Indie Biz of the Week..and other updates

Hey All,
I am going to stand on my soapbox again this week and preach the importance of following up with good intentions. I know we all have them, when we say, "I have to get over to that gallery or new shop,"...well please do, we all say we will support and then for what ever reason we don't get ourselves over to the shops...well guess what if you don't come, they will go..away.

I am asking you all to make every effort to help support all of these small businesses, even if you go and just spend $5, it adds up and keeps them going....

The EastBay Express (also an indie newspaper) has continued their campaign for shopping and supporting local. The 2009 Indie Revolution, below is the copy from the campaign.

Can you truly shape our society?

Yes you can!

Join the Indie Revolution to find out how! Not only is it free, it's inspiring, empowering, educational, and hopefully stimulates your "feel good" brain nodes. Each month you'll receive a packet in the mail with ideas and tips on how you can personally make a difference in our community. The theme changes each month.

Click here to get this month's journal.

To join the Indie Revolution and receive a hard copy of the monthly journal as well as special offers and invitations, simply email your name and mailing address to: Indie@EastBayExpress.com

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

FiveTenStudio

Located in Old Oakland, this store/gallery
is nothing but awesome!  FiveTenStudio was
founded by Alfonso Dominguez and Sean
Matthews.They specializes in functional
limited edition objects and furniture.
Dedicated to the promotion of local designers,
artists and craftsmen.

Alfonso and his family have been working really
hard to make Old Oakland a destination. In
addition to FiveTenStudio he and his family have
their hands in the restaurant business with Tamarindo,
his wife owns a cute boutique called Mignonne and
I hear that he is involved with a new bar opening soon....

Right now FiveTenStudio is featuring custom audio components by
Audiowood: works by Joel Scilley. These are beautiful handcrafted
one of a kind turntable decks.  Also in the space are audio
components by a variety of artisans including craved wood speaker
pods and amplifiers by GLOW Audio.

FiveTenStudio
831 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607

Get Directions(510)451-9900
fivetenstudio.com
Hours: Sun-Wed appointment only, Thurs-Sat 11-6pm












DON'T MISS BLANKSPACE'S 3 YR ANNIVERSARY PARTY & OPENING RECEPTION
for artists Renee Gertler & Jessica Dacher-THIS SATURDAY 7-10PM

blankspacegallery.com

Hey speaking of indie biz the Oakland Indie Awards are happening
again this year.You can nominate your favorite Oakland Indie Biz
by clicking here.
The Indie Awards are a program of One California Foundation.
They are hosting third third annual awards party on Friday,
May 15, 2009 at 5:30 pm at The Crucible at 1260 7th St, Oakland.
This event will celebrate the spirit and community impact of
Oakland's independent businesses and artists.

umm..maybe blankspace could be nominated...just saying...

Indie Biz of the Week

Sorry for missing last week...here is this weeks Indie Biz of the week along with what is coming up at Blankspace..and make sure to come by for our next reception on March 21st 7-10pm, when we will also be celebrating our 3 year anniversary....

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

Issues is located right off of Piedmont Ave. In Oakland. This little shop must carry at least 1000 magazines, newspapers, zines, records and more.

I have always found what I was looking for here. I am a sucker for magazines about modern living, modular living, basically anything to do with modernist living (my dream). They have so many good mags to choose from, it makes it hard to take home just one at a time. Good stuff, check it out...

ISSUES

20 Glen Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 652-5700

www.issuesshop.com

Hours:Mon-Sat 8 am to 8 pm & Sun from 8 am to 6 pm.


WHAT'S COMING UP AT BLANKSPACE



Modality Room
Installation by
Renee Gertler

March 21 - April 27, 2009

*Opening reception Saturday, March 21st, 7-10pm
First Friday reception: April 3rd, 7-10pm
Sunday Tea: April 12, 3-5pm (tea generously provided by NUMI tea of Oakland)

Renée Gertler utilizes a domestic environment to explore the complex -and often strange and otherworldly - ideas that explain the workings of the known universe. Outer space, black holes and the magnitude of nothingness are points of singularity encompassed in her newest mixed
media installation within the confines of Blankspace.

