I’m back from my annual family trip to Tahoe, feeling refreshed and newly inspired. August is shaping up to be an exciting month for Meanderings, with a couple of new monthly series in the works, including regular artist interviews and profiles. Speaking of, if you’re a local artist who’d like to be featured, let me know.
As always, don't be shy to hype your stuff in the comments below. And if you make it to any of the featured events I'd love to hear about your experience!
East Bay
Everyday Encounters in the American Southeast
VENUE: Gallery Da Vinci - 608 Main St, STE G, Pleasanton, CA 94566
DATE/TIME: through Friday, August 7th
COST: FREE
San Francisco-based photographer Jiawei Zhou spent time traveling through New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston, and the resulting photographs read like one continuous journey rather than three separate cities. I love that his eye lands on windows, sidewalks, and reflections instead of the obvious landmarks, it’s the kind of quiet attentiveness I always want more of in travel photography.
I Watched Your Leaves Grow Silver in the Wind: Artist Reception
VENUE: Johansson Projects - 2300 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 7th, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
COST: FREE
Andrew Catanese is a painter based in Palo Alto. I’ve just discovered their work, and am smitten, particularly with the colors, and with the way Catanese’s running practice informs their art. As an on-again, off-again running enthusiast, I’m inspired by the idea that running itself can be a kind of creative practice.
Don’t Look Under The Bed: Group Show & Open Studios
VENUE: Lucky Break Studios - 5209 E 8th St, Oakland, CA 94601
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 8th, 12:00PM - 5:00PM
COST: FREE
Lucky Break is a Fruitvale studio and gallery space I haven't featured before. I’m excited to see their space in person!
Orpheus Descending
VENUE: Oakland Theater Project - 1501 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland CA 94612
DATE/TIME: Thu–Sat + Sunday August 9th @ 7:00PM, Sunday August 16th + 23rd @ 2:00PM
COST: $40 GA (PWYC $10 & $20 tickets also available)
Oakland Theater Project has a way of bringing older texts to life, revealing their continued relevancy and insight into the human condition and the American experiment. This summer, they’re taking on Tennessee William’s retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, Orpheus Descending.
Oaklash Pride Block Party
VENUE: Calabash - 2300 Valdez Street Ste A, Oakland, CA 94612
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 14th, 5:00PM - 10:00PM
COST: $10
Celebrate the start of Oakland Pride weekend with my friends at Oaklash. Expect DJs, drag, live music, art and local vendors.
Richmond Open Studios
VENUE: Richmond Art Center - 2540 Barrett Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 15th, 11:00AM - 5:00PM
COST: FREE
Richmond’s annual Open Studios takes place over two weekends this month. Start with the courtyard show at the Art Center, or use their guide to curate a tour of specific studios.
The Final Push: Opening Reception
VENUE: Mercury 20 Gallery - 475 25th Street, Oakland CA 94612
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 15th, 3:00PM - 5:00PM
COST: FREE
Cade Salamanca’s second show at Mercury 20 is “a celebration of self-acceptance, courage, and transformation,” informed by the artists own journey towards greater self-definition and freedom. Also worth adding to your calendar? The Artist Talk on Saturday the 29th, from 3:00PM – 5:00PM.
(( CAMERA NOISE )) : Group Exhibition & Book Fair
VENUE: Warehouse 416 Gallery - 416 26th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 29th, 5:00PM - 9:00PM
COST: FREE
This reader submission from Aidan Jung quickly shot to the top of my must-see list! Daydream Darkroom supports QTBIPOC photographers. They’re popping up in Warehouse 416 for a one-night exhibition and independent photo book fair featuring ten Bay Area artists whose work spans analog, alternative printing, and experimental processes. There will also be local publishers and zine makers tabling all evening, along with a DJ, snacks, and a large-format, instant 4x5 Polaroid portrait station!
San Francisco
Gray Area Cultural Incubator Showcase: Opening Night
VENUE: Gray Area / Grand Theater - 2665 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 5th, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
COST: $30 (sliding scale)
Eleven Bay Area artists close out Gray Area's 2026 Cultural Incubator with AI-driven pieces, immersive game-engine experiences and experimental platforms. The best part? Visitors are invited to play and test many of the platforms personally.
after Albers: Opening
VENUE: 120710 - 1207 Tenth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 22nd, 4:00PM - 7:00PM
COST: FREE
120710 is a new-to-me experimental gallery in Berkeley.
