Saturday, December 31, 2022

Happy New Year!

We wish you renewed spirits, creativity and love in 2023!

Thank you for your support the last ten years!
We appreciate our loyal art lovers and followers and are grateful to the many artists who have believed in us over the years.

We believe that art is an essential component in our lives, and we appreciate your support in our efforts to nurture and promote this in our community.

Please visit our website and Instagram and contact us if you are interested in purchasing work from our exhibits.

As you may know, the gallery is a non-commercial venue with a very slim budget.
If you would like to make a donation towards future exhibits, please click here.

Thank you for your support!

With gratitude and love,
Jan

Highlights of our 2022 exhibits are below.
 
 
10th Anniversary Love ShowFebruary 12 - March 19, 2022The 10th Anniversary Love Show celebrated the work of Bay Area artists who have been vital supporters and enthusiasts of the gallery the last 10 years. The exhibit featured photography, paintings hand-blown glass and sculpture that explore the universal language of love. This was a visual dialogue about love in many interpretations - from literal depictions, allegory, and metaphor.  Many of the pieces were created specifically for the show.





Art of the African DiasporaApril 9 - May 14, 2022Art of the African Diaspora is the longest running event of its kind in the Bay Area, this year showcasing over 150 artists of African descent.   Gray Loft Gallery curated this satellite exhibition that featured seven artists, all living and working in Oakland and the Bay Area.Participating Artists: Kelvin Curry, Gene Dominique, Raymond L. Haywood, Dulama LeGrande, Arthur Norcome, Alyssa Pickens, Ron Moultrie Saunders





Night VisionJuly 30 – September 3, 2022Night Vision was curated by Isaac Jasper Amala. What happens when we can see with night vision?  Night Vision included the work of nine artists whose diverse practices tune into subtle and fugitive wavelengths - revealing glimpses of the tender, haunting, kaleidoscopic, sensual, and expansive worlds hidden within us and around us.  On display were painting, sculpture and mixed media works utilizing braided textile, collage, ceramic, driftwood, jellyfish, painting, and works on paper. 





Jingletown OriginalsSeptember 24 - October 29, 2022History, Inspiration and Community...This group show featured artists who have lived and created art in the first live/work building in Jingletown (2889 Ford Street) and honored the rich artistic history of this community of artists that spans almost four decades.Please check out  Art About Town, a blog that featured Jingletown Originals exhibit and the history of Jingletown.  Written by Mills College professor, historian and author Mario Hernandez.  
 




Shades of Gray10th Anniversary Photography ExhibitOn view until January 21This group photo show celebrates gray neutrals, sophisticated deep charcoal gray images, glimmers of gray in a color landscapes and beautiful mid-tones of perfect gelatin silver prints.  Mixed media, alternative processes, color imagery and traditional black and white photographs are on display.We are delighted with the wonderful review of the show by Malcolm Ryder.Click here to read it.Join us for the Closing Reception on Saturday, January 21: 3:00 - 6:30 pm





Upcoming Exhibits and OpportunitiesArt of the African DiasporaFebruary 11 - March 11, 2023Depictions - A group show of portrait based workApril - May, 2023Exhibit OpportunitiesWe are accepting proposals for shows in the gallery in 2023.
Please contact us for additional information about curating your own show in the gallery.
 




Please check out our Instagram page and website for more examples of our exhibits this last year.




ABOUT  GRAY  LOFT  GALLERY 
Gray Loft Gallery has promoted the rich art culture of Jingletown and the greater Bay Area since 2012. The gallery has been referred to as a hidden gem in Jingletown, and noted by the late Kenneth Baker, former SF Chronicle Art Critic, in his Visual Arts Don’t Miss Column as “…A space gaining prominence in the Bay Area…”   The mission of the gallery is to provide exhibition opportunities for artists in a setting that is an alternative to the traditional gallery model. We hope to inspire, engage and celebrate artists in our community and beyond.  We acknowledge the achievements of emerging, mid-career and established artists – with an emphasis on those who live and work in the Bay Area – in a non-traditional art space. A number of artists began their art career at Gray Loft Gallery. “I have always enjoyed this gallery, superb atmosphere and lighting. The polished and worn hardwood floors creek slightly in places as you climb to the third floor, providing a granular and unique, organic aesthetic. This is a do-not-miss venue in the East Bay.”  –  Facebook ReviewGray Loft Gallery has received "Best Art Gallery" in the Oakland Magazine's Readers Choice Award in 2016, 2017, 2021 and voted one of five top art galleries in 2022. 


