Author: Rachel Holmstrom

CREATE & PROTEST

Saturday, April 25th 12:00 – 3:00 PM

Join us for Create & Protest, a FREE hands-on workshop where art meets activism. This all-ages gathering is a chance to raise your voice, stand up for immigrant rights and free speech, and connect with others through the power of art.

We’re protesting mass deportations and standing in solidarity with immigrant communities—and we’re doing it with bold visuals, loud messages, and collective energy.

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

  • Live printmaking with a professional artist! Bring your own T-shirts or tote bags, or make a poster—we’ll have paper and ink ready to go.
  • DIY protest station and zine making with all the materials you need: poster board, cardboard, paint, markers, and more.
  • Community connection: Meet others, share your story, amplify your message.

Whether you come with a message in mind or just want to create in solidarity, everyone is welcome. Youth are especially welcome to join to create posters for May Day!

Date: Saturday, April 25th

Time: 12pm – 3pm

Location: 558 Bellevue Ave. Oakland, CA (Lake Merritt)

Cost: Free!

Open to all ages – families, teens, and first-time protesters encouraged.

About Saturdays at the Lab

Saturdays at the Lab is a unique series of weekend art workshops connecting professional artists with our local community. Designed to foster creativity and collaboration, these hands-on sessions welcome participants of all skill levels to explore new techniques, exchange ideas, and experience the transformative power of art.

See our other Saturdays at the Lab workshops

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


If you have any accommodation needs or concerns, reach out directly at contact@eastbaycreativelab.org

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. By blending creativity with experiential learning, we inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

Your participation in these events not only nurtures your own creative potential but also supports our mission to provide equitable access to art and science programs for youth and families across Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. Learn more about us.

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STEAM FAIR – A Free Family Day

Saturday, April 18th 11 AM – 2 PM
A Hands-On Family Celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math 🔬⚙️🎨

Join us for a day of curiosity, creativity, and discovery at the Junior Center of Art and Science / East Bay Creative Lab! This hands-on community event invites children ages 5–13 and their families to explore the exciting intersections of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) through playful experimentation and creative problem-solving.

Throughout the day, families can roam between interactive stations led by local scientists, naturalists, artists, and makers, each offering a chance to tinker, test, build, and create.

Whether your child loves messy experiments, inventive building challenges, or artistic exploration, there will be something to spark every imagination.

Hands-On STEAM Stations

Young innovators can explore a variety of engaging activities, including:

  • Slime Chemistry Lab – Mix, measure, and experiment with the science of polymers.
  • Light-Up Circuits – Learn the basics of electricity by creating glowing creations.
  • Strawberry DNA Extraction – Discover the building blocks of life by isolating real DNA.
  • Robotics Challenges – Test problem-solving skills with hands-on robotics activities.
  • Cyanotype Sun Prints – Use sunlight and natural materials to create beautiful blueprints.
  • Water Filtration Engineering – Design and build your own water purification system.
  • More surprise stations led by local STEAM experts!

Each station invites kids to experiment, ask questions, and learn by doing.

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STEAM Passport Adventure

When you arrive, each child will receive a STEAM Passport.

Visit stations, collect stamps, and complete your passport to earn a small prize at the end of your adventure!

Who Should Attend

This event is perfect for:

  • Curious kids ages 5–13
  • Families looking for hands-on learning experiences
  • Young creators, scientists, engineers, and artists
  • Anyone who loves making, experimenting, and discovering

No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity!

Event Details

Location: Junior Center of Art and Science / East Bay Creative Lab
558 Bellevue Ave. Oakland, CA
Ages: 5–13 (families welcome)
Cost: Free
Format: Drop-in, explore at your own pace

Come Invent the Future With Us

At Junior Center, we believe that curiosity, creativity, and experimentation help young people imagine new possibilities for our world. Join us for a joyful day of learning, making, and community.

Bring the whole family and get ready to explore STEAM together!

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
RSVP today
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


You can indicate any accommodation needs or concerns when registering your child under the “Special Instructions about my child” section. You can also reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

Feathered Field Sketch

Bird sketches (1350 x 1080 px)
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Saturday, April 11th from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

Get to know your wild neighbors — the winged ones!

In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the fascinating birds of Lake Merritt and Oakland, from elegant egrets to bold black cormorants and busy little songbirds. A local naturalist will introduce us to who’s who in our local ecosystem — how they move, what makes their feathers unique, the patterns they wear, and the quirky behaviors that make each species special.

