Tag: All Ages

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 26th

Time: 12pm – 3pm

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

Cost: Free!

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

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
RSVP today

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.

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
Support our work
Missed out on this workshop? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about SATURDAYS at the LAB!
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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

Are you a Scientist? Volunteer at the STEAM FAIR!

We are looking for professional scientists, engineers, naturalist and tech experts to help spark that same curiosity and support children engage in fun science activities to celebrate Earth Day at the Junior Center of Art and Science STEAM Fair!

ASK:  We are looking to recruit volunteers who are professionals and experts in the STEM field to help us facilitate a STEAM station. We would offer an orientation on how to lead your respective STEAM station.

Our goal is to pair your expertise with hands-on discovery to show students (ages 6 – 13) that science isn’t just in a textbook—it’s in the real world. Deadline to sign up is Monday, March 23

  • DATE: Saturday, April 18
  • TIME: 11 AM – 2 PM
  • WHERE: Junior Center of Art and Science, 558 Bellevue Ave at Lake Merritt (Oakland, CA)
  • GOAL: Lead a “Discovery Station” featuring a simple experiment or demonstration related to your field.
SUPPORT OUR WORK TODAY
SUPPORT OUR WORK TODAY
Sign up to volunteer
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

Scrappy Birds Collage

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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

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

Name our Bearded Dragon Contest!

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!

Creek to Bay Day 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.

Contact us
Contact us
RSVP
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

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

Made in the East Bay Square
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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.

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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

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  • $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
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.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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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

Time and Place: Poetry and Bookmaking Workshop for Families

Sept 6th 2
Time and Place: Poetry & Bookmaking Workshop. A Family Workshop. Saturday, September 6th 10am-12pm

Participants will combine poetry and drawing to create their own handmade books. We’ll explore simple bookbinding techniques, using stitching and folding to assemble personalized booklets to be filled with memories. Books will include drawings and free-verse poetry. The drawings will have a focus on linework, emphasizing confidence of line and contour drawing. There will be creative writing exercises focused on sensory descriptions of familiar spaces. The focus is on creative expression and blending words with visual art in a fun, low-pressure environment. This workshop is specifically for families.

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
Register TODAY

A Home After All Workshop

This community workshop is part of our Home After All gallery exhibit. Learn more about Home After All.

Meet the Artist

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Gracianne Kirsch is an Oakland-based queer and trans artist working in the mediums of painting, drawing, poetry, and video. Kirsch received their BA in Art Practice and Social Welfare at University of California Berkeley in 2022, and their MFA in Art Studio from University of California Davis in 2024. 

Kirsch’s work has been shown at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, Basement Gallery at UC Davis, Pence Gallery, and Worth Ryder Gallery. Kirsch will be featured in an upcoming show at 120710 Art Space.

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.


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
Missed out on this workshop? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about SATURDAYS at the LAB!
Sign up for newsletter
Sign up for newsletter
Sign up for newsletter

Tend : Share : Grow

Saturday May3rd 6:00 8:00 pm

Tend : Share : Grow is an open dialogue forum with the Sprout & Bloom artists: Lana Williams, Alex Arzt, and Sigrid Hubbell. Come join these artists as they talk “shop” about plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and all the many forms of gardening care that are a part of their art practice, and daily life. Patrons are welcomed and encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with plants and gardening.

The Sprout & Bloom exhibition is on view now until May 23. 

The Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to cultivating curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and sciences. Our gallery space is curated to connect professional artists with our local creative community. Our exhibits showcase local, emerging artists and include hands-on community workshops—because art is meant to be experienced, not just observed. Your participation directly empowers emerging artists and makes inspiring exhibitions and programs possible for all.

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

Create & Protest: Community Poster-Making Event!

Saturday, April 26 12 - 3 PM Junior Center of Art and Science 558 Bellevue Ave. Oakland, CA

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 screen printing 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 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 26th

Time: 12pm – 3pm

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

Cost: Free!

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

Meet the Artist

Yael Levy is a mixed media artist, storyteller, printmaker and art teacher based in Berkeley, CA. She believes the creative process to be its own reward and the act of making an incredible tool for healing and growing.

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.

Book your RENTAL
Book your RENTAL
Support our work
Missed out on this workshop? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about SATURDAYS at the LAB!
Sign up for newsletter
Sign up for newsletter
Sign up for newsletter