The Arts

The Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, a West Oakland non-profit is getting ready for its annual holiday art exhibit. For those of you that haven’t been to the center, it’s a two-story Victorian that was once used as a convent.

There will be a reception on Saturday, December 12, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is scheduled from Monday, November 30 through Friday, January 22, 2010.

Pro Arts announces Juried Annual 2010, Selections by Sherman Sam, an independent curator based in London. The exhibition is on view November 24, 2009 – January 15, 2010. An Artists’ Reception is scheduled on Thursday, December 3, 6 – 8 pm and an Artist Talk is scheduled Thursday, January 14, 6 pm. Exhibition events are free and open to the public.

For more Arts, check out O-Scene: If it’s not here, don’t go there…

Remember Them: Champions for Humanity

Mario Chiodo, Prescott-Oakland Point sculptor, presented the final sculpting of the Maya Angelou and Ruby Bridges section of the “Remember Them: Champions for Humanity monument” honoring 25 inspirational humanitarians to a room full of supporters and contributors.

In attendance to welcome the first stage of completion to this historic monument was Don Perata (MC), Ruby Nell Bridges, Guy Johnson (Maya Angelou's son) and Leon Leyson (the youngest member of Shindler's List).

Historical significance:

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Nell Bridges was the first African-American student to attend a formerly all -white elementary school (William Frantz Public School) in New Orleans. In 1960, desegregation was ordered in New Orleans, after passing a test, Ruby was selected to enter first-grade at William Frantz Public School. Although there were five other African-American students scheduled to enter the public schools in New Orleans, two decided to stay in their own schools, three were assigned to another school while Ruby entered William Frantz alone.

Leon Leyson, one of the youngest surviving members of 1,200 Polish Jews whose lives were saved by Oskar Schindler, when he employed them to work in his factories during World War II.

Leyson was 10 years-old when the war started and 13 when his father brought him into Oscar Schindler’s enamelware factory DEF. After World War 2, Leon Leyson spent three years in a displaced persons camp near Frankfurt Am Main in Germany. He came to the U.S. in 1949.

Leyson's mother and sister were among the 300 Schindler-women, who were routed on a train to Auschwitz by a mistake. Schindler bribed the Nazis and rescued the women who were released from Auschwitz - the only shipment out of the death camp during World War 2.

Maya Angelou (Marguerite Ann Johnson) achievements span over seven decades and showcase a wealth of talents, starting in 1942, when she became San Francisco’s first female cable car conductor.

In Maya Angelou 1969 autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, the first of a six volume series, she chronicled the journey of a young woman who overcame a childhood rape, made a pilgrimage to Africa, served as a civil rights activist and became an example of self-determination.

The caged bird sings with fearful trill,
of the things unknown but longed for still,
and is tune is heard on the distant hill,
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

Other works by recent Mario Chiodo, include Oakland Children Fairyland- Entrance Marquee Topiary Dragon, Genie and Lamp, Storybook; Oakland Zoo-Otter Den Treehouse, Ladybug Climber, Spider Climber, Aldabra Tortoise and Shell Climber, and the Tomato Frog.

Lobot Artist in Residency Show/Tell

Lobot Gallery 1800 Campbell Street

7pm, Thursday July 30th

Free

Natalie Sorenson, art and installation
Tom Wherrett, guitar

Husband and wife from Omaha , via Vancouver BC , present the work that has occupied them during their month long residency at Lobot Gallery.

Sorenson is an MFA candidate at Simon Fraser University whose current thesis project is a comprehensive retrospective for a fictional artist.

Wherrett is an accomplished guitarist who has performed at jazz festivals all over North America , he will be playing songs he composed during his residency.

Doors @ 8:30, Saturday, Aug. 1st,

$5

And an evening of mood music with:

• Dame Satan (SF) 11:00
• Small Sur (Baltimore) 10:00
• Golden Gram (Oak) 9:30

DJ Golden Gram will round out the mellow jamz for the evening...

Lobotgallery.com

Oakland Museum of California News

Oakland Museum of California to Close Temporarily Sunday, August 23

The Oakland Museum of California will temporarily close to the public Sunday, August 23, at 5 p.m. to complete its ambitious renovation. We will be ready to welcome back visitors in May 2010 with a grand reopening celebration. The transformed museum promises an entirely new look at the California experience, telling stories through the many diverse voices of Californians.

Visitors can look forward to more inclusive and interactive features in our expanded Art and History galleries, a dramatic and accessible Oak Street entrance, and new public spaces.

During the break the Museum will offer off-site and online programs.

Don't forget the last free admission day before temporarily closing is Sunday, Aug. 9th

Oakland Museum of California

www.museumca.org

1000 Oak Street

Oakland, CA 94607

Tel: (510) 238-2200