  

   



Our mailing address is:Gray Loft Gallery
2889 Ford Street, third floor
Oakland, CA 94601



















Monday, December 5, 2022

Shades of Gray Opens December 10

Save the date and join us for 2nd Saturday in Jingletown!




Shades of Gray
10th Anniversary Photography Exhibit
Saturday, December 10 – Saturday, January 21, 2023

 
In the final celebration of our 10th anniversary year, we are delighted to present SHADES OF GRAY, a group photo exhibit selected by Ann Jastrab, executive director of Center for Photographic Art and Jan Watten, founder of Gray Loft Gallery.  On display will be a dynamic group photography show with an amazing array of elegant, cool and mysterious examples of the color gray.  Photographs in cool neutrals, sophisticated deep charcoal gray images, glimmers of gray in a color landscapes and beautiful mid-tones of perfect gelatin silver prints.  

Mixed media, alternative processes, color imagery and traditional black and white photographs will be on view.
 
Please check out our Instagram page and website for more examples of photographs in the show.

 
Opening Reception, Saturday, December 10, 4:00 – 6:30 pm  

Gallery hours:
Saturday, Dec. 17: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Fridays and Sundays - email us to make an appointment
Closed from December 24 to January 5
Saturday, January 7 and 14: 1:00- 5:00
Closing Reception - Saturday, January 21: 3:00 - 6:30 pm






Also on display will be hand wrought granite jewelry and photo cuffs created specifically for our gray themed show by Dorie Meister.  Photo cuffs are a collaboration of Dorie  Meister and Jenny Sampson's tin type photos.


  






History, Inspiration and Community...
If you missed this group show that featured artists who lived and created art in the first live/work building in Jingletown, please check out posts Instagram which showcases the artists in the exhibit and read about their experiences of living and working in our building that spans almost 4 decades.

You can also read about it in the Art About Town blog mentioned below.


ART  ABOUT  TOWN!
Please check out the first edition of Art About Town, a new blog published by the Oakland Art Murmur written by Mills College professor, historian and author Mario Hernandez.  We were thrilled to be featured in the inaugural story about the art and artists of Oakland.  In this thoughtfully crafted article you will learn about the history of Jingletown and the artists who created the first live/work studio building in the neighborhood - who are featured in this exhibition.
Thank you Mario and Oakland Art Murmur!




ABOUT  GRAY  LOFT  GALLERY
 
Gray Loft Gallery has promoted the rich art culture of Jingletown and the greater Bay Area for 10 years. The gallery has been referred to as a hidden gem in Jingletown, and noted by the late Kenneth Baker, former SF Chronicle Art Critic, in his Visual Arts Don’t Miss Column as “…A space gaining prominence in the Bay Area…”   The mission of the gallery is to provide exhibition opportunities for artists in a setting that is an alternative to the traditional gallery model. We hope to inspire, engage and celebrate artists in our community and beyond.  We acknowledge the achievements of emerging, mid-career and established artists – with an emphasis on those who live and work in the Bay Area – in a non-traditional art space. A number of artists began their art career at Gray Loft Gallery.
 
“I have always enjoyed this gallery, superb atmosphere and lighting. The polished and worn hardwood floors creek slightly in places as you climb to the third floor, providing a granular and unique, organic aesthetic. This is a do-not-miss venue in the East Bay.”  –  Facebook Review

Gray Loft Gallery has received "Best Art Gallery" in the Oakland Magazine's Readers Choice Award in 2016, 2017, 2021 and voted one of five top art galleries in 2022.


Open Studios Hours:  Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 - 5:00 pm




   



  



Our mailing address is:
Gray Loft Gallery
2889 Ford Street, third floor
Oakland, CA 94601