Dublin Arts Collective Welcomes Marc Casad As New Chair Of The Art Circuit

The Dublin Arts Collective (DAC) has announced that Bay Area artist Marc Casad has assumed leadership of the DAC Art Circuit as its new Chair. Bringing decades of artistic exploration to the role, Marc's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for this community arts program.

The Art Circuit is a local initiative launched by the DAC that partners with businesses to showcase and rotate original artwork and was previously chaired by artist Buffy Davis. The program transforms ordinary spaces like offices, restaurants and co-working areas into temporary galleries.

As Chair, Marc envisions the Art Circuit as a welcoming space where artists at every stage of their journey can connect, share ideas, learn from one another, and engage with the broader community. Supporting Marc in this endeavor is a dedicated team of artists and volunteers, including Rachel Maple, May Yin Giang, and Katherine Giang, whose passion for fostering artistic connection and community engagement will help strengthen and expand the Art Circuit's impact.

For Marc, art has always been about creation, exploration, and continuous growth. After moving from the Pacific Northwest to the San Francisco Bay Area, he found himself captivated by the region's unique light, atmosphere, and energy—an experience that inspired a lifelong commitment to painting. Over the years, he has embraced a wide range of mediums and styles, from realism and Impressionism to Fauvism and abstraction, always challenging himself to move beyond his comfort zone in pursuit of artistic growth.

That philosophy of exploration was on full display during a recent Art Circuit rotation, where Marc shared insights from some of the artists and mentors who have influenced his work, including landscape painter Kathleen Dunphy and artist Charles Muench. The rotation for “Abstract Figures” included three locations namely KeyPoint Credit Union, the Dublin San Ramon Water Services District, and the Dublin branch of the Alameda County Library.

Marc discussed his approach to painting, which emphasizes the importance of composition, design, harmony, and the interaction of visual elements. He explained how successful paintings begin long before the brush touches the canvas, with careful attention to how shapes, values, and relationships guide the viewer's eye and create an emotional connection.

The high demand for Marc's artwork at the recent Tri-Valley Artist Open Studio Tour (TVAST) is evidence of his artistic success. Drawing on lessons inspired by Dunphy, Marc outlined a practical five-step framework that artists can use to strengthen their work:

* Design First – Before considering details, identify the strongest design and filter out anything that doesn't support it.

* Value Structure – Establish the "bones" of the painting through clear value relationships that create depth and visual strength.

* Color – Explore color with intention

*Edges Matter – Use soft, loose, and varied edges to create movement, atmosphere, and focal points.

* Overall Look and Feel – Step back and evaluate the painting, ensuring every element contributes to the desired emotional experience.

Perhaps the most insightful lesson Marc shared was that the feeling of a painting influences its design as much as the design influences the feeling. The emotional response experienced by the viewer becomes the starting point for artistic decisions, guiding everything from composition and color choices to brushwork and finishing touches.

This thoughtful approach reflects the spirit Marc hopes to bring to the Art Circuit—a program that not only showcases artwork but also encourages artistic learning, collaboration, and creative discovery.

Together with his team, Marc looks forward to creating new opportunities for artists to exhibit, grow, and inspire.