Then we’ll bring them to life on paper.

Using pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, and charcoal, students will experiment with different techniques to capture gesture, texture, pattern, and personality. We’ll practice quick observational sketches, study feather details, and create finished illustrations inspired by what we learn.

This class is all about sharpening your eye, loosening up your hand, and deepening your connection to the natural world right outside your door. Perfect for curious teens and adults who love art, nature, or both.

Bird sketches

All skill levels welcome — just bring your curiosity!

$20 – $40 sliding scale

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
buy tickets today
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


You can indicate any accommodation needs or concerns when registering your child under the “Special Instructions about my child” section. You can also reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. By blending creativity with experiential learning, we inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

Your participation in these events not only nurtures your own creative potential but also supports our mission to provide equitable access to art and science programs for youth and families across Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. Learn more about us.

Support our work
Support our work
Support our work

Clothing Swap & Block Printing

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Saturday, March 14th from 1-4pm

Teens & Adult clothing only please

Join us for a creative, community-centered clothing swap and upcycling workshop. Bring gently used clothing to trade, then transform your “new” finds into one-of-a-kind pieces at our block printing station.

Why We Swap

The fashion industry is responsible for roughly 8–10% of global carbon emissions, and the average American discards over 81 pounds of clothing every year. This event is a small but powerful way to rethink fashion, keep textiles out of landfills, and give clothing a second life through art.

All items not swapped will be donated to Serenity House in Oakland, supporting our local neighbors.

The Printing Station: Give Your Finds a New Look

Never tried block printing? Think of it as creating big, custom rubber stamps, so you can create your own patterns and decorations on your new clothes. We will provide specialized fabric ink and everything you need to customize your clothes:

  • Ready-to-Use: Choose from a collection of beautiful designs hand-carved by our Teaching Artists.
  • DIY Stamps: We’ll provide “soft-cut” linoleum blocks and carving tools so you can sketch and cut your own custom design to keep.
  • The Process: You’ll roll ink onto the raised surface of the block and press it firmly onto your fabric to create a permanent, wearable piece of art.

Details

  • Free to Swap, Suggested Donation for Printing: $10–$40 helps cover ink, carving blocks, and workshop supplies for those partipcating in block printing
  • What to Bring: Gently used teen/adult clothes (no kids clothes please) to swap and a sense of curiosity!
Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
RSVP TODAY
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


You can indicate any accommodation needs or concerns when registering your child under the “Special Instructions about my child” section. You can also reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. By blending creativity with experiential learning, we inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

Your participation in these events not only nurtures your own creative potential but also supports our mission to provide equitable access to art and science programs for youth and families across Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. Learn more about us.

A suggested donation of $10 – $40 helps cover materials and supplies. You can donate online or in person via Venmo, PayPal, or cash.

Support our work
Support our work
Support our work

Scrappy Birds Collage

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IMG 2246 Large

Saturday, March 14th from 10am-12pm

OPEN Studio: Scrappy Birds and Recycled Collage Creatures!

Ideal for ages 6+

Come visit us for our monthly open studio! Turn cardboard, paper scraps, and recycled treasures into bold, beautiful birds.

In this imaginative mixed-media class, young artists will design and build their own one-of-a-kind birds using recycled materials. We’ll transform painted cardboard, magazine clippings, scrap paper, and found textures into colorful wings, layered feathers, patterned bodies, and expressive faces.

Students will start by learning a little about real birds — their shapes, beaks, wings, and feather patterns — then use that inspiration to invent their own species or recreate a favorite local bird. We’ll paint cardboard backgrounds, cut and layer shapes, experiment with texture, and assemble everything into vibrant collage artworks.

Perfect for kids who love animals, building things, cutting, painting, and getting a little messy.

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
RSVP TODAY
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


You can indicate any accommodation needs or concerns when registering your child under the “Special Instructions about my child” section. You can also reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. By blending creativity with experiential learning, we inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

Your participation in these events not only nurtures your own creative potential but also supports our mission to provide equitable access to art and science programs for youth and families across Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. Learn more about us.

A suggested donation of $10 – $20 helps cover materials and supplies. You can donate online or in person via Venmo, PayPal, or cash.

Support our work
Support our work
Support our work

Opening Reception – What We Sow

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Friday, Feb 13th from 6:30-8:30pm

Opening reception of What We Sow—in collaboration with Lake Merritt’s very own Trash Falcons!

