ThursDates at OMCA with Watermelon Couch Pop-Up Talk & Art Making w/ That Art Party
ThursDates at OMCA | Watermelon Couch Pop-Up Talk, Art Making w/ That Art Party, DJ Set by La Femme Papi, and Gallery Chats
February 26 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Adults 18+
Unwind into a reflective and creativeThursDates evening at OMCA, where conversation, art-making, and music unfold at an easy pace. Spend time with The Watermelon Couch, a traveling exhibition and interactive project that transforms lived experience into shared knowledge. Join creator James Shields alongside cooperative development leader Adrionna Fike inside our special exhibition Black Spaces:Reclaim & Remain for a thoughtful pop-up discussion that draws on years of stories gathered from Black farmers and communities across the country to explore themes of local agriculture, collective power, and sustainable futures.
In Town Fare, That Art Party invites BIPOC adults into a playful, pressure-free art experience rooted in joy, care, and creative release. Designed to loosen perfectionism and invite connection, the space encourages crafting simply for the pleasure of it. Throughout the evening,La Femme Papi sets the tone with a warm, expansive DJ set that centers joy and healing.
In addition, every ThursDates at OMCA offers a rich gallery experience with Gallery Chats from 5:30–7:30 pm. Unlike traditional tours, these conversations invite you to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage with OMCA facilitators who blend content expertise with lived experience. Gallery Chats take place in all of our galleries—including our Special Exhibitions—and are included with Museum and Special Exhibition admission. This is a night made for celebrating creativity, community, and culture in every form.
Program Schedule:
5:30–7:30 pm Gallery Chats | All Galleries
5:30–7:30 pm Drop-In Art Making w/ That Art Party | Town Fare
5:30–7:30 pm DJ Set w/ La Femme Papi | Town Fare
6:30–7:15 pm Watermelon Couch Pop-Up Talk | Great Hall Entrance
About ThursDates
Every Thursday, January through March, step into OMCA’s warm after-hours glow. Experience a rotating mix of intimate performances, live figure drawing sessions, game nights, and more—designed just for adults. Or sip a signature cocktail and grab a light bite in Town Fare by Michele McQueen, all to a soundtrack of local Oakland artists and DJs.
Whether you’re exploring the Museum with a date, catching up with friends, or are coming solo and looking to meet someone new, you’ll find connection, inspiration, and creative surprises, week after week.
Accessibility
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event.
Performer BIOS
James Shield is an artist, designer, and educator based in Oakland. Specializing in illustrations, murals, soft sculpture, and coloring books, his journey into art began after being laid off from his corporate job following his graduation from Howard University. In 2009, he decided to pursue his passion for art as his “real job,” a turning point that led him through a rich tapestry of professional and personal experiences.
Adrionna Fike is a cooperative developer with Cooperation Richmond and a former co-owner of Mandela Grocery Cooperative in West Oakland. She designs and facilitates cooperative education using art-based and popular education methods. Her work makes cooperative models practical, memorable, and grounded in daily personal and community practice.
Naomi Fierro Peña (she/her/ella) is a queer, Mexican-American artist, facilitator, and community-curator who specializes in creating artful wellness spaces for BIPOC adults. After a decade as an educator—teaching ethnic studies, bilingual social studies, and leading DEI initiatives at Lick-Wilmerding High School—Naomi redirected her passion into founding That Art Party. As Founder & CEO, she’s on a mission to help BIPOC adults ritualize creative self-care and break free from perfectionism and toxic grind culture.
La Femme Papi is a non-binary, first-generation Salvadoran American DJ, youth worker, and community healer. They were born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District (Yelamu), the unceded ancestral land of the Ramaytush Ohlone people. Their work centers joy and healing for immigrants, as well as queer and trans people of color dedicated to collective liberation. They’re the current resident DJ at Clutch the Pearls, a QTBIPOC drag cabaret in the Mission, and have held residencies with iconic Bay Area parties including Soulovely, Puti Club, and Queer Qumbia.
Sponsor
Major support for ThursDates at OMCA is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board.