*blankspace is celebrating out 3 year anniversary

GALLERY STORE ARTIST:

Jessica Dacher
Remember Me Forever

To kick-off the celebration of our 3rd year, we have started a Blankspace gallery store artist showcase that will feature a solo exhibit of an artist within the gallery store walls. Our current exhibit is with artist Jessica Dacher.

Dacher has created a mixed media wall installation titled Remember Me Forever.

For this site-specific piece Dacher combines her skills, utilizing paint, metal, tilework and more to create a largescale, lushly colored, pop imagery.

Please join us for receptions and events occurring jointly with the main gallery artist.

more info on the artist can be found on her website jessicadacher.com

Indie Biz of the Week

Well another week has gone by and it is time once again for the Indie Biz of the week posting. Before I get to it though I wanted to talk a short bit about how excited I am that Blankspace will be celebrating 3 years this coming March!! Stay tuned for more updates on that..

Anyway, I am also posting some great events that are happening this weekend right below the Indie Biz of the week. Enjoy....

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

Slash Jeans in Berkeley, CA is the indie biz of the week. I think this is one of the best places to find the perfect pair of jeans. Period.

I hate shopping for jeans, they are either way to long or made for girls with no booty. When Jason and I walked in to Slash for the first time we were like kids in a candy store. First of all let me say, a little sheepishly, that I was painfully unaware that Slash had started selling new jeans, we had been searching for the holy grail of jeans all over the country, and all along the store was literally right up the street from us. The last time I was there was to go to the fabulous basement filled with hundreds of great vintage jeans, cords, you name it, but the new upstairs section...absolutely yummy.

The "jeans lady" as people refer to her, is super nice and helpful and seems to know everything there is to know about jeans. I told her what I was looking for, she looked me up and down and then proceeded to pull about 12 pairs of jeans for me to try on. I really like that they encourage you to walk to the dressing room with a Doctor Seuss like pile of jeans in your arms, none of this 3 items or less.

Anyway, I did end up finding the perfect jeans for me, that fit like butter. I think I may wear them more than anything else in my wardrobe, it it time for me to go back and get another pair. Skinny jeans are everywhere in this store...BUT there are also many other great styles in stock if skinny is not your thing.

Bonus: they will hem any pair of pant for you, and they do a great job.

What more can I say, check them out for yourself, I think you will fall in love like I did. I believe everyone should treat themselves to a great pair of jeans at least once a year.

SLASH 2840 College Ave
(between Russell St & Stuart St)
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 665-5994

www.slashberkeley.com

Hours:

Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m.--7:00p.m. , Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m

WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND



Southern Exposure's 9th Annual Monster Drawing Rally

Friday, February 27, 2009
6:00 – 11:00 PM
Donation: $5 & UP
Event Location: Verdi Club
2424 Mariposa Street (between Hampshire and Potrero Streets)

Southern Exposure announces the 9th Annual Monster Drawing Rally at the Verdi Club, a live drawing and fundraising event featuring over 130 artists. (shameless self promotion alert- Kerri and Jason have drawings that will be raffled in the "Drawing Drawing" later in the evening)

Providing the basic necessities of the drawing practice--pencils, charcoal, pens, markers, ink, and paper--Southern Exposure creates the context while the artists create the content of the drawings. The evening will consist of four one-hour shifts with approximately 30 artists drawing simultaneously each hour. As the drawings are completed they will be hung on the walls and available for purchase for $60 each. The Monster Drawing Rally promises to be an action-packed spectacle you won't want to miss!

more info soex.org

Blankspace presents:

Straight Talk: First Time Home Buyers Workshop

Saturday, February 28th 10-11:30AM
Space is limited so please RSVP at info@blankspacegallery.com
subject line: straight talk

Blankspace is hosting a free workshop for anyone that is interested in trying to purchase his or her first home. This will be an informal information session bringing
experts from the home buying industry directly to you in an intimidation free neutral environment.

This is a great chance to have you questions answered honestly without pressure. The expert guests are here to help and will be discussing the home buying process in the current climate, and will be available to answer questions in a no holds barred, straight talk style.

Areas of focus will be:
- Foreclosures- demystifying the process-where to start, what is the process, what is needed to qualify, the best way/places to look for foreclosure listings, beginning to end.

