I want to share my experience of the Small Biz Art Walk on Grand that took place on Thursday, July 11. It’s safe to say that if you weren’t there, you missed out!

The Art Walk was a guided tour that started at 6 p.m. and attracted several dozen participants. There was a self-guided option available on the Event Page, which resulted in a continuous flow of attendees throughout the evening. It was truly a sight to behold.

During the event, we had the opportunity to visit various stores and restaurants, interact with business owners, and engage with the talented artists whose work was on display in different shops along the Avenue. This particular Art Walk was the largest one to date, with almost twice as many people taking the guided tour and approximately 20 participating businesses, up from 13 in February.

What I found most enjoyable was exploring stores that I wouldn’t typically visit. Getting a glimpse of the unique offerings of each shop has given me a list of places to revisit. The diversity of our neighborhood was truly showcased through the businesses on Grand, and it was heartwarming to meet artists and business owners from numerous countries, ethnicities, genders, and sexualities.

As we strolled along the Avenue, we were treated to a host of surprises – from live music at several locations to delectable samples of food from local restaurants, as well as offerings of wine, popcorn, candy, and baked goods.

The musicians

Music on Grand

More music on Grand

@ Panorama Framing

Music and dance on Grand

Given the recent spate of crime in Oakland, being out on the street surrounded by dozens of neighbors brought a sense of joy and community to the evening. It was reassuring to see everyone come together to celebrate the arts and support our neighborhood’s businesses.

One high school art teacher who attended the Art Walk for the first time was absolutely delighted and declared, “It’s better than the Art Murmur!” The enthusiasm from all the participating merchants was infectious, and they are eagerly looking forward to the next Art Walk.

Special thanks go to Tracey Williams from urban university, our Emcee Extraordinaire, who led us (sometimes dancing) and introduced us to shop owners and artists. Additionally, I want to recognize all the participating businesses, Anthony Bennett from the Grand Lake Business Association, and Ken Katz, former Splashpad News publisher, for their efforts in organizing and promoting the event. And Ken asked me to recognize and thank Jason Canepa from Radbird for designing the posters and repeatedly making late additions. 

Scenes from the many shops

I encourage everyone to keep an eye out for the upcoming Small Business Art Walk in October; it’s an event that you wouldn’t want to miss. Whether you decide to explore it on your own or as part of the group, it’s an experience that will leave you proud to be part of this vibrant neighborhood!

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By debra chaplan

Debra Chaplan became the publisher of the Splashpad News in February 2024. She’s lived in the Grand Lake neighborhood for 30 years. With a career doing communications and educational programming for several unions, she’s pleased to use those skills for the neighborhood and city that she loves.