#zinefests

TW: Blood

Inspired.Motivated.Grateful.Humbled. Excited for the future. These are some of the words that describe how I feel after Oakland Creates. It’s been five years since the first Oakland Creates in 2015. I can’t believe how fast five years has gone by.

I started Oakland Creates because I couldn’t find an art show in Oakland to be a part of or a venue to engage with to show my work.  In fall of 2015 I approached various venues I felt super uncomfortable and honestly unwelcome. The Oakland Art Murmur was not the same as Oakland First Friday’s are now, meaning there wasn’t a mix of all types of people showing their art. Back then  I was looking to showcase my own work on my own terms. Instead of a solo show or 2 or 3 person show I decided to curate a mini comics and zine fest with Black and Brown folks I knew and who’s work I admired and felt would make a good mix of art styles. The most important factor in who I would invite to table would be who the artist is as a person and not just their art, comics or zines. I never want anyone to feel unwelcome or be treated poorly so that means organizing with true care about the people involved.  All that being said, Oakland still has limited venue space and availability. The Eastbay Community Space has been amazing these past two years.

This year I was blessed by the community with donations and volunteers. Big shout out to everyone who gave and came through to help set up and watch the door, run the workshops and break down and clean up.  A huge thank you and big ups to the Eastbay Community Space for making an extra effort to accommodate us, from helping with table rental and storage to the very responsive correspondence and communication. Thank you so much to all the artists and makers for tabling. I appreciate you.

Oakland Creates is about community and providing a resource for Black and Brown artists, underrepresented artists to share and sell their comics, zines and art. Thank you to everyone who came and supported with your positive energy and the awesome power of time plus finances. Without the community coming out to spend money and share space Oakland Creates could not happen. The exchange is more than economics but a clear communication of your desire to be connected and help artists  lead our society in ways that aren’t always obvious or tangible but create everlasting change. 

It is amazing to build with artists in the SF Bay Area. Lets go into 2020 with positive intention and mindful of the ways in which we affect those around us. Visual art, music and the written or spoken word can move people in ways politics, governmental agencies or fear can not.