- The role of a broker
- Do I qualify for a loan? – tips on how to start the process and alternative ways of qualifying
- Rehabilitation loans- what are they, who can qualify
- What next
- info sheets with contacts and follow-up info

If you have a specific question, please email info@blankspacegallery.com before February 25th and I will add it to the list. There will also be time at the end of the session for a brief individual Q & A with the experts.

Coffee and light snacks will be served.

The experts who have helped make this event possible are

Kevin Skipper of Skipper Realty
Stephanie Kelley -Chicago Title escrow officer
Allen K. Moore- Loan Officer at Mason-McDuffie Mortgage

blankspace 6608 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608 || blankspacegallery.com || 510-547-6608

The Tyranny of Harmony a show of paintings by Brian Caraway

Reception Saturday, Feb 28th 6-9pm

ZZA'S Enoteca
550 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA

Blankspace's good friend Brian Caraway has some new work that he will be showing at this great restaurant called ZZA'S. The show will run Feb 28th - March 27th. If you can make the opening reception there will be lots of great wine and pizza being served!!

PS-this show was curated by artist and all around awesome person Obi Kaufman who Blankspace loves.

Weekly update

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

Periscope Cellars in Emeryville, CA is the indie biz of the week. Periscope is a fantastic urban winery, the owner Brendan is super nice and works very hard to bring us tasty vino. Their "official" blur is....

"Periscope Cellars, an urban winery in the heart of the East Bay, specializes in blended red wines.

Operating out of a WWII submarine repair facility, Periscope Cellars works with small, family growers with a focus on hands-on growing and winemaking to yield wines of unique character and quality. Distinctly non-traditional, we focus on unique blends created and consumed in the relaxed, “industrial chic” atmosphere of our tasting room, wine lounge and independent art gallery."

TASTING ROOM FEE: Always free!

TASTING ROOM HOURS:
Wednesday to Sunday : 12pm - 5pm

ONGOING MONTHLY EVENTS:
Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month : 5:00 - 8:00pm

Happy Hour Wine Lounge

First Friday of the Month: 6 - 9pm

Art Gallery Opening Reception

Periscope Cellars
1410 62nd Street Suite B (@ Hollis)
Emeryville, CA 94608
510-655-7827 •periscopecellars.com brendan@periscopecellars.com

Our tasting room is open Friday through Sunday but and we’re here 7 days a week. So give us a call if you’re in the neighborhood. Since all of the wines are made right here in Emeryville, you can check out the full wine making process and taste the newest barrel samples as well as our bottled wines. We’re also available for special events and group tastings.

Comm[unity] bulletin board

Here are some new and continuing open calls for you all to enjoy, please pass on to anyone you think may find the info useful.

I also wanted to mention that this coming Friday is First Friday, not only will Blankspace be open from 7-10pm but if you go to one of the galleries listed in this weeks East Bay Express -including Blankspace- and you let the East Bay Express know you came by, you could win prizes...mmm prizes... and as always shop local...support the local economy by keeping your dollars circulating through local business....that reminds me, scroll down to see the indie biz of the week...

OPEN CALLS

Bancroft Sculpture Exhibit

Entries Due: Post marked by February 14, 2009
Exhibition Dates: June 19 - July 19, 2009
Opening Reception: June 19th 5-8pm
Entry Fee: None

Awards:1st Place $1000, 2nd Place $500, 3rd place $250

Jurors: Carrie Lederer and Ann Weber

Here is a link to a PDF with all of the info and entry form: Click Here

Call for Artists

Deadline February 27

The City of Walnut Creek is currently accepting qualifications from artists
for individual artworks for the new downtown Walnut Creek Library.

Individual works of art will be purchased or commissioned to fill the
library’s common areas in the buildings’ lobbies, reading rooms, community
gallery, children’s library, and children’s garden, as well as outside in
adjacent plazas.

