BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) - ECPv6.15.16.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://museumca.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20240310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20241103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20260308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20261101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20270314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20271107T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250510T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250510T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224515 CREATED:20250415T001329Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T221629Z UID:10001881-1746878400-1746882000@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Tours: California AAPI History DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Tours: California AAPI History\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month\, come share your questions and reflections on key moments in California Asian American history and explore how the causes and consequences of these events still reverberate today. What are the many ways Asian Americans have contributed to the “Becoming California” story in OMCA’s Gallery of California History? How might more Asian American stories be uplifted and heard? Come join the conversation in this month’s Member Gallery Chat with Margaret Yee. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that tour spots are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in so get here early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacilitator\n\n\n\n\n\nMargaret Yee has been volunteering at OMCA since 2017\, first as a History gallery docent and now as a School Programs and Gallery Chats Facilitator. A former high school teacher and museum educator\, Margaret enjoys doing Gallery Chats because she loves the OMCA community and always learns something new from every conversation she has with a visitor. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-california-aapi-history/ LOCATION:OMCA Great Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2022_OMCA_HistoryGallery_Visitor_PC_AndrewJorgensenOAKLAND_MUSEUM_CA_JORGPHOTO_20220708_151343_7568-4-e1744675986463.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250515T230000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250518T225959 DTSTAMP:20260421T224515 CREATED:20250415T190245Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T162547Z UID:10001883-1747350000-1747609199@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Bonus Reciprocity Weekend with Gardens of Golden Gate Park DESCRIPTION:Member Bonus Reciprocity Weekend: The Gardens of Golden Gate Park \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCelebrate two incredible Bay Area institutions\, the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) and Gardens of Golden Gate Park\, with a bonus reciprocity weekend\, May 16 to 18! OMCA Members will enjoy free admission for themselves and a guest to three remarkable gardens—Conservatory of Flowers\, Japanese Tea Garden\, and San Francisco Botanical Garden.  \n\n\n\nExplore the beauty of rare and unusual plants at the Conservatory of Flowers\, find serenity at the historic Japanese Tea Garden\, and marvel at the world of plants at the SF Botanical Garden—all in one park. Simply present your OMCA membership card at the ticketing kiosk and enjoy. No reservation is required. \n\n\n\nPlus\, enjoy 20% off tickets to Noticing Nature with Local Artist Hollis Callas and Sketching with Sami on Saturday\, May 17. Check your email for the promo code. \n\n\n\nQuestions or comments? Please contact the OMCA Membership team at membership@museumca.org or 510-318-8520. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: courtesy of Gardens of Golden Gate Park URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-bonus-reciprocity-weekend-with-gardens-of-golden-gate-park/ LOCATION:Gardens of Golden Gate Park\, 1199 9th Avenue\, San Francisco\, California\, 94122\, United States CATEGORIES:Offsite,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/gif:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ezgif.com-animated-gif-maker-6.gif END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250518T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250518T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224515 CREATED:20250415T003004Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T183448Z UID:10001882-1747573200-1747578600@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: Screening of The School: The Legacy of Hintil Ku’u Ca and Panel Talk with School Participants and Film Director DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: Screening of The School: The Legacy of Hintil Ku’u Ca and Panel Talk with School Participants and Film Director\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for the premiere of The School: The Legacy of Hintil Ku’u Ca\, a powerful film created and directed by an all-Native team. This documentary traces the origins of Oakland’s first urban Native child development center\, which began during the All-Tribes occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) and is still in operation today. \n\n\n\nThe afternoon will begin with a traditional drum and dance offering from J.J. Ahboah (Kiowa/Cheyenne) and Teresa Littlebird (Northern Cheyenne)\, followed by the film screening. \n\n\n\nAfterward\, a panel featuring those who attended\, taught\, and shaped The School—Linda Aranaydo (Muscogee Creek/Kialegee Tribal Town/Bear Clan & Filipina)\, Lisa McKay (Pomo/Wailaki/Wintun)\, Kevin Nez (Navajo)\, and language carrier for her Tribe\, Deja Gould (Chochenyo/Confederated Villages of Lisjan)—will engage in a discussion about cultural reawakening and language preservation. The conversation will be moderated by the film’s director and Hintil Ku’u Ca student and teacher\, Mike J. Marin (Navajo/Laguna Pueblo/Washoe). \n\n\n\nThis event is part of our exhibition programming for  Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California—on view through June 2025. Don’t miss it! \n\n\n\n\ngeneral TICKETS\n\n\n\nMEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelist and Performer Bios\n\n\n\nDeja Gould (Chochenyo/Confederated Villages of Lisjan) was born and raised in her traditional territory in the East Bay\, in the village of Huchiun. Deja is a core member of the administrative office team and a land team lead. Deja is the Chochenyo language carrier for her Tribe the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation\, she enjoys bringing her children to the land to connect with soil and life around them\, seed save and learn about traditional plant use. \n\n\n\nMike J. Marin (Navajo/Laguna Pueblo/Washoe) is an award-winning indie filmmaker who attended Hintil in the mid 1970’s and  returned back to Hintil as a teacher from 1998 – 2002.  \n\n\n\nKevin Nez (Navajo) has worked for Southwest Airlines for over 30 years and attended Hintil in the  mid 1970’s.  \n\n\n\nLisa McKay (Pomo/Wailaki/Wintun) currently works in health care for Alameda County and attended The School  (which became Hintil) when it was founded on Alcatraz Island during the occupation in  the early 1970’s.  \n\n\n\nLinda Aranaydo (Muscogee Creek/Kialegee Tribal Town/Bear Clan/Hillubee Ceremonial Ground) was a teacher at Hintil in the 1970’s. Her brother Kanuto “Sonny” Aranaydo helped establish Hintil in East Bay when it moved from Alcatraz in the 1970s. \n\n\n\nTeresa Littlebird (Northern Cheyenne) is an Oakland native and carries the Cheyenne name Vóemé’ėhné’e\, meaning “First Appearing Woman.” She is a northern traditional dancer\, wearing a hand-crafted buckskin dress adorned with beadwork in traditional Cheyenne colors and designs — all of which she designs and creates herself. Each summer she travels the powwow trail celebrating culture. Beyond her cultural work\, Teresa serves her community as a special education paraprofessional in Oakland Unified School District and supports special needs children in their homes and communities. \n\n\n\nThomas Phillips (Kiowa/Muscogee Creek/Hualapai/Navajo)\, lives in California’s San Joaquin Central Valley and is a proud father of six. As a member of the Kiowa Gourd Clan and President of the Silver State Gourd Society\, he is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich culture of the southern plains. Alongside his work as an operations manager\, Thomas teaches cultural classes\, including powwow dance styles and protocols\, to Native youth. He is honored to have served in many roles on the powwow trail—including head dancer\, head singer\, arena director\, and head judge. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-screening-of-the-school-the-legacy-of-hintil-kuu-ca-and-panel-talk-with-school-participants-and-film-director/ LOCATION:OMCA Lecture Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250712T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250712T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224515 CREATED:20250606T183237Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250606T183238Z UID:10002170-1752321600-1752325200@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Tours: Women Artists of the OMCA Gallery of California Art DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Tours: Women Artists of the OMCA Gallery of California Art\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a woman-focused walk through the art gallery with Gallery Chats facilitator\, Avril Angevine. Take a deep dive into the background of some of California’s best—and least—known women artists. Delight in their mesmerizing work and hear stories about their lives\, practices\, and challenges. Featuring artists Sonia Getchoff\, Viola Frey\, Carmen Lomas Garza\, Hung Liu\, Margaret Peterson\, and Ann Weber. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that tour spots are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in so get here early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacilitator\n\n\n\n\n\nAvril Angevine is an OMCA Gallery Chats Facilitator and a lifelong art aficionado with a particular interest in modern\, contemporary\, and California art. She speaks on art subjects at various locations in the Bay Area\, including the OLLI programs at Santa Clara University\, Dominican College\, San Francisco State\, and the Fromm Institute. Avril has a BA in English and an MA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and taught English and Humanities at local colleges. She is also a museum guide at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art\, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art\, and the Oakland Museum of California. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-women-artists-of-the-omca-gallery-of-california-art/ LOCATION:OMCA Great Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2021_OMCA_Gallery-of-California-Art_Hung-Liu_Photo-Cedit_-Leopoldo-Macaya_6U4A1563-1-e1749234706910.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T163000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224515 CREATED:20250515T202458Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T170810Z UID:10002165-1752750000-1752769800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Preview for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Member Preview Hours\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou’re invited to the Member Opening for OMCA’s newest exhibition! Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain navigates the braided histories of displacement\, resistance\, and resilience within Black American communities in Oakland and the East Bay. Through works from the OMCA permanent collection alongside new commissions by artist Adrian Burrell\, architect June Grant with blinkLAB architecture\, as well as the Archive of Urban Futures and Moms 4 Housing\, the exhibition traces how Black communities have creatively resisted dispossession and reimagined spaces of home and belonging. Reserved tickets are highly encouraged but not required for Member Preview Hours. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRESERVE MEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nMajor support for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*Header image: Marion Coleman\, Homes On Fire\, 2014\, Textile\, Hayward Area Historical Society \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nMajor support for Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Oakland Museum Women’s Board. This project was also made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-preview-for-black-spaces-reclaim-remain/ LOCATION:California CATEGORIES:Ticketed,Opening,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Homes-on-Fire-e1747332754145.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250717T210000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224515 CREATED:20250515T202556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T180704Z UID:10002164-1752775200-1752786000@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Preview Evening Celebration for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Member Preview Celebration\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, our evening celebration is at capacity. We are thankful for the overwhelming support and excitement around this new exhibition. We still have availability for the Daytime Preview Hours from 11–5 pm\, or join us at Friday Nights for the public opening! \n\n\n\nBlack Spaces: Reclaim & Remain navigates the braided histories of displacement\, resistance\, and resilience within Black American communities in Oakland and the East Bay. Through works from the OMCA permanent collection alongside new commissions by artist Adrian Burrell\, architect June Grant with blinkLAB architecture\, as well as the Archive of Urban Futures and Moms 4 Housing\, the exhibition traces how Black communities have creatively resisted dispossession and reimagined spaces of home and belonging. \n\n\n\nWe will be celebrating with the curators and collaborators who have helped make this exhibition possible. Join us for light bites\, live music\, and a cash bar. \n\n\n\nRSVP required for the evening celebration. Capacity is limited. QUESTIONS? Email membership@museumca.org or call 510-318-8520. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSOLD OUT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nMajor support for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*Header image: Marion Coleman\, Homes On Fire\, 2014\, Textile\, Hayward Area Historical Society \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nMajor support for Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Oakland Museum Women’s Board. This project was also made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-preview-evening-celebration-for-black-spaces-reclaim-remain/ LOCATION:California CATEGORIES:Ticketed,Opening,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Homes-on-Fire-e1747332754145.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250720T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250720T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250606T181338Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T233859Z UID:10002169-1753016400-1753021800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: I Was There Too: A Performance by Meres-Sia Gabriel\, Child of the Black Panther Party Revolution DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: I Was There Too: A Performance by Meres-Sia Gabriel\, Child of the Black Panther Party Revolution\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI Was There Too is a unique multimedia performance about one woman’s inner revolution as she struggles to understand what it means to have been born into the Black Panther Party. Daughter of two Black Panthers (Emory Douglas and Gayle Dickson)\, Meres-Sia Gabriel shares a first-hand account of what it was like to grow up in a revolution that changed the course of history.  \n\n\n\nThrough family photographs\, archival images\, personal narratives\, live jazz and blues music\, and original poetry reminiscent of the Black Arts Movement\, Gabriel takes the audience on a soul-stirring journey. This performance weaves together a coming-of-age story shaped by powerful Black leaders and the impact of impoverishment\, secrecy\, and adults navigating the enormity of the movement. Gabriel’s showcase gives voice to the often-overlooked experience of the children of the Black Panther Party\, bringing awareness and healing to this softer side of the resistance.  \n\n\n\nI Was There Too is written\, performed\, and produced by Meres-Sia Gabriel. Directed by Ajuana Black and Musical Direction by Dr. Yafeu Tyhimba.  \n\n\n\n\nGENERAL TICKETS\n\n\n\nmember tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Meres-Sia Gabriel\n\n\n\nMeres-Sia Gabriel was born and raised in Oakland\, California. A graduate of Howard University and Middlebury College School in France / Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle\, Meres-Sia received her master’s in French and has taught French\, Language Arts\, Writing\, and Literature at various institutions. In addition to her artist practice\, she is a college French instructor\, a teacher consultant for the Bay Area Writing Project at UC Berkeley\, and the founder of Life-Changing Writing where she helps writers discover their literary voice.  \n\n\n\nShe has performed in the Kehinde Wiley and Lhola Amira exhibitions at the de Young Museum of San Francisco and the Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum of san Francisco. Her poetry is featured in the “Black Power” installation at the Oakland Museum of California. Her poetry has also been featured in exhibitions of the Zapantera Negra project in Cuba\, Chiapas\, Vienna\, and Spain. She is the bestselling author of a book of poetry and prose entitled I Twirl in the Smoke. And she is the co-author of the KQED and BE-IMAGINATIVE watch guide for the Emmy-nominated film When the Waters Get Deep.  \n\n\n\nShe contributed to the foreward of her father’s book Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas (Rizzoli Press) and toured with him for his exhibitions at Los Angeles MOCA\, New Museum in New York\, Urbis in Manchester\, UK\, and Universidad de la Tierra in Chiapas\, MX. As a child of the Black Panther Party\, Meres-Sia grew up in a movement that believed art should have a social message. Likewise\, her work as a writer and performer beckons us to an inner revolution of self-reflection and personal healing.  \n\n\n\nMeres-Sia is a 2023 recipient of grant awards from the California Arts Council\, Center for Cultural Power\, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts\, which have allowed her to write and produce this one-woman show about her experiences growing up in the Black Panther Party. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Ajuana Black\n\n\n\nAjuana Black is a powerhouse performer whose vibrant presence lights up every stage she touches. With over two decades of musical theater experience\, she has starred in productions such as Dreamgirls (Lorrell)\, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlene)\, Once on This Island (Ti Moune)\, and Go Down Garvey. Ajuana also brought her dynamic storytelling to the screen\, playing young Johnnie Gibson in the CBS movie The Johnnie Gibson Story\, directed by Bill Duke and featuring Lynn Whitfield. Alongside her work in television and commercials\, she wrote\, produced\, and performed her own deeply personal one-woman show MamaHOOD Wings\, chronicling her journey into motherhood. Black’s creative impact extends behind the scenes as well—she directed and produced five full-scale middle school musicals\, including The Wiz and Annie. This season marks her second as director of I Was There Too  the powerful and revealing one-woman show written and performed by Meres-Sia Gabriel. When she is not onstage or directing\, audiences can catch her bringing down the house as the lead vocalist with some of the most entertaining\, top-tier cover bands in the Bay Area. Whether on stage or behind the scenes\, Black continues to uplift\, electrify\, and leave audiences moved—through both her commanding performances and her visionary collaborative work. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-i-was-there-too-a-performance-by-meres-sia-gabriel-child-of-the-black-panther-party-revolution/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Perfomance-Image.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250808T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250810T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250710T195509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T213756Z UID:10002194-1754650800-1754845200@museumca.org SUMMARY:Semi—Annual Member Shop Sale DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt’s sale time! Join us onsite and online for the semi-annual Member sale at the OMCA Shop. Starting Friday\, August 8 through Sunday\, August 10\, OMCA Members enjoy double their regular discount on regularly priced items in our Shop–that’s 20% off! \n\n\n\nExplore our full range of gifts available at the OMCA Shop and show your Membership card at check-out. The OMCA Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm and Friday Nights until 8:30 pm. \n\n\n\nFor our online shoppers\, be sure to check your Member emails for exclusive coupon codes that unlock your discounts when you shop online. \n\n\n\nOakland PrideShow your Oakland love with locally made art\, exclusive branded beanies\, hoodies\, and tees—rooted in community pride. \n\n\n\nBlack Spaces: Reclaim & RemainCelebrate our newest exhibition with thoughtfully curated books\, prints\, and gifts that honor Black stories\, spaces\, and voices. \n\n\n\nSummer VibesAdventure awaits! Discover field guides\, birding books\, and summer reads perfect for exploring Oakland’s neighborhoods and beyond. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLET’S SHOP\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\n*20% off applies to regularly priced items only. A limited number of items are available online. For the full collection of OMCA products\, please visit the OMCA Shop onsite during regular Museum hours. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/semi-annual-member-shop-sale-8-25/ LOCATION:OMCA Great Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Shop,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Omca_july17_july18-134-e1753825064831.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250809T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250809T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250710T200838Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T163552Z UID:10002195-1754740800-1754744400@museumca.org SUMMARY:Cancelled—Member Tours: Students on Strike Curator Walkthrough  DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCancelled—Member Tours: Students on Strike Curator Walkthrough \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. We apologize for the inconvenience and invite you to join our Gallery Chats happening on both Friday and Saturday.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a walkthrough of the Gallery of California History feature Students on Strike with OMCA Curator Ryder Diaz. This exhibition explores the enduring legacy of student activism at San Francisco State University by highlighting the similarities and differences between the historic 1968-1969 student strike that established the nation’s first Black Studies Department and first College of Ethnic Studies and the contemporary campus protests against the war in Gaza. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that spaces are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in. Arrive early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacilitator\n\n\n\n\n\nRyder Diaz (he/they) is OMCA’s Natural Sciences Curator. They have helped to develop science-related exhibitions at Bay Area museums for the past decade. Ryder brings an interdisciplinary background and approach to his work: He has degrees in Science Communication\, Population Biology\, Metropolitan Studies\, and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Outside of OMCA\, Ryder co-organizes a monthly bird walk for queer and trans people of color\, as well as facilitates an all-volunteer\, creekside habitat-restoration project in the Fruitvale. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-students-on-strike-curator-walkthrough/ LOCATION:OMCA Great Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Illegal-speaker-near-AD-Building-1-e1743023095519.