Take BART to Oakland's Art and Soul Festival
The 8th Annual Art & Soul Festival over Labor Day weekend will highlight Oakland's vibrant arts scene -- and it's easily accessible from the Oakland City Center/12th Street BART Station.
The festival will feature art-making activities for people of all ages and abilities. In partnership with the Oakland Art Gallery, an eight-year Art & Soul tradition continues as budding artists are invited to grab a brush and practice their painting skills on the community mural project.
Located on Jefferson Street between 12th and 14th streets, the mural project is guided by gifted Oakland artist Fred Alvarado. Since graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2002, Alvarado has chosen to be involved with collaborative community mural painting. His work explores popular media as a form of empowerment through visual presence.
Other participatory art projects include interactive art installations coordinated by Pro Arts. Join Susan Wolf as she creates 10’ x 10’ woven paper pavilions that serve both as works of art and as functional shade.
Artist team marksearch invite the public to dig into Project 10,000 Steps to explore their relationship with urban green space and learn about stewardship activities. Equipped with native flowers, a fold-down park bench and a robust knowledge of the historic downtown Oakland parks, marksearch will be present and teaching all three days.
Artists from the Crucible will demonstrate the blend of fine and industrial arts that has made that educational facility a recognized leader in creative expression. Crucible staff will demonstrate foundry, glass blowing and welding while onsite Saturday.
The festival also features music including Jazz, Rock, Blues, Latin, Alternative, R&B, Gospel, World, Folk, Country, African and more. Previously announced headliners at the 8th Annual Comcast Art & Soul Oakland include The Matches, Indigo Girls, and Stephanie Mills. For the complete musical lineup and details on the art installations, visit www.ArtandSoulOakland.com.
The festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30; Sunday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 1. Centered around Frank Ogawa Plaza and City Center, the event encompasses 10 blocks in downtown Oakland. Admission is $10 adults, $5 for seniors and youth 13-18 and free for kids 12 and under.