Schoolchildren critiquing artists’ works at the Emeryville Art Exhibition
Artist: M. Louise Stanley Photo: John W. Lund 2012

As you enter the 7500 sq. ft. space at 5699 Bay Street the evening of Fri., Oct. 4, you will be immersed in the color, texture and high energy of the 27th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition. The opening reception from 6 to 9 pm features a meet ‘n greet with the artists, food donations by Emeryville signature businesses, live music and a no-host bar. Fountains of creativity will be spilling over the Bay Street space, which is a natural gathering place for the community to celebrate its vibrant art culture. The 27th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition is a “uniquely Emeryville community event,” featuring works of eighty established and emerging artists who live or work in Emeryville and produced by Emeryville residents and businesses.

A jury of art professionals selected the collection of artwork for the 27th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition through artist studio visits. According to Kathleen Hanna, curator and juror, “My third consecutive year of studio visits was amazing. New artists, great new work from artists I had met the previous years and an overall feeling of community involvement and anticipation of this wonderful event that brings together the entire town to celebrate art.” The other jurors are René de Guzman, Senior Curator of Art, Oakland Museum of California, and Sandy Simon, potter, owner of TRAX Gallery, Berkeley.

Sharon WIlchar has produced the Art Exhibition for 25 years with a team of dedicated volunteers. “Volunteers and artists make the Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition happen. I am grateful. Our volunteers have been so generous year after year.  Ellen Hope Rosenberg, proprietress of the Townhouse Bar & Grill, hosts the volunteer Kick-Off party each year and our Board of Directors host the Volunteer Thank You Party when the exhibition closes.  Albert Repola, Ruby*s Cafe and Jean Goldman, SunPower Corp., are our over-the-top reception coordinators. And you can catch up with Mayor Kurt Brinkman, as he will be heading up the no-host bar to raise funds for the Emeryville Youth Art Program, which has been bringing artists into the Emery Unified School District now for three decades.”

On exhibit this year: “a mile in his shoes”, Yvette Buigues, multimedia, 34”x64”x1.5”, 2013

Mayor Brinkman adds,”The  Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition is about creating a sense of community for the residents of this amazing city.  For twenty years as the event bartender, I have seen how art stimulates and develops community through an environment of creativity, conversation and appreciation for the talent of the Emeryville artists. So, please join us at the annual Celebration of the Arts event at Bay Street and become part of the Emeryville community.”

Madison Marquette generously donated this year’s exciting Bay Street location.  Additional sponsors include the City of Emeryville through a substantial grant, the non-profit Emeryville Celebration of the Arts, City Center Realty Partners, LLC, Wareham Development, Pixar, Kava Massih Architects, Thomson|Dorfman Partners, LLC, AAA Northern CA, NV & UT and Ruby*s Cafe.

The Exhibition is on display Oct. 5 through Oct. 27, 2013, and the show is open daily from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free and works on exhibit are for sale. Public Transportation: MacArthur BART station, Emery-Go-Round Shellmound-Powell Route; AC Transit bus #26, and Transbay commuter route Z from San Francisco. For directions, log on to: www.emeryarts.org or call 510/652-6122.

5699 Bay Street is right across from The GAP on the far northwest corner of Bay Street. See you there!