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250817T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250817T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250710T195958Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T200929Z UID:10002193-1755435600-1755441000@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: Rituals of Care Celebration with Artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong\, Cut Fruit Collective\, and Teaphile DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: Rituals of Care Celebration with Artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong\, Cut Fruit Collective\, and Teaphile\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis month\, Spotlight Sundays welcomes guests to join artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong for a free\, all-ages celebration in OMCA’s Oak Street Plaza. Wong’s colorful paintings amplify the diversity of her Asian heritage and the vibrant family histories of the AAPI women depicted in them. Under her playful mural\, titled Calling Home\, this lively event will explore rituals of community care with Wong and OMCA’s community partners Cut Fruit Collective and Teaphile.  \n\n\n\nEnjoy a traditional Gongfu tea ceremony while choosing from an assortment of fun activities\, including ‘make a wish’ origami\, handmade elder care cards\, and kite decorating. Visitors will be invited to write hopeful messages on beautifully designed cards and paper hearts to be distributed to seniors in Chinatown and Little Saigon.  \n\n\n\nThis event is a part of our feature programming for Ancestral Visions\, on view through February 2026\, and is made possible by the Harker Fund Artist Residency Program. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Chelsea Ryoko Wong\n\n\n\nChelsea Ryoko Wong (b. 1986\, Seattle\, WA) is a painter and muralist known for vibrant\, joyful celebrations of community\, ritual\, and seasonality. Inspired by Northern California and international travels\, the scenes in Wong’s paintings are infused with fantasy\, humor\, and imagination. Translating her printmaking background to the realm of painting\, Wong’s paintings are composed through a meticulous layering of form and figure.  \n\n\n\nWong attended Parsons School of Design\, New York and received her BFA in printmaking from California College of the Arts. She is the first recipient of the Hamaguchi Emerging Artists Fellowship award at Kala Art Institute\, Berkeley and was a 2022 finalist for SFMOMA’s esteemed SECA Art Award. She has participated in recent group exhibitions at the de Young\, San Francisco; Yerba Buena Center for the Arts\, San Francisco\, CA; Creativity Explored\, San Francisco\, CA; Chinese Cultural Center\, San Francisco\, CA; and Bolinas Museum\, CA. She has completed large-scale mural projects in San Francisco at Asana; La Cocina; Facebook Artist in Residence Program; and the Asian Art Museum. She was awarded the Harker Fund Residency in 2024 and will present a solo exhibition at the Oakland Museum of California in February 2025. Her work has been acquired by institutional and private collections including the de Young\, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Crocker Art Museum\, Sacramento\, CA\, and Bolinas Museum\, CA. Wong lives and works in the Mission District of San Francisco. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-rituals-of-care-celebration-with-artist-chelsea-ryoko-wong-cut-fruit-collective-and-teaphile/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CRW-member-tour-header.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250827T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250831T235959 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250818T210049Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T225505Z UID:10002203-1756252800-1756684799@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Bonus Reciprocity Week at BAMPFA DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us in a celebratory partnership between the Oakland Museum of California and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) with this bonus reciprocity week-long event!  \n\n\n\nFrom August 27–31\, OMCA Members enjoy free admission for 2 guests per membership and 50% off of current and future film screenings! Use code OMCA25 for film reservations online. \n\n\n\nBAMPFA is open 11 am–7 pm\, Wednesday through Sunday. \n\n\n\nNot a Member yet? Join Today! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCurrent Exhibitions Include:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRouted West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California \n\n\n\nRouted West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California traces the flow and flourishing of quilts in the context of the Second Great Migration through approximately one hundred quilts representing the work of eighty individuals\, many of them women. It is the first group show drawn from a transformative bequest of African American quilts that the museum received in 2019. \n\n\n\nGuided tours offered on 8/27 and 8/31 are first come\, first serve as there are no reservations. Please arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLee ShinJa: Drawing with Thread\n\n\n\nLee ShinJa: Drawing with Thread is the first North American survey of the work of the historically under-recognized Korean artist Lee ShinJa (b. 1930\, Uljin\, South Korea; lives and works in Seoul). Spanning more than five decades\, from the 1950s to the early 2000s\, the exhibition showcases the artist’s bold innovations in fiber through forty monumental textile works\, woven maquettes\, and preparatory sketches. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMATRIX 287 / Berenice Olmedo: To ti ên einai\n\n\n\nMATRIX 287 / Berenice Olmedo: To ti ên einai is the first museum exhibition in the United States for artist Berenice Olmedo (b. 1987\, Oaxaca\, Mexico; lives and works in Mexico City). Olmedo’s intimate yet commanding anthropomorphic assemblages with fused prostheses and orthotics urge a reconsideration of standardized expectations of bodies. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor gallery admission\, simply present your OMCA membership card at the Visitor Experience welcome counter and enjoy.   \n\n\n\nQuestion or comments? Please contact us at membership@museumca.org or 510-318-8520. Please note that BAMPFA is closed on Labor Day\, September 1. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: Daria Lugina/BAMPFA URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-bonus-reciprocity-at-bampfa-2025/ LOCATION:Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive\, 2155 Center St\, Berkeley\, California\, 94720\, United States CATEGORIES:Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/237A0019-copy-e1755644051772.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250913T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250913T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250808T230325Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T230353Z UID:10002201-1757764800-1757768400@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Tours: Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain Curator Walkthrough DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Tours: Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain Curator Walkthrough\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin OMCA’s Associate Curator of History\, Dania Talley\, for a walkthrough of Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain. Talley will share insights and stories behind this exciting must-see exhibition\, which documents and honors how Black communities have creatively resisted displacement and continue to shape spaces of belonging in the East Bay. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that spaces are limited. A sign-up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in. Arrive early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacilitator\n\n\n\n\n\nDania Talley is an experienced archaeologist with a Master of Arts in Historical Archaeology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from the University of Nevada\, Reno. Her professional background includes extensive work in collections management and public history\, with a particular emphasis on African American and Native American cultural heritage. As the Associate Curator of History at the Oakland Museum of California\, Dania leads the development of exhibition concepts and gallery installations\, oversees the stewardship of cultural collections\, and engages with community partners\, including the Museum’s Native Advisory Council. She plays a central role in research\, documentation\, and advancing inclusive\, community-centered curatorial strategies. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-black-spaces-reclaim-remain-curator-walkthrough/ LOCATION:OMCA Great Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Omca_july17_july18-146-e1754694137268.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250919T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250919T193000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250821T000213Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T184553Z UID:10002204-1758303000-1758310200@museumca.org SUMMARY:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCalling all Members! Join us for a special members’ lounge on the Upper Level Terrace\, overlooking our Garden in celebration of you! Mingle with fellow OMCA enthusiasts while enjoying light refreshments\, games\, and bingo\, where we’ll be giving away some amazing items from the OMCA Shop. Bring your friends and family and enjoy Friday Nights together! \n\n\n\nFriday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid \n\n\n\nFriday\, September 19 | 5-9 pm \n\n\n\nFriday Nights at OMCA are teaming with music\, art\, and lively conversation. Experience the vibrant sounds of Cuba with Yeny Valdés & TeamBahia\, blending timba\, salsa\, son\, and tropical fusion in an electrifying live set. Known as the former lead singer of the legendary Los Van Van\, Yeny’s powerhouse vocals bring soul\, rhythm\, and joy to the stage. In the Gallery of California Art\, Sketchboard Co. hosts open figure drawing sessions where all are welcome to sketch\, reflect\, and celebrate the beauty of the human form. Later\, DJ Digital KitKat keeps the energy high with groove-heavy mixes of funky edits\, smooth house\, and global beats. Throughout the evening\, Gallery Chats invite visitors to join meaningful conversations with OMCA facilitators\, offering fresh perspectives on the museum’s exhibitions. It’s not just a Friday night—it’s your Friday night at OMCA. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEVENT DETAILS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/friday-nights-members-lounge-9-2025/ LOCATION:OMCA Garden\, 1000 Oak Street\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Family,Free,Friday Nights at OMCA,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSF7836-e1755734501535.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250921T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250921T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250808T231435Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T182854Z UID:10002202-1758459600-1758465000@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: A Conversation on Black Fatherhood DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: A Conversation on Black Fatherhood with Siyah Mgoduka\, Jordan Thierry of the Black Fatherhood Project\, and Chris Johnson\, Co-Creator of Question Bridge: Black Males \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis month’s Spotlight Sundays invites you to a powerful exploration of Black fatherhood through the lens of three visionary artists\, each offering a unique perspective on its complexity and depth. Through film\, conversation\, and artistic reflection\, we’ll engage with some of the most nuanced and resonant realities of Black fatherhood today. \n\n\n\nWe’ll begin with the short film It’s a Pleasure to Meet You (2016)\, co-produced by South African filmmaker Sue Williamson and artist Siyah Mgoduka. In this film\, Mgoduka grapples with the loss of his father at the hands of Apartheid police and navigates what it means to step into fatherhood himself. \n\n\n\nAfter the screening\, the conversation continues with a dynamic panel featuring Mgoduka alongside Jordan Thierry\, whose acclaimed documentary The Black Fatherhood Project traces the history and evolution of the Black family\, and Chris Johnson\, co-creator of Question Bridge: Black Males\, a moving video installation where Black men share deeply personal reflections on family\, identity\, and generational wisdom. \n\n\n\nThis gathering is a celebration of intergenerational healing and Black father fellowship—an invitation to witness\, reflect\, and connect. \n\n\n\n\nGET TICKETS\n\n\n\nmember tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCollaborator Bios\n\n\n\nSiyah Mgoduka After studying Media Communication and Culture at NMMU\, Mgoduka went on to further his studies at City Varsity\, Cape Town\, in Film and Television Production. He then pursued a career in Fine Arts as an artist\, gallery assistant\, and museum preparator. His relocation from South Africa to the US has given him an advantageous insight regarding cross cultural discourses within South Africa and the Diaspora. Mgoduka is featured in artist Sue Williamson’s film shorts:  Can’t Remember\, Can’t Forget (2016)\, What is This Thing Called Freedom? (2016)\, and It’s a Pleasure to Meet You (2016) \, which examines how Mgoduka grapples with the loss of his father to the Apartheid police.  He is currently a museum preparator at The Oakland Museum of California. \n\n\n\nChris Johnson is a photographic and video artist\, educator\, curator\, and writer who studied photography with Ansel Adams\, Imogen Cunningham\, and Wynn Bullock. He served for 11 years as Chair of the Photography Program at the California College of the Arts\, where he is now Professor Emeritus\, and in 2025 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts. His work has been widely published and exhibited\, with pieces in the collections of the Center for Creative Photography\, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston\, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. In 2022\, his fine art photographic portraiture was featured in a solo exhibition at the Monterey Museum of Art. \n\n\n\nJohnson has held leadership roles including President of SF Camerawork Gallery\, Chair of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Commission under Jerry Brown\, and Director of the Mother Jones International Fund for Documentary Photography. He currently serves on the Board of the Oakland Museum of California and as Board President of the Alliance for Media Arts and Culture. He is the author of The Practical Zone System: for Film and Digital Photography (now in its 6th edition)\, and his public art projects are featured in Art as Social Practice: Technologies for Change. Johnson originated the Question Bridge concept in 1996\, later co-producing Question Bridge: Black Males—a project that won the International Center of Photography’s 2015 Infinity Award and\, in 2016\, was inducted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. \n\n\n\nJordan Thierry is a filmmaker\, writer\, and activist. He is the owner and Creative Director of Dream Chase Media LLC\, a multimedia production company that uses culture\, creativity and community as inspirations for compelling storytelling. His most recent feature film\, GRANDMA’S ROSES (2021) is a raw\, intimate documentary exploring the labor & love women invest in their families and communities. His first feature film\, THE BLACK FATHERHOOD PROJECT (2013) received wide community acclaim for its breakdown of the history of the Black family. His first short film\, the regional Emmy-nominated FOOTPRINTS IN THE STRUGGLE (2006) tells the story of Beatrice Cannady. \n\n\n\nHis book tilted\, A Kids Book About Systemic Racism was made to help kids understand what systemic racism is and how it’s built into laws\, schools\, stories\, and other institutions in a way that collectively makes life much harder for people of color. \n\n\n\nSue Williamson is a Cape Town-based artist whose work explores memory\, resistance\, and social justice. Her recent retrospective\, There’s something I must tell you\, opened at the Iziko South African National Gallery in February 2025. She has exhibited at major biennales and is held in collections including MoMA\, New York\, Tate Modern\, and Centre Pompidou. Williamson is the author of Resistance Art in South Africa (1989) and founder of ArtThrob online magazine. She is a recipient of the Ellen Kuzwayo Award and a Living Legend honouree by South Africa’s Department of Arts and Culture. