HISTORY OF ISLAND ALLIANCE OF THE ARTS

Island Alliance of the Arts has provided art events in Alameda for over 25 years. Shirley Johnson and friends formed
IAA as a non-profit corporation in 1982. They provided many services for Alameda, including a Directory of the Arts &
Artists.

In 1997, after a project in vacant Alameda retail windows called “Windows on Art”, Bonnie Boller, Bonnie McKean and
Peter Sanderson had a vision of creating an Art Center for the City of Alameda, as a non-profit organization. A business
plan was established and office space was used in the Veteran's Building owned by the City of Alameda for a few years.

In 2004, Alameda Art Center was opened at 1701 Webster Street in Alameda, CA. AAC offered Fine Art Exhibitions, Art
Classes & Workshops, Studio Space, Special Events and a Fine Art Gift Shop. The art center was sponsored by the
Alameda Art Association and Island Alliance of the Arts was incorporated as the non-profit organization that was
needed. The Center closed in 2006, due to lack of funding.

In 2007, Bonnie Randall Boller, Peter Sanderson & Melissa Harmon formed a new Board of Directors for Island Alliance
of the Arts and once again update the non-profit status. The first event was an art exhibit at the Alameda Museum in
October 2008. This successful exhibit was called CROSS CURRENTS, Artists of Alameda.

IAA has also received an Alameda County ARTSFUND Grant that was used to sponsor some IAA CROSS CURRENTS,
Artists of Alameda County. The 2008 Countywide Exhibit, was held in August 2008, at the new Rhythmix Cultural Works
K Gallery in Alameda, CA. IAA CROSS CURRENTS, Season of Awareness, County-Wide Exhibit was held at Alameda Free
Library in August 2009. In 2010 through 2015, IAA CROSS CURRENTS has held annual Exhibitions of California Artists at
the Alameda Museum. The event was expanded to include artists from throughout California. Some participants give
Artist Talks about their artwork during the exhibits, The Opening Receptions are widely attended with live music and
refreshments.

ISLAND ALLIANCE OF THE ARTS has been
supported, in part, by a grant from the
Alameda County Arts Commission.

501(C)3 . Non-profit
.510-865-0541.

iaa island alliance of the arts .org
sponsor of 'cross currents' exhibits

EMAIL:
islandallianceofthearts@gmail.com