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Arts & Culture
 A thriving arts
community has called Emeryville home for over three decades.
Initially drawn to the city by the availability of industrial
and warehouse space, artists choosing to live and work here have
found a supportive and receptive atmosphere, one in which the
arts and the live/work concept are recognized as an integral
part of the community. This support is fostered in part by the
community of artists already in existence, by the City of
Emeryville itself, and by residents and businesses who have
discovered the talents available to them in terms of skills
creative problem solving, and enthusiasm.
 Artists comprise a
significant percentage of the city's population, and once a year
many of them open their studios to the public for two weekends
in June during the ProArts Annual Open Studios self-guided tour
event.
The
City of Emeryville, in partnership with the business community,
honors the city's artistic community each October
with the Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, a juried exhibition
open to all artists who live or work in Emeryville. This event,
now in it's 19th year, celebrates the diversity of art work
created in the city.
In October
2004, the exhibition featured the work of 96 painters, sculptors,
photographers, fine craftspeople, and video
and performance artists and was held in a Bay
Street Emeryville Shopping Center. The gala public opening
night reception was attended by over 1,200 people and the no-host
bar raised funds for the Emeryville Youth Art Program.
 In
1990, the city established "Percent for Art" ordinance. The ordinance formalized a growing practice by the city and its
many corporate residents who included significant pieces
of art and statements about art in their public spaces. The
ordinance requires private developers of commercial buildings
to contribute 1% of their total construction costs for public
art; the City must contribute 1.5% of tis total new building
costs to public art.
All artwork installed since 1900 was mandated by the Art in Public Places Ordinance. Our city has had the good forutne to have developers who were already including public art in their projects before this date, as well.
In addition to permanent public art installations, rotating exhibits can also be seen at local restaurants including Cuppa Cabana, Ruby*s Café, the Townhouse, and Trader Vic's.
In
Temporary Art Program—Works of art are installed on
a short-term basis in various public locations throughout
Emeryville. Pamela Blotner's "Water
Birds" (shown above, left), in Christie Park was one of the pieces installed for a time last winter.
 Many artists are
active in community affairs, lending creative energy to
neighborhood groups, city committees and commissions, civic
organizations and the Emery Unified School District.
Below, you'll find
just a few of Emeryville's annual or ongoing art events.
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Emeryville
Celebration of the Arts
Annual, juried art exhibit takes place during the month of
October.
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Pro
Arts Gallery
Nonprofit organization fosters and supports the arts in the
East Bay, including artists' open studios each June.
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 Art
in Public Places
Learn about the 30 public artworks throughout Emeryville,
commissioned in response to the City's public art ordinance.
Includes information on upcoming competitions and Public Art
Advisory Committee meetings.
Art Galleries in Emeryville
Emeryville Chamber of Commerce
3980 Harlan Street · Emeryville · CA · 94608
Phone: 510-652-5223 · FAX: 510-652-4223
Email:
info@emeryvillechamber.com
© Copyright 2004 by Emeryville Chamber of Commerce.
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