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-a-conversation-on-black-fatherhood/ LOCATION:OMCA Lecture Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BTM_Mr_Dunbar_Photo_Cornell_Watson-e1754694849642.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251019T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251019T151500 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20250911T222325Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T180704Z UID:10002216-1760878800-1760886900@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: Russell City Remembered DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: Russell City Remembered — Film Screening & Panel Discussion\, Moderated by Alexis Madrigal\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us as October’s Spotlight Sunday wades into the powerful story of Russell City. We will start with a screening of The Apology\, a feature-length documentary that highlights Russell City’s deep history while outlining the 1963 forced relocation of the community’s residents and makes clear the harmful impacts of eminent domain.  \n\n\n\nRussell City\, home to 13 businesses\, several churches\, and 205 families\, was lost to claim the 200 acres for an industrial park. Alameda County’s calculated and utter dismantling of this beloved village pushed upwards of 1\,400 residents from their homes and from the land. \n\n\n\nFollowing the film\, Aisha Knowles—a descendant of Russell City families and the film’s producer—will be joined by fellow descendants Marian Johnson and Vena Sword-Ratliff for a panel discussion. The conversation will be moderated by journalist Alexis Madrigal\, author of The Pacific Circuit: A Globalized Account of the Battle for the Soul of an American City\, which maps racialized capitalism in Oakland and the powerful resistance movements that confront it. \n\n\n\nIn light of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ recent approval of ‘redress funds’ (distinct from reparations) to the former residents of Russell City\, this is a critical moment to explore what it means to make amends for a past that remains present and to acknowledge the dangers of eminent domain for Black and Brown communities.  \n\n\n\nThis program is a part of our exhibition programming for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain on view through March 1\, 2026 \n\n\n\n\nGET TICKETS\n\n\n\nmember tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-russell-city-remembered/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Still_Image_Streaming_SDFF.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251106T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251106T163000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251006T204127Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T204552Z UID:10002220-1762426800-1762446600@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Preview for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Preview Hours\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou’re invited to the Member Opening for OMCA’s newest exhibition! Good Fire: Tending Native Lands explores the past\, present\, and future of fire in California through Native practices. For centuries\, Native communities have used intentional\, low-intensity fires to renew the land and support biodiversity. This tradition was disrupted by colonial laws and fire suppression\, leading to today’s destructive megafires. Good Fire shows how Native communities are reviving these vital practices to cultivate more resilient landscapes and uphold traditions. Reserved tickets are highly encouraged but not required for Member Preview Hours. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRESERVE MEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDon’t miss the opening celebration on Thursday\, November 6\, 6-9 pm. Join us for an evening of celebration with live music\, delicious bites\, and festive refreshments—an inspiring preview honoring the vital knowledge of Native California communities that you won’t want to miss! RSVP required. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nMajor support for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*Header image: Steven Saiz (Hupa) uses liquid fuel from a drip torch to spread fire. Photo by Maddy Rifka. URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-preview-for-good-fire-tending-native-lands/ LOCATION:California CATEGORIES:Ticketed,Opening,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/unnamed-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251106T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251106T210000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251006T204103Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251029T201027Z UID:10002219-1762452000-1762462800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Preview Evening Celebration for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Preview Evening Celebration\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, our evening celebration is at capacity. We are thankful for the overwhelming support and excitement around this new exhibition. We still have availability for the Daytime Preview Hours from 11–5 pm. \n\n\n\nBe among the first to experience this powerful exhibition alongside the curators\, collaborators\, and community members who brought it to life. Join us for an evening of celebration with live music\, delicious bites\, and festive refreshments—an inspiring preview honoring the vital knowledge of Native California communities that you won’t want to miss! \n\n\n\nGood Fire: Tending Native Lands explores the past\, present\, and future of fire in California through Native practices. For centuries\, Native communities have used intentional\, low-intensity fires to renew the land and support biodiversity. This tradition was disrupted by colonial laws and fire suppression\, leading to today’s destructive megafires. Good Fire shows how Native communities are reviving these vital practices to cultivate more resilient landscapes and uphold traditions. \n\n\n\nRSVP required for the evening celebration. Capacity is limited. QUESTIONS? Email membership@museumca.org or call 510-318-8520. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAT CAPACITY\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCan’t make the Member Preview Evening celebration?Join us for our Daytime Preview Hours from 11–5 pm and experience OMCA’s newest exhibition before it opens to the public! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nMajor support for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands is provided by The Oakland Museum Women’s Board. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*Header image: Steven Saiz (Hupa) uses liquid fuel from a drip torch to spread fire. Photo by Maddy Rifka. URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-preview-evening-celebration-for-good-fire-tending-native-lands/ LOCATION:California CATEGORIES:Ticketed,Opening,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/unnamed-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251108T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251108T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251015T014511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T214457Z UID:10002221-1762603200-1762606800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Chats with East Bay Regional Park Naturalists DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Chats with East Bay Regional Park Naturalists\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin Naturalists from the East Bay Regional Park District for a hands-on exploration of local wildlife—right here at OMCA! Become a wildlife detective as you examine real animal skulls; ask “Whose skull is this?”; and discover what these clues tell us about the mammals that call our regional parks home. \n\n\n\nPerfect for curious minds of all ages\, this interactive experience offers a fun introduction to basic skull anatomy\, local ecology\, and the East Bay’s incredible natural landscapes. