Category: Events

Name our Bearded Dragon Contest!

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date September 8, 2025

Name our Bearded Dragon Contest 2025 IG

Name our Bearded Dragon Contest 2025 Flyer

We have a new animal friend—a bearded dragon! Stop by to meet her and help us choose her name.

Saturdays, Sept 6 – Oct 4 10am – 4pm

This will also kick off a standing lunch with our reptiles. Stop by at noon for a live feeding!

The winning name will be displayed on a special plaque next to her enclosure, and the winner will also receive a special STEAM prize!

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@juniorenter.org

Celebrate Creek to Bay Day 2025 with us!

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date September 4, 2025

Creek to Bay Day 2025

We are happy to announce that the Junior Center of Art and Science will be participating in Creek to Bay Day this year!

Creek to Bay Day is a day of watershed cleanups, education, and commitment to practices to keep our city and water clean, from creek, to bay, and beyond! Be part of a citywide day of action as we roll up our sleeves to clean and green Oakland’s creeks, shorelines, parks, and neighborhoods.

We’ll gather at 10:00 AM on Saturday, Sept 20th at our center (558 Bellevue Ave.). We’ll work alongside our neighbors at the Rotary Nature Center to restore our shared outdoor spaces and Lake Merritt’s shoreline. Projects include trash removal, habitat restoration, and beautification.

The 30th annual Oakland Creek to Bay Day is part of California and International Coastal Cleanup Day. By participating, you’ll not only make a positive impact on our community but also help protect our creeks, bay, ocean, and beaches.

Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.

RSVP

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

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

Made in the East Bay: Fueling the next generation of artists, makers, and scientists

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date August 25, 2025

Made in the East Bay Square

Rediscover the Junior Center at Made in the East Bay, an evening celebrating creativity and curiosity. This one-night fundraiser supports the Junior Center for Art and Science mission to provide a place of belonging—where creativity flourishes and every young person has the opportunity to explore, create, and experiment.

Saturday, October 4, 2025, 6-9 pm
at Junior Center for Art and Science in Lakeside Park
558 Bellevue Ave. Oakland, CA, 94610

About the event

Enjoy our 3rd annual art sale featuring works by local artists, and don’t miss the youth art showcase—where you can explore the next generation of East Bay creators, thinkers, and changemakers.

Sample bites and drinks from all around Oakland, connect with the community, and experience the vibrant work of East Bay Artists.

Together, we’re building accessible, inclusive, and equitable programs that empower youth through hands-on exploration in the arts, science, and technology. All proceeds from the event benefit our scholarship programs.

TICKETS

$25 Early Bird
$35 General Admission
$50 Super Supporter Ticket – gets you 2 free drinks, plus knowing you have helped preserve a crucial cultural hub that fosters the growth of arts and science education in the community.

Book your RENTAL

BUY TICKETS TODAY

About the Art Sale

Made in the East Bay is a curated selection of art from local contemporary artists, all graciously donated and priced under $500.

Proceeds support scholarship opportunities for youth to attend our popular camps, after-school programs, and workshops. Each year, our programs reach over 5,000 young people and their families throughout the East Bay. Sliding scale is available for all our offerings, and 71% of families take advantage of the scholarships we provide.

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

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

Support our work

Afrofuturism Fashion & Art Show Fundraiser

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date March 12, 2025

Welcome to the Afrofuturism Fashion & Art Show Fundraiser!

Come join us on Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM at the Junior Center Of Art & Science for a night of creativity and community.

BUY TICKETS Today

Support local artists and designers while enjoying a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates diversity and imagination. Begin the night with drinks & breathtaking views of Lake Merritt on the Junior Center’s twinkling decks. Shuffle into your seats fo a fashion procession inspired by the vibrant creativity of the Afrofuturism movement. Later shop the gallery for your next masterpiece to take home, all made by local artists. Dance the night away with the musical styling of DJ Tabu.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something truly special. All proceeds from this event support the Junior Center of Art and Science, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. Located in the heart of Oakland on the shores of Lake Merritt, the Center is dedicated to providing equitable access to art & science programs for all youth and their families throughout Oakland and the greater East Bay Area.