“AFTER ALBERS explores echoing motifs of abstraction, color theory, and modularity through the practices of 16 artists. Individually, each artist’s work creates a world of its own, asking viewers to slow down to experience the moments of play and perfection.”
Swimming!
VENUE: Chandler Gallery - 1275 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA
DATE/TIME: through Thursday, August 27th
COST: FREE
Fifteen artists take on the strange, ordinary experience of being in water, as sport, ritual, transcendence, and everything in between.
State of Play: Opening Night Performances & After Party
VENUE: ODC Dance - B. Way Theater - 3153 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 28th, 7:00PM
COST: $60 GA
ODC’s annual dance festival returns with premieres and works-in-progress from the Bay Area and national choreographers. If you can’t make opening night, there are several other performances and workshops planned through Sunday the 30th.
Old Tricks
VENUE: Upper Market Gallery - 4690 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
DATE/TIME: through Friday, August 28th, Saturdays 12:00PM - 3:00PM
COST: FREE
My pick for an SF must-see. The show brings together nine California-based animation artists to re-explore the centuries-old foundations of moving image technology. Go peek at the previews. I think you’ll be as delighted as me!
The Dome Show
VENUE: di Rosa SF - 1150 25th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
DATE/TIME: through Saturday, September 12th
COST: $10
This celebration of artist-led communities will take place in The Dome, a live-work community founded in 1976 by sculptor, Peter Voulkos. Once a food processing factory, Voulkos transformed the space into a communal site that is still active today. As the Bay continues to edge artists out and live-work spaces become increasingly scarce, this show feels especially timely.
Sacramento
Coordinates: Dispatch
VENUE: 1616 28th Street Sacramento, CA, 95816
DATE/TIME: opens Saturday August 8th, 12:00PM –10:00 PM
COST: $26 GA
Stephen and I are proud sponsors of this one! Curated by my friend, Faith J. McKinnie, the show transforms Sacramento's long-vacant Fire Alarm Dispatch Station into a site-responsive group show, with newly commissioned work from over thirty Sacramento artists. If you see anything in SAC this month, make it Coordinates.
Art Pop Market
VENUE: Flower Fist - 1819 E St, Sacramento, CA 95811
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 8th, 4:00PM - 8:00PM
COST: FREE
With 40 Sacramento artists participating, there’s bound to be a piece for everyone at Flower Fist’s upcoming market.
15th Annual Banana Festival
VENUE: Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum - 3855 E. Park Road, Sacramento, CA 95822
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 15th, 10:00AM - 7:00PM & Sunday, August 16th, 10:00AM - 5:30PM
COST: $10
Support one of Sacramento’s treasures, the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum at their 15th Annual Banana Festival, celebrating the countries and cultures where bananas grow. There will be live reggae music, art, and diverse vendors.
𝘾𝙃𝙖𝙍𝙈𝙎 / Extra Sweet
VENUE: Prism Art Space - 2120 K St, Sacramento, CA 95816
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 15th, 6:00PM - 10:00PM
COST: $10-$20 donation
Benefitting Sacramento’s Trans & Queer Youth Collective, this Queer Dance Party will include a drag show, dj sets, and a riso-only art exhibit about trinkets, accessories, and self-expression.
Art Happening: Scrapbook Zine
VENUE: The Atelier - 2118 19th St, Sacramento, CA 95818
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 21st, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
COST: $65
The Atelier is one of the latest additions to the Sacramento art scene, and I’m eager to visit their space. This Scrapbook Zine class is perfect for a girls night or creative reset.
Together Again, 1960-2026: Perspectives from UC Davis’ Fine Arts Collection
VENUE: Manetti Shrem - 254 Old Davis Road, Davis, CA 95616
DATE/TIME: August - ongoing
COST: FREE
Together Again features new additions to the university’s Fine Arts Collection. Catch the Woody De Othello and Out of Line shows too when you make the trip!
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This guide was written in collaboration with my friend and editor, Mallory Taylor. To learn more about Mallory and her work, visit her Substack: This Could Be Embarrassing.
Are you an artist who’d like to be spotlighted in a future newsletter? Or perhaps you know of a fantastic, upcoming arts event? For press inquiries of all kinds, please shoot us a DM.
lets go!!!