STAFF PICK
& The Others
Last year, a group of friends got together and founded & The Others, a community-based art collective centered around creative growth and meaning. The group consists of Bay Area visual artists and photographers, including Andrew Kodama and Tessa Shimizu, whose craft reflects what the world looks like to them. Their Instagram boasts a combination of conceptual photos — mostly taken on 35mm film — that might be double-exposed on purpose to show an image of a hand fading into a woman holding her face. The artists are unafraid to express their visions, which often play with overlapping shadows, an abundance of lines, intriguing framing, super vibrant colors (or a complete lack thereof when it’s black and white), and modern day perspectives, such as an empty Henny bottle in the middle of the street next to an empty carafe with either a cross or double-edge sword. Now, on Jan. 4, & The Others, their first exhibition ever, will open at Classic Cars West. — Amyra Soriano
Friday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m., free, 411 26th St., Oakland, ClassicCarsWest.com
Art Galleries
And The Others: Striking analog photography, immersive film projections, and non-standard printing techniques by seven artists. Opening reception on Friday, Jan. 4, from 6 to10 p.m.., Jan. 4-Feb. 24, 6 to 10 p.m., free, Classic Cars West, 411 26th St., Oakland, ClassicCarsWest.com.
Loop Melody: United by a mutual appreciation for rhythm, color, and pattern, artists Alexander Kori Girard and Rachel Kaye spiral off into their own personal explorations of hidden symbols and frenetic motion. Art murmur reception on Friday, Jan. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., Through Jan. 4, free, Johansson Projects, 2300 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, JohanssonProjects.com.
Of Method and Material: An exhibition showcasing the unique materials and artistic practices of three mixed-media artists. Opening reception with remarks from the artists on Friday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 4-Feb. 23, free, SLATE contemporary, 473 25th St., Oakland, SlateArt.net.
About Face: Installation by Marsha Balian and Deborah Benioff Friedman. Through Jan. 5, free. GearBox Gallery, 770 West Grand Ave., Oakland, GearBoxGallery.com.
Attention People! Look What Amazes You Before Your Eyes: Creative Growth’s holiday exhibition, a chance to marvel at the beauty, humor, and creativity that gives us reasons to celebrate. Through Jan. 18, free. Creative Growth Art Center, 355 24th St., Oakland, CreativeGrowth.org.
Continuity: The latest series of paintings and drawings from Shannon Hood contemplating the “parallels of an evolving environment with the growth cycles she observes personally and in nature.” Through Jan. 6, free. Gallery at the Werkshack, 481 25th St., Oakland, Werkshack.com.
Desire Humor and Outrage: A solo exhibition of Irene Dogmatic’s paintings, which deal with her emotion and perception of the world and politics. Through Jan. 3, free. Pro Arts Gallery, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, ProArtsGallery.org.
Eight at the Fourth: Featuring work by artists Marlene Angeja, Susan Aulik, Alison OK Frost, Jennifer Hynes, Roz Ritter, Livia Stein, Cate White, and Heather Wilcox. Through Jan. 12, free. The Fourth Wall Art Gallery, 473 25th St., Oakland.
HP and Me: Bay Area illustrator Jason Filler exhibits work tied to the world of HP Lovecraft. Opening reception on Friday, Jan. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m., first Friday of every month. Continues through Jan. 22, free. Art@Archer, 431 13th St., Oakland.
Neon Legends: The second invitational exhibition of Neon Art from the best neon artists on the West Coast. Through Mar. 2, free. Transmission Gallery, 770 West Grand Ave., Oakland, TheTransmissionGallery.com.
ReGeneration: An exhibition of Bay Area artworks produced in residence by Autumn Bree, Kate Godfrey, Constance Moore, Stephanie Potter Corwin, Tracey Rolandelli, and Noga Wizansky. Through Feb. 16, free. ArtVale Gallery, 3463 Champion St., Oakland, ArtValeGallery.com.
THE SAME just different: Paintings by Jules Campbell and sculpture by Jerry Leisure. Campbell paints wood panels, adding layers of debris and then sanding them back, inspired by the girt and texture of Oakland streets. Leisure, meanwhile, sculpts using a variety of different woods and a hefty dose of whimsy. About Face: The installation in the gallery’s inner room comes from artists Marsha Balian and Deborah Benioff Friedman. Through Jan. 5, free. GearBox Gallery, 770 West Grand Ave., Oakland, GearBoxGallery.com.
Shadows & Light: Oakland artist Kelly Ording uses intuition and intention to question the limits of minimalism and representation. Her works feature simple, repetitive geometric patterns and mathematical markings that manage to evoke representation. Through Jan. 26, free. Local Language, 477 25th St., Oakland, LocalLanguageArt.com.
We Are One Heart: A series of paintings by S. Newman portraying a selection of subjects that show the common denominators between people, offering a synopsis of familiar experiences translated into paintings. Jan. 3-Feb. 5, free. EBMUD, 375 11th St., Oakland.
Attractions
Oakland First Fridays: An immersive art and community experience with galleries, artist collectives, street artists, local culinary artisans, performers, musicians, dancers, DJs, and poets gathering. First Friday of every month, 5-9 p.m. Telegraph Avenue from W. Grand to 27th Street, Oakland.
Saturday Stroll: A weekly component to Art Murmur, but with fewer festivities and more focus on the galleries. Visit OaklandArtMurmur.org for a full list of participating Oakland galleries. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m., free. Uptown District, 19th St. at Telegraph Ave., Oakland.
Culinary & Wine
First Fridays Community Potluck: Once a month ArtVale invites the community to come on out and break bread with one another. Bring friends, family, and food to share. Stay for a small drawing session. First Friday of every month, 6-9 p.m., free. ArtVale Gallery, 3463 Champion St., Oakland, ArtValeGallery.com.
Fairs, Festivals, & Fiestas
Friday Nights @ OMCA!: Jam to live music, get crafty at drop-in art workshops, and join local foodies for a variety of demos and tastings. Gallery admission is half-price for adults and free for ages 18 and under. Fridays, 5-10 p.m., free. Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland, MuseumCA.org.
Live Variety
First Friday Follies: Burlesque performances, with MC JUICY D. Light and music by Elegant Trash. First Friday of every month, free. Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, StorkClubOakland.com.
Hoodslam: Monthly underground wrestling event for the 21+ crowd. First Friday of every month, 9 p.m., $20. Oakland Metro Operahouse, 522 2nd St., Oakland, OaklandMetro.org.
Museums
$5 First Friday at Chabot: Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages. Join us each month for hands-on activities and live demonstrations that are fun for the whole family. Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, ChabotSpace.org.
