Craftform

Focuses on the Bay Area Figurative and Abstract Expressionism traditions, as well as the Funk Movement. A primary objective of the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts is to develop and maintain a nonprofit art research library and study center, unique in its regional emphasis. The focus of its slide library and artist's registry is on lesser-known or under-recognized artists of California and the Pacific Northwest. A major activity of the Center is the production of cultural meetings, conferences and public activities. By hosting visual, language and music events, the Center encourages the exchange of artistic perspectives. With expanded facilities, the Center plans to show one-of-a-kind independent films and many other scheduled events.John Natsoulas Press is the only publisher focusing on California artists and those of Northern California in particular. Over the last fifteen years, the publishing operation has accumulated one of the most formidable archives of its kind. John Natsoulas Press has published histories of the seminal San Francisco galleries from the late 40s to the early 60s and has exhibited their works. The press has an active publishing program, printing retrospectives on Robert Arneson, Roy DeForest, Hassel Smith, David Gilhooly, and many others. John Natsoulas Press also supports children's art education and it produced the award winning Island of Dogmore.The new center will produce many more regional and national conferences covering specialized areas in art and culture. One event produced by John Natsoulas, the annual California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art is the most important ceramic sculpture meeting in the US.