of Alameda, 2007 Citywide Exhibit.
iaa has also received an Alameda County ARTSFUND Grant that will be used to sponsor a CROSS CURRENTS, Artists of
Alameda County, 2008 Countywide Exhibit, was held in August 2008, at the new Rhythmix Cultural Works K Gallery in
Alameda, CA. CROSS CURRENTS, Season of Awareness, County-Wide Exhibit was held at Alameda Fredd Library in
August 2009. In July 2010, CROSS CURRENTS . 4th Annual Exhibition of California Artists will be held at the Alameda
Museum.
ISLAND ALLIANCE OF THE ARTS was
supported, in part, by a grant from the
Alameda County Arts Commission in
2008-2009.
| Copyright© 2010 Island Alliance of the Arts - All Rights Reserved Web Site Design: Bonnie Randall Boller |
| iaa island alliance of the arts .org sponsor of 'cross currents' exhibits |
| Founded 1982 501(C)3 . Non-profit .510-865-0541. |