One person’s trash isn’t just treasure—it’s a masterpiece. What We Sow invites viewers into a reimagined landscape composed of the forgotten remnants of Adams Point, Lakeside Park, and Lake Merritt. Through a lens of radical optimism, the Trash Falcons transform the discarded debris of urban life into works that are at once whimsical, provocative, and profoundly beautiful. By elevating found objects to the realm of fine art, this exhibition challenges us to confront our own hand in the ecological narrative and asks: What do we leave behind, and what beauty can we grow from the wreckage?

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
RSVP TODAY

Learn more about What We Sow.

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


You can indicate any accommodation needs or concerns when registering your child under the “Special Instructions about my child” section. You can also reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. By blending creativity with experiential learning, we inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

Your participation in these events not only nurtures your own creative potential but also supports our mission to provide equitable access to art and science programs for youth and families across Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. Learn more about us.

Support our work
Support our work
Support our work

What We Sow—A Trash Falcon Exhibition

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One person’s trash isn’t just treasure—it’s a masterpiece. What We Sow invites viewers into a reimagined landscape composed of the forgotten remnants of Adams Point, Lakeside Park, and Lake Merritt. Through a lens of radical optimism, the Trash Falcons transform the discarded debris of urban life into works that are at once whimsical, provocative, and profoundly beautiful.

By elevating found objects to the realm of fine art, this exhibition challenges us to confront our own hand in the ecological narrative and asks: What do we leave behind, and what beauty can we grow from the wreckage?

IN THE GALLERY

FEB 9 – APR 10

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The Main Gallery showcases the rigorous creativity of the Trash Falcons—a collective of artists, makers, and innovators who treat the streets of Oakland as their primary source material. Here, the “medium of trash” is expanded into a sophisticated survey of contemporary craft. From the ethereal blue of cyanotypes to the tactile weight of sculpture, these works prove that the life cycle of an object only ends when our imagination does.

Featuring the works of: Nick Berger, Sooz Chrzanowski, Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Dane Joyce, Anne McSilver, Kathleen Nay, Bonnie Prestridge, Margaret Rodriguez, and Richard Shirk.

IN THE BELLEVUE ROOM: THE TRASH MUSEUM OF TRASH (TFTMoT)

FEB 9 – MAR 6

In the Bellevue Room, the exhibition takes a turn toward the archival and the absurd. The world-famous The Trash Falcons Trash Museum of Trash presents a curated selection of “questionably historic” artifacts recovered during weekly missions. These objects—perhaps a pair of misplaced AirPods or a haunting orthodontic mold—are preserved behind glass as relics of a hidden Oakland history.

Within this space, visitors are invited to ascend the Throne of Pickers Past, an interactive installation celebrating the labor of the community picker. The TFTMoT Gift Shop will also be open during major events, offering attendees the opportunity to carry a piece of this reimagined history home.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Opening
Reception

Feb 13 6:30-8:30pm

  • Meet the Falcons, see both spaces fully activated!
  • Shop the TFTMoT Gift Shop, only available at events!
  • Light refreshments provided!
donate today →
donate today →
learn more →

TFTMoT
Closing Party

Mar 6 6-8pm

  • Last chance to see the TFTMoT in the Bellevue Room!
  • Shop the TFTMoT Gift Shop, only available at events!
  • Light refreshments provided!
donate today →
donate today →
learn more →

Grand Exhibition Closing Party

Apr 10 6-8pm

  • The last hurrah before the exhibition leaves the gallery!
  • Shop the TFTMoT Gift Shop, only available at events!
  • Light refreshments provided!
donate today →
donate today →
learn more →

About the Trash Falcons

The Trash Falcons are a grassroots collective committed to the stewardship of Oakland’s Adams Point, Lakeside Park, and Lake Merritt neighborhoods. They operate with optimism, positivity, and inclusivity to build community and enhance the town’s beauty. Their work showcases humor, love, and togetherness. They have fun on their expeditions, all sharing a common goal of showing up for their community.

Join the Flock: The community is invited to join the Falcons every Sunday at 9:00 AM at 400 Perkins St, Oakland.

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


If you have any accommodation needs or concerns, reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

Support Our Work

Support our nonprofit gallery space and help us continue fostering creativity, community, and access to the arts. Your contribution directly empowers emerging artists and makes inspiring exhibitions and programs possible for all.

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
Support our work

Karma Cinema at The New Parkway

Karma Cinema (IG 4 5)

We are very excited to be chosen as The New Parkway Theater’s Karma Cinema partner for the month of January!

