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Uptown Art Park opens in Oakland

on April 10, 2013

After months of preparation, the City of Oakland celebrated the opening of its temporary gallery space surrounding the vacant lot off of Telegraph Avenue during last Friday’s Art Murmur. The Uptown Art Park, sandwiched between the Fox Theater and The Uptown apartments, was created using a $200,000 matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The park features work from five artists including well-known West Oakland steel artist Karen Cusolito, and an innovative collaboration between Berkeley artist Michael Christian and 12 young women from seven different Oakland high schools.

Nine sculptures of various heights and materials line the sidewalks of Telegraph Avenue and 19th Street, providing a place for thoughtful strolls on a sunny afternoon. An inner fence lined with a blue fabric wrap remains around the majority of the vacant lot, which will eventually be developed. For now, Oaklanders are encouraged to enjoy the stark shapes and intriguing statements crafted by some of the Bay Area’s most creative minds.

For a recap on the development of the Uptown Art Park, read Vanessa Rancaño’s story here.

2 Comments

  1. local loudmouth on April 12, 2013 at 10:51 am

    Where are the homeless people?



  2. William Jessie on October 31, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    ..i am a resident of Oakland…now..just moved to the West..Oaklands Art and Diversity is thye key to Her success…what a great way to inspire our youth to be artists and sculptors….painters…visionaries…we need more…



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