Category Archives: WHERE

“To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it.” ~ MLK Jr.

September 1, 2009

IMG_0428This gorgeous and profound mural is located on Lakeshore avenue under the 580 overpass.  It’s nestled between my favorite movie theater (The Grand Lake Theater, which never shows commercials and still hosts it’s wurlitzer organist on Friday and Saturday nights) and my favorite farmers market, the incredible Grand Lake Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.

I was unable to find any history on the mural other than the painted inscription which states it was painted by Susan Greene, Meera Desai, students from Westlake Junior Highschool, members of Project YES and the East Bay Conservation Corps, with funding from the California Department of Conservation, EBRPD, and a MLK Jr. Grant.

If anyone has more information, please send me a comment.

Welcome to my first post… WOO HOO!

My goal is to highlight all of the amazing public art that exists in the incredible city of Oakland, California (aka ‘Oaktown’ – my hometown).  One piece of art per day.  Every day.  If possible.

Here’s my first… Suits & Soldiers

oaktownart_20090901

oaktownart_20090901_dtlOk… so technically, this mural exists in Emeryville (corner of Adeline & San Pablo) which I’m sure seems a strange choice for my first post about Oakland art.  But I choose this piece as my starting point for three reasons:

  1. It is literally a stone’s throw from the Oakland border. Close enough in my book…
  2. It’s simply awesome.  I love it!  Reminiscent of the work of the unbelievably talented Bansky.
  3. You won’t be able to see it much longer.  The adjacent lot is currently under construction (note bulldozer) and will soon be filled by a new Lanesplitter’s Pizza, which I guess won’t be a horrible addition to the neighborhood, but I will miss this mural.  Go see it now while you have the chance!

The artist is Matt Reynoso… 1/2 of the talented artistic duo behind the Compound Studios & Gallery, a studio and gallery space for over 20 working artists in Oakland.  They’re doing neat stuff.  Check ’em out.

Oakland is COOL.