Every Wednesday in January, 20% of all movie ticket sales at the The New Parkway Theater (474 24th St, Oakland) will be donated to the Junior Center of Art and Science! Folks can chose the amount they would like to pay and 20% goes directly to supporting our mission. This is great opportunity to not only support our cause, but support this awesome, local, indie theater!

The New Parkway Theater is a community-centered cinema and pub located in Oakland’s Uptown district. Patrons can sit back and relax on cozy couches while watching new releases, cult classics, and fabulous special programming. Plus, enjoy yummy food and local beer and wine at the café or delivered right to your theater seat, all at affordable prices!

Visit www.thenewparkway.com for movie times and advance tickets!

Mark(her) – Artist Talk with Gericault De La Rose

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Mark(her)

Friday, Jan 9th from 7-8pm

In this artist talk, Gericault De la Rose delves into her ongoing CTRL + F series, a body of work that transforms the bureaucratic tools of identity into intimate, large-scale meditations on survival. Created during a moment when trans people in America cannot update the gender markers on their passports, these tapestries confront how state documentation becomes both a gatekeeper and a locus of vulnerability—heightening exposure to violence, policing, and social scrutiny.

Situating the work within the current socio-economic climate, Gericault explores how class, migration, and access to institutional recognition shape whose identities are validated and whose are contested. The talk will also examine the cultural construction of “passing” and the paradoxes embedded within it: visibility as both protection and risk, assimilation as both safety strategy and erasure. Through this artist talk, Gericault considers what it means to craft a self in a society where legitimacy is often measured by paperwork, perception, and power.

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
RSVP TODAY

This artist talk is part of our The Holy T gallery exhibit. Learn more about The Holy T.

Meet the Artist

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Gericault De La Rose is a queer trans Filipinx, multidisciplinary artist, and educator.

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We’re committed to making all programs at the Junior Center of Art and Science accessible and inclusive. Our spaces are wheelchair-friendly, and we welcome learners of all abilities and learning styles. If you or your child need accommodations, please let us know—we’re happy to help! Read our Accessibility Statement here.


You can indicate any accommodation needs or concerns when registering your child under the “Special Instructions about my child” section. You can also reach out directly at contact@juniorcenter.org

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. By blending creativity with experiential learning, we inspire big ideas and illuminate the everyday connections between art and science.

Your participation in these events not only nurtures your own creative potential but also supports our mission to provide equitable access to art and science programs for youth and families across Oakland and the greater East Bay Area. Learn more about us.

Support our work
Support our work
Support our work

Why Creative Learning Works: A Parent’s Testimony from Junior Center

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“My son connects with the classes and teaching artists at Junior Center in a way that he doesn’t connect with any other activity or teacher in his life.” – Leah, Dean’s mom.

Maybe you can relate to Leah as a mom, or to her son Dean, and their not-so-positive experiences with traditional learning. Maybe you feel like your kid’s special spark never gets lit up by school or other after-school programs. 

This is why the Junior Center of Art and Science plays such an important and magical role in our students’ lives. We strive to ignite a unique spark in every one of our students. We need your donation support to do it.

Inclusivity is fundamental to our mission and a promise we keep by offering all our classes and camps at low or no cost. And every teaching artist at Junior Center is 100% committed to meeting each student where they are. Our fundamental mission is to make the exploration of the arts and science accessible for all. 

Leah’s son Dean has been coming to the Junior Center for after-school classes and summer camps for the past three years, since he was six years old. His positive experiences at Junior Center have meant the world to Dean, and to his whole family. Leah explained why:

Dean struggles with connection and focus. As his mom, I was getting nonstop negative feedback from his school about how distracted and disengaged he was.

He became a different kid at the Junior Center. His first experience was carpentry, and at six years old it was thrilling for him to build things with his own two hands using a hand saw. 

At the end of camp, the teaching artist came to tell me, “Dean was so engaged the whole time, it was so fun to work with him!” Wow. That was a profound moment for us. Dean’s gifts were finally being inspired and appreciated by a teacher. It was so awesome; I teared up.

Children of all ages and abilities are welcome at Junior Center, regardless of their learning style or family’s capacity to pay.

Will you make a gift today to keep Junior Center camps and classes accessible to all East Bay families?

The majority – 71% – of our students’ families receive some kind of financial assistance from the Junior Center. Donation support from community members like you make that generosity and accessibility possible, and we can’t do it without you.

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Book your RENTAL
Support our work