OUSD Winter Artist Market

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date November 25, 2024

Friday, December 6th 2024
11am – 2pm

at the Junior Center of Art and Science
558 Bellevue Ave. Oakland, CA

Oakland Unified School District and the Junior Center for Art and Science are thrilled to present the third annual OUSD Winter Artist Market! This one-day-only event will showcase the incredible talent of student artists from Oakland High, Oakland Tech, Skyline, Madison Park Academy, and United for Success Academy.

Explore a diverse array of unique and affordable handmade gifts created by our youth, including ceramics, soft sculptures, prints, greeting cards, original artworks, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to support emerging young artists while finding something special for yourself or loved ones this holiday season.

For many students, this will be their first experience marketing and selling their artwork, making your support especially meaningful. Stop by on your lunch hour to celebrate their creativity, shop local, and help support OUSD FAME Program!

This event is hosted by the Junior Center for Art and Science and presented by OUSD Fashion, Arts, Media and Entertainment (FAME) CTE Programs. OUSD offers six high school Linked Learning Pathways that provide college and career preparatory experiences in the media arts, studio arts, and design fields. For more information or questions, contact James Treacy at james.treacy@ousd.org.

YOU’RE INVITED From Ashes to Art: Reopening Fundraiser

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date August 16, 2024

Saturday, Sept. 28 6pm
at The Junior Center 558 Bellevue Ave

The Junior Center has finally reopened after three years of extensive repairs from two fires. Join us on Saturday, September 28th at 6pm to celebrate our legacy and support our future programming.

From Ashes to Art features a curated selection of art from local contemporary artists, all graciously donated and priced under $500. Proceeds support scholarship opportunities for youth to attend our popular camps, after-school programs, and workshops. Each year our programs reach over 5,000 young people and their families and throughout the East Bay. Sliding scale is available for all our offerings, and 60% of families take advantage of the scholarships we provide.

Experience our beautifully renovated space on Lake Merritt. At From Ashes to Art, you can enjoy drinks and dancing under the twinkling lights of our lakeview decks, participate in a Virtual World Building experience with our talented Teaching Artist Judit Navratil, explore the gallery for your next work of art, and visit the Trash Falcon exhibit in the Bellevue Room.

Your support makes a huge difference for East Bay youth and will help us expand opportunities for our community. We hope to see you there!

BUY TICKETS TODAY!

RISING FROM THE ASHES: THE ROUGH EDGES LIVE FOR JCAS

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date December 14, 2023

RISING FROM THE ASHES:
THE ROUGH EDGES LIVE FOR JCAS

Join us for Rising From The Ashes; a benefit concert for the Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) Building Repair Fund. As many know, our treasured home on Lake Merritt has suffered damage from two fires. Your attendance and contributions will directly support the final stages of our reconstruction efforts.

With your generous support, we will reach our goal of not only rebuilding but revitalizing our beloved venue, infusing it with a renewed sense of purpose and vibrancy for the whole community. ‘Rising from The Ashes’ is more than just a concert; it is a testament to the unwavering spirit of resilience that unites us all.

BUY TICKETS TODAY

HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS:

Contributes to the creation of specialized areas within our facility, such as dedicated labs, studios, or interactive exhibits, to ensure that the space remains relevant and equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Ensures the continuation of affordable access to arts and science integrated classes such as Carpentry, Creative Coding and Fashion Design through our sliding scale and scholarship funds.
Supports the restoration of a space that serves as a platform for fostering creativity and innovation among youth and adults alike.

You won’t want to miss this exciting night! The Rough Edges are a Classic Rock cover band specializing in high energy, deep-cut gems from the 1970s. The band features Juliana Birnbaum (vocals), Fausto DeSousa (percussion), Frank Gilbert (guitar), Harry Gray (guitar, vocals), Michael Hannah (bass, vocals), Fred Riley III (vocals) and Neil Sachs (drums, vocals).

Let the power of music and community uplift us as we embark on the next chapter of our shared story, revitalizing our home and reaffirming our commitment to fostering creativity and connection within our community.

BUY TICKETS TODAY

Old Oakland Celebrates – The Holidays!

Post author By Rachel Holmstrom
Post date November 8, 2021

We had such a blast at the last Oakland Celebrates Event, that we are doing it again!

We will be doing art activities for families in the courtyard of Swan’s Market. Stop by, say hi, make some cool art, and check out the other fabulous vendors!