Oakland’s popular art walk expands

“I thought we were a good fit for Art Murmur. It’s a safe, inspired and creative thing,” Soll said as she watched people pour into her Second Street gallery on April 6. It was the first time the nine additional members were officially part of the Art Walk, which now stretches from 26th Street on the north to new territory in Uptown, Old Oakland, downtown and the Jack London district.

Two blocks away on Jefferson Street, the Hive was just as crowded. It includes a gallery and more than 30 artist studios. One of the liveliest belongs to John Casey, who has been involved with Art Murmur since it began in 2006.

“First Fridays have gotten so large that it’s become almost a logistical issue,” Casey said. “The idea of expanding Art Murmur made perfect sense because it diffuses the epicenter, at 23rd and Telegraph, and spreads people out. And we want to incorporate as much of Oakland as we can within reason.”

Art Murmur has grown to 21 galleries and nine mixed-use venues, such as cafes and shops with rotating art exhibitions. For the brand-new members, the expansion means greater visibility. For the public, it provides more options in a city with one of the highest numbers of artists per capita in the country.

Given the wider geographic boundaries and the 6 to 9 p.m. time frame, it would be almost impossible for people to hit every Art Walk stop unless they traveled at intergalactic speed and spent no