Have a Heart mural is at the 7th St. side. Hear a Heart is a cannabis dispensary…read more the theme of the mural highlights events/symbols seen in Oakland: sideshows, A's baseball, Oaklandish symbol, Hello Kitty, spray painting, vaping, bart, bitcoin, green apple, blue skies, red skies, etc. creator: Charms Von

These types of murals in general prevent a lot of graffiti. Some building these owners turn over…read moretheir exterior walls to artists at a specific cost. I recently spoke to one of these artists. There is some pay involved and there is an understanding that the art work generally doesn't last forever. Its a unique relationship between artist and tenant or building owner. I think the bad part of it is the ulterior motive - its not as if people have these murals for pure love of art - rather its to avoid something bad. I suppose building owners are 'in like' with these sorts of projects. I guess I see it as putting a missing person's face on the side of a milk carton.

This is a lovely sculpture located at the Center Walk across from Frank Ogawa Plaza. It's labeled…read more"fountain" on the Oakland City Center map/directory. The piece was inspired by Gertrude Stein's quote "There is no there there", referring to her childhood home, despite her words being interpreted in different ways. The artist, Roslyn Mazzilli, spent decades creating sculptures that reflect aspects of nature and add vibrant color to the various settings in which her public artworks are displayed. "There!" is seemingly ageless and certainly an attractive centerpiece among the surrounding shops and eateries at the City Center, and a prime representation of Mazzilli's work.

This colorful sculpture is in the middle of the city center plaza right outside the 12th street…read moreBart station. I'd been here many times before and even sat around the fountain but never paid attention to the name of the sculpture nor it's creator until my last visit. Thanks to yelp, I learned something new once again. Now I know that this sculpture is knows as There!, created by sculptor Roselyn Mazzilli. Upon closer look, I saw the nameplate for the first time including the date of installation which is 1988. The entire plaza is a nice place to hang around with lots of restaurants providing outside seating around the sculpture and the fountain. Due to severe drought in California, the fountain is currently off but the sculpture is still a beauty to behold.

This wolf sculpture gets a lot of attention, but really it goes hand-in-hand with Jack London's…read moreCabin just steps away (see my separate review for that). The wolf and cabin together create an engaging scene for visitors to appreciate, commemorating the great author and some of his most famous literary works, ie. Call of the Wild and White Fang. The art and history displayed here is beautiful, especially with its waterfront setting. There's plenty of seating in the area for public use, as well as a lovely fountain flowing with water. There wasn't much foot traffic on a Saturday evening, and hardly anyone on site except for those dining at Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon situated adjacent to the cabin, so it was easy to pay a visit with minimal distractions.

5 stars for the Wolf in Jack London Square!!…read more The Wolf is right by Jack London's cabin, which is super small. Kids love to ride the Wolf, it's very sturdy and able to handle all the attention it gets. Although there is a small plaque there, I do wish there was more on the spot history here about Jack London, because with all the people that come here, it wouldn't hurt for them to know more about Jack London, the man, and his accomplishments. In short, he was a novelist, his famous books were 'Call of the Wild' and 'White Fang' which is where the Wolf comes from, amongst other things. Check out the Wolf next time you're in Jack London Square!!

This named mural on the side of a fence & across a building was created by an individual & his…read morestudent associates. Against a background of geometric shapes in pastel colours are 6 black individuals & a group of black persons in black leather jackets. The faces aren't known to me save Esther Mabry, 2d from the left, owner of Esther's Orbit Room on 7th st., a well known jazz night club. At the far right are members of the Black Panther Party, a Black power political organization started in West Oakland, 1966. Other figures may also be from Oakland, Ca. Creator: Dave Young Kim with Neighborhood Kids: Steph, Zach, Dena.

On the Campbell side of the building is the named mural. At the right is a large Oak tree logo of…read moreOakland, Ca. At the left are large blocked letters: HOPE. Creators: The Thrive Collective, Kekoa, Camer1, Urban Life Mentors Sponsors: Clorox, Sherwin Williams, Bay Community Fellowship, Tim Hom (Illuminaries)

It seemed as though OAKLAND was calling me. I longed to see this place because of its history and…read moreme being a historian per se I needed to go. My soul hungered for Oakland. My first stop was here. I can not say enough about this museum and tribute to "the women of THE BLSCK PANTHER PARTY." I have so many pictures and now memories of hours well spent soaking in what you can't find in a book. The personal tour and additional tidbits provided by the curator allowed me to see Oakland as a "Oaklander" and not a tourist. I have now made visiting Oakland and seeing all of its history an annual thing. If you are ever in the area or decide to visit, make this museum one of your must see! "Look Up to Black Women"

this mural memorializes the invaluable contributions that women members of the Black Panther Party…read moreprovided. the men get all the headlines while the women get no mention whatsoever. this mural is an attempt to fill in empty spaces. this mural is outside a museum about the Black Panther Party. the mural shows a women holding a long rifle, a women making a speech, and a women laughing with a child. location: Dr. Huey P. Newton Way & Center St. Oakland, Ca. creator: Rachel Wolft-Goldsmith and the Wolfe Packe

Nature in Space is an assigned name for a mural painted on wooden boards on 18th St. near Peralta…read moreSt. Definitely in "space", a flying spider mutant creature is next to a sleeping lady who is beside the head of a growling green monster with similar coloured hands. Next to it are is a cricket shellfish mutant creature. Attached to both creatures are tiny jellyfish lookalikes. Creators: Skinner, Lord Pawn aka Ryan Rhodes

Coco is on the street side of an operating business. There's a large pelican on the left looking at…read morelight & dark blue waves. At the bottom right corner are capitalized "CBS". At the bottom of S is written " LORDS". In the middle of the mural slightly to the left of C are "SWORE DOTY ROAR". The creators are listed at bottom left corner. No doubt COCO is the pelican. A concerning gaze upon the waves. CBS & the names May be addendums posted with permission and/or collaboration with the creators. *LORDS=Legends of Rare Design crew, CBS=California BOMB SQUAD crew. Swore & Doty are members of LORDS crew.

Unnamed mural on the side of a Prescott Hall building shows a woman with wide opened eyes on the…read moreverge of tears. Her mouth slightly open, displaying almost grinding teeth. On both sides of her are various colours of balloon like objects: green, blue, purple, orange, tangerine, beige, yellow, pink... Creator: Matley Hurd

On the Filbert St. side of an existing business is a mural featuring hummingbirds, large floral…read moreplants, blue skies, lush vegetation, and tulips. Name randomly assigned as Creator has not named it. This mural probably commissioned or space donated eliminates potential graffiti in the 'hood, provides some greenery so to speak, creates an atmosphere cohesive to safety and best practices. Creator: Timothy B.