Explore Fine Art and Crafts showing in Jack London Square's Market Hall

Over 50 local, established and emerging artists, working in a wide variety of mediums, will exhibit at the expansive Market Hall building, 55 Harrison Street, the first two weekends in June 2015, in Jack London Square, Oakland. End Quote

It is more than an art show-it is a convenient one stop inspirational experience that I look forward to each year, right here in Oakland - Paula Lewis

Oakland, CA (1888PressRelease) May 31, 2015 - Explore and purchase the works of over 50 local, established and emerging artists in ProArts 2015 East Bay Open Studios, the largest one-stop group exhibit.

Market Hall is transformed into an art lover's paradise. Runs June 6, 7, 13, 14, 11 am - 6 pm. 55 Harrison Street, Oakland, California.

Market Hall Artists Pro Arts Open Studios event in Jack London Square is more than an art exhibit, it's a community builder, using visual expression as the medium. In its 5th year, it is the largest one stop art venue of the greater Pro Arts exhibits, with over 50 well-established and emerging artists showing their artwork. With its mix of diverse, engaging art, visitors will see an occasional chair or sofa in the artist's booths, creating a comfortable, 'art village' like setting, where one can stroll, sit, view and buy art. Kerrie Powsa, exhibit lead for the group and artist, suggests the artists consider seating for their spaces. "I include a sofa each year in my space, so my visitors can view my art, relax and really get into my space. It seems to work, as they really do that after a stroll through the hall."

The venue has created a community building effect, where visitors and artists network, chat it up with each other and learn about techniques and even brainstorm new ideas. "It's more than an art show - it's a convenient one stop inspirational experience that I look forward to each year, right here in Oakland. It reflects another great thing about Oakland, a positive example of our great diversity, this time with our art", cites a Paula Lewis, a local resident and long time supporter.

The exhibit is rich with all types of artist's work, and stories of inspiration and early starts in the art arena. George Kaplan, a photographer and artist, reflects on inspiration: "My work reflects a love of visual and intellectual space - a dynamic tension between my artist and scientist self-- private art classes as a second grader, then studied and researched visual perception as an academic, then left academia and was early proponent of abstract uses of video (decades before you could do it with your phone!)."

Shara Hannah Shadowspeaker, a mixed media artist, recalls her early inspirational experience. "I was in third grade and working on a still life drawing. I remember the charcoal on paper and a sense of thrill in my whole being when I experienced the flowing sandpaper sound of charcoal on paper, the soot on my fingertips, the pre-verbal connection I felt with the flowers we were sketching; it all felt so magical and alive!" Visitors and fellow artists share those special moments.

The fine art buying process can take time and involves a bit of relationship building with the artist. The Market Hall venue provides a comfortable space to visit artists and start that process. "I love that people visit and may ask me lots of questions about a piece before they buy. Many want to know how I was first inspired as an artist. My parents gave me an oil paint set at thirteen, which validated my love for art and got me started", cites artist Pat Patterson, a photographer/artist, with decades of doing her trade.

The setting is perfect for an outing at Jack London Square, where visitors of all ages can catch some rays outdoors, take a walk and go inside to explore the expansive Market Hall location filled with 50 artist's booths and loads of fine, original artwork. Market Hall Artists provide the community a chance to view art media directly from the artists, celebrating and sharing experiences through fine art, and runs June 6, 7, 13, 14, 11 am - 6 pm. 55 Harrison Street, Oakland.

###

space