More information: http://www.bedfordgallery.org/public_art.htm

Contact:
Robyn Burror
Public Art Coordinator
burror@walnut-creek.org
925/295-1447

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

Four Barrels Coffee in SF is the indie biz of the week. I had been hearing about this great new coffee shop in the Mission and when I was visiting Southern Exposure Gallery the other day I finally went in...if you go on Yelp there is a lot of talk about this business, some of the comments and quibbles are quite funny...but the bottom line; and this comes straight from a self proclaimed coffee snob-I had one of the best cappuccinos I have ever had outside of Italy.

Bottom line, it is all about the coffee, and Four Barrels gets it...I don't care if a monkey in an elephant suit is serving my coffee, if the barista can make a good cap, I am happy. I was walking down the sidewalk and every time I took a sip I sighed with contentment...

**Side note, the other best place (in my opinion) to get a great cup of coffee is Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe on College ave in Oakland.

Four Barrels

375 Valencia St
(at 15th St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 252-0800

* Hours:
Mon-Thu. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

stick to it

So I said I would start doing this on a regular basis as part of my New Years resolution...so week 2 and I am still good to my resolution...yeah.

It has been such an amazing week for the country, OBAMA!!! We held an inaugural party at Blankspace in conjunction with Lena Reynoso's Forty Four Presidents show. Lena officially moved the Obama painting into the main gallery to take its rightful place amongst all the rest. We had fun, mixing presidential inspired drinks like the Obama on the Ba-rock's, Abe's tropical night in hell and Quincy's Alligator...fun and historical who ever thought we could use those words in the same sentence.

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

The Curiosity Shoppe in SF is the indie biz of the week. Since just finding out about them a couple of weeks ago from the beloved Lena Reynoso, I keep coming across their name and awesomeness. Besides having a kick ass name they have a plethora of amazing and unique items for living, working, crafting.

Here is the link to their website.

The Curiosity Shoppe

855 Valencia St.
SF, CA
415-671-6384

hours: tues-sat 11-7, sun 12-6, closed mondays

Upcoming at Blankspace

Formations

a two person show with Erik Parra and Victoria Wagner

February 13- March 9, 2009

opening reception: Friday Feb 13th 7-10pm

New Years Resolutions

Ok, so I know I have not been super consistent about posting to this blog...but good news, on my long list of New Years resolutions is to blog on a regular basis. I am also going to be adding my favorite indie business of the week and adding an artist of the month...sounds ambitious right, it is, but I resolve to stick to it...really.

Let me start by saying it is almost time for Blankspace to celebrate our three year anniversary. I cannot believe it has been 3 yrs. already. As they say, time flies when your having fun. Seriously, having Blankspace has been such a great experience. This has been a dream of mine for so long and I still sometimes look around and cannot believe that it actually exists.

The support we have received from people coming in to visit has been amazing. When we started this space, we could not have imagined how happy it would make other people. We get such nice words of support on a regular basis, it warms my heart....(pausing to wipe a tear)..I hope we can continue to be a part of this community for years to come.


So lets get to it!!

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

Relish at Home

I have to say that I am talking about them a little too late, they are closing the brick and mortar doors this week...but don't fret they will be re-opening with an all new online store in the weeks to come. This place is soo cute, they have great super designy items for home and body, great bags, jewelry... awesome. She is liquidating some of her current inventory and has an amazing sale that ends tomorrow.

Here is all of the info:

Relish at Home

2703 7th st #112 Berkeley, CA 510-981-9400

Store Hours 11am to 6pm EVERYDAY thru January 16th.

http://www.relishathome.com/

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Jessica Dacher
I first met Jessica when I was asked to jury a show at Sebastopol Center for the Arts and she had applied to the open call. She ended up being one of the people I gave an award to, and I did not know she was a neighbor until the night of the opening when I read her resume for the first time. It is funny how sometimes you have to leave your home to meet a neighbor.

Jessica's work is fun, she creates great layers of texture and her sense of color is great. These images don't do the colors justice, she gets these amazingly rich colors that you just want to bite into. Her work is a mix of tiles, collages and paintings, she has also recently been creating great sculptures lately.

To sum it up I think that Jessica is a talented artist and is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Jessica is currently exhibiting at the SFMOMA artists gallery

Here is a link to her website to check out more of her work.

http://jessicadacher.com

You can find some of Jessica's tiles for sale in the front store at Blankspace.