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that tour spots are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in so get here early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout The East Bay Regional Park District\n\n\n\nThe East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties that includes 73 parks spanning across 126\,809 acres\, 1\,330 miles of trails and 55 miles of shoreline. The Park District manages and preserves natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect and are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-with-east-bay-regional-park-naturalists/ LOCATION:Gallery of California Natural Sciences\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_3600-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251116T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251116T150000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251015T014915Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251031T200947Z UID:10002222-1763298000-1763305200@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: Cultural Fire Storytelling and Film Screening DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: Cultural Fire Storytelling and Film Screening with Margo Robbins\, Elizabeth Azzuz\, Roni Jo Draper\, and hosted by Tiśina Ta-till-ium Parker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPlease join us for an afternoon of storytelling centering Native fire practices from four visionary Native Californian memory keepers. The program will begin with a film screening of Fire Tender\, co-directed by Roni Jo Draper\, PhD (Yurok) and Marissa Lila Kongao\, which shares context on settler colonial fire suppression\, highlights the work of Yurok firelighters to reclaim and pass on traditional eco-cultural knowledge\, and meditates on the power of fire to heal land and communities.  \n\n\n\nThe film will be followed by heart-to-heart storytelling\, as the spirit of fire inspires. Margo Robbins and Elizabeth Azzuz\, two Yurok fire practitioners who lead the Cultural Fire Management Council\, will each share about the medicine of fire\, as guided by prayer\, before being joined by Tiśina Ta-till-ium Parker (Southern Sierra Miwuk/Kutzadika’a Mono Lake Paiute and Kashia Pomo/Coast Miwuk) and Draper for a group conversation. Drawing from their varied experiences as fire-women\, grandmothers\, filmmakers\, basketweavers\, and artists\, they will explore the possibilities of fire as the center of the home\, as well as the intergenerational abundance fire offers across time and space.  \n\n\n\nThis Spotlight Sundays is a part of our exhibition programming for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands on view through May 31\, 2026. \n\n\n\n\nGET TICKETS\n\n\n\nMEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelist Bios\n\n\n\n\n\nElizabeth Azzuz is a Yurok Tribal member from the village of Weitchpus in Northern CA\, and a Karuk descendant from Katamiin. She is the Director of Traditional fire\, family burns\, and Treasurer to the board of Cultural Fire Management Council. She is also Treasurer to the Indigenous Stewardship Network\, and is a member of the Indigenous Peoples Burning Network with the Nature Conservancy. \n\n\n\nElizabeth is a cultural practitioner\, who burns for basket materials\, traditional foods and medicines. She has been burning since the age of four\, when her grandfather caught her playing with matches and decided to teach her about her responsibility to Mother Earth. She was taught that fire is a tool\, not a toy. \n\n\n\nCFMC provides training and jobs on the Yurok reservation\, they have training exchanges to train future fire lighters in prescribed and cultural burns\, giving them the needed skills to work with fire safely. \n\n\n\n\n\nMargo Robbins comes from the traditional Yurok village of Morek\, and is an enrolled member of the Yurok Tribe.  She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council and co-lead of the Indigenous People’s Burn Network. She graduated from Humboldt State University and resides on the Yurok reservation in far northern California. She gathers and prepares traditional food and medicine\, is a cultural fire practitioner\, a basket weaver\, and regalia maker. She previously served as the Indian Education Director for the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School district. She is a mom\, and a grandma.  \n\n\n\nRoni Jo Draper Ph.D. (Yurok | she.her)\, is an enrolled member of the Yurok tribe\, from the village of Weispus (Weitchpec) at the fork of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers in what is now considered Northern California. Her experience as a queer\, Yurok woman\, and the realities and acute pain of discriminatory practices and policies enacted in school settings\, has influenced her writing and work as an educator\, scholar\, and artist. As a former high school mathematics/science teacher and university professor\, Roni has now turned her attention to storytelling practices outside of traditional academia—including poetry making\, traditional basket weaving\, and other art forms—as a way to explore the human experience and share stories of healing and thrivance. Roni produced SCENES FROM THE GLITTERING WORLD\, stories of three Diné adolescents living on the fringes of the Navajo Nation. She also produced\, directed\, and wrote FIRE TENDER\, a short film highlighting the work of Margo Robbins and Yurok cultural fire practices. Roni is currently in production on the feature-length documentary WE ARRIVE WITH FIRE | NE-KAH NUUE’M MEHL MECH. Roni’s work has been supported by the National Geographic Society\, Vision Maker Media\, Women Make Movies\, Sundance\, the Redford Center\, Firelight Media\, and other organizations interested in highlighting the stories of Indigenous women working to protect the environment and cultural lifeways. \n\n\n\nTiśina Ta-till-ium Parker is a California Indigenous textile designer\, regalia maker and community cultural art activist. Tiśina is the granddaughter of Ralph and Julia F. Parker\, daughter of Louis and Patricia Parker. Her people are Yosemite Southern Sierra Miwuk/Kutzadika’a Mono Lake Paiute from her Grandfather’s lineage and Kashia Pomo/Coast Miwuk from her Grandmother’s lineage. Tiśina was born and raised in her sacred tribal homeland of Mariposa/Yosemite. Born into a strong Indigenous lineage\, Tiśina has practiced ceremony with her Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation (SSMN) & Yosemite Paiute tribal communities since birth. She descends from a powerful matriarchy of notable California basketmakers including her Grandfather’s Grandmother\, Lucy Telles and her Grandmother Julia Parker. \n\n\n\nTiśina holds a BA in Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis in Art Education and a BFA in Sustainable Fashion/Textile Design from California College of the Arts in San Francisco where she graduated with honors as “Emerging Talent.” She is an active member of Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation. In 2018 Tiśina represented SSMN\, alongside tribal leaders\, in Washington D.C. to petition for Federal Recognition\, an ongoing 30+ year battle with the U.S. government for tribal sovereignty. In her lifeway\, Tiśina designs\, creates and collaborates within Native community and works deeply within regenerative design practices to create cultural art and textile work that is in balance with Indigenous ways of being. Tiśina’s life work is dedicated to community building and Indigenous cultural regeneration through the mediums of traditional regalia making\, textiles\, and community cultural arts activism. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-cultural-fire-storytelling-and-film-screening/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WAWF-Margo-with-Smoke-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251126T212441Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251126T223935Z UID:10002226-1764932400-1765126800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Semi—Annual Member Shop Sale DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt’s sale time! Join us onsite and online for the semi-annual Member sale at the OMCA Shop. Starting Friday\, December 5 through Sunday\, December 7\, OMCA Members enjoy double their regular discount on regularly priced items in our Shop–that’s 20% off! \n\n\n\nExplore our full range of gifts available at the OMCA Shop and show your Membership card at check-out. The OMCA Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm and Friday Nights until 8:30 pm. \n\n\n\nFor our online shoppers\, be sure to check your Member emails for exclusive coupon codes that unlock your discounts when you shop online. \n\n\n\nPerfect Holiday Gifts \n\n\n\nThe perfect gift doesn’t exist. Or does it? This season\, limited edition ornaments\, laser cut cards\, puzzles\, housewares\, jewelry\, and more are sure to make your spirits bright!  \n\n\n\nTreat Yourself \n\n\n\nNeed a break from the holiday hustle and bustle?  Soothe your body and soul with scented candles\, natural soaps\, and thought-provoking reads. Take home books featuring Angela Davis\, Edith Heath\, or the Bay Area Ridge Trail and give your senses a treat. \n\n\n\n\nLET’S SHOP\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\n*20% off applies to regularly priced items only. A limited number of items are available online. For the full collection of OMCA products\, please visit the OMCA Shop onsite during regular Museum hours. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/semi-annual-member-shop-sale-12-25/ LOCATION:OMCA Great Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Shop,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Omca_july17_july18-134-e1753825064831.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251209T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251214T235959 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251204T213924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251204T224734Z UID:10002227-1765238400-1765756799@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Bonus Reciprocity Week at MOAD DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us in a celebratory partnership between the Oakland Museum of California and the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD) with this bonus reciprocity week-long event!  \n\n\n\nFrom December 9–14\, OMCA Members enjoy free admission reciprocity to MoAD for 2 guests per membership.  \n\n\n\nNot a Member yet? Join Today! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCurrent Exhibitions\n\n\n\nContinuum: MoAD Over Time marks the 20th anniversary of the Museum of the African Diaspora. More than a retrospective\, Continuum presents MoAD’s impact on the Bay Area’s cultural landscape and reveals its growing global reach. Through archival materials\, artworks\, and stories from programs like the Emerging Artist Program and MoAD in the Classroom\, the exhibition honors MoAD’s legacy as a catalyst for Black creativity. Organized thematically and chronologically\, it traces the museum’s evolution and invites reflection on its expanding role in shaping the art of the African Diaspora. \n\n\n\nUNBOUND: Art\, Blackness & the Universe explores the intersections of Blackness and the cosmos. Curated by Key Jo Lee\, MoAD’s Chief of Curatorial Affairs and Public Programs\, the exhibition reimagines Blackness as infinite\, mysterious\, and cosmically rich. Featuring global artists such as Lorna Simpson\, Rashaad Newsome\, Gustavo Nazareno\, Harmonia Rosales\, and Didier William\, the show spans painting\, sculpture\, installation\, and video. Organized around three themes\, Geo-Cartographic\, Religio-Mythic\, and Techno-Cyborgian\, UNBOUND moves through earthly and celestial terrains. More than an exhibition\, it is a philosophical and sensory inquiry that invites visitors to imagine Blackness as a boundless\, creative cosmology of transformation and becoming. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor gallery admission\, simply present your OMCA membership card at the Visitor Experience welcome counter and enjoy.   \n\n\n\nQuestion or comments? Please contact us at membership@museumca.org or 510-318-8520. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: Daria Lugina/BAMPFA URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-bonus-reciprocity-week-at-moad/ LOCATION:Museum of African Diaspora\, 685 Mission St (at 3rd)\, San Francisco\, California\, 94105\, United States CATEGORIES:Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MoAD-Exterior.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251213T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251213T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251113T224703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251114T002307Z UID:10002223-1765627200-1765630800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Tours: Curator Walkthrough: Students on Strike DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Tours: Curator Walkthrough: Students on Strike\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a walkthrough of Students on Strike\,  a special installation in the Gallery of California History. With OMCA Curator Ryder Diaz as your guide\,  explore the legacy of student activism at San Francisco State University and reflect on how generations of students have continued to demand justice\, accountability\, and change. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that tour spots are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in so get here early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Ryder Diaz\n\n\n\nRyder Diaz (he/they) is OMCA’s Natural Sciences Curator. They have helped to develop science-related exhibitions at Bay Area museums for the past decade. Ryder brings an interdisciplinary background and approach to his work: He has degrees in Science Communication\, Population Biology\, Metropolitan Studies\, and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Outside of OMCA\, Ryder co-organizes a monthly bird walk for queer and trans people of color\, as well as facilitates an all-volunteer\, creekside habitat restoration project in Fruitvale. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-curator-walkthrough-students-on-strike/ LOCATION:OMCA Gallery of California History\, 1000 Oak St\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC5485-Enhanced-NR.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251221T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251221T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251113T225732Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251203T162034Z UID:10002224-1766322000-1766327400@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: A Yalda Night of Song and Poetry DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: A Yalda Night of Song and Poetry with Mahsa Vahdat\, Marjan Vahdat\, and Atabak Elyasi\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCoinciding with the Winter Solstice\, this month’s Spotlight Sunday celebrates Yalda Night\, an ancient Persian holiday marking the longest night of the year. With performances by internationally acclaimed Iranian Bay Area-based singers Mahsa Vahdat and Marjan Vahdat\, accompanied by musician and writer Atabak Elyasi\, we will weave together stories of renewal and awakening.  \n\n\n\nFollowing a beautiful musical offering\, sisters Mahsa and Marjan—whose practices carry the universal message of humanism and freedom—will share their thoughts on the power of ritual and song in resilience. Then\, to mark the longest night of the year\, visitors will be invited to share wishes and intentions for the new year\, and Mahsa will read from the poet Hafez as a reflection of the year to come. Please join us for this harmonious celebration of hope and light over darkness. \n\n\n\n\nGeneral TICKETS\n\n\n\nMEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat:\n\n\n\nMahsa and Marjan Vahdat are internationally acclaimed Iranian vocalists\, composers\, and educators whose artistry is rooted in the profound tradition of Persian classical music while opening new paths of innovation and intercultural dialogue. In their homeland\, where women have been banned from solo singing since 1979\, they have carried their voices beyond borders with unwavering resolve. Their music\, born of resilience and longing\, has touched audiences across the world as a testament to cultural memory and the enduring power of artistic freedom. \n\n\n\nThrough long-standing collaborations with the Norwegian label Kirkelig Kulturverksted and producer-poet Erik Hillestad\, as well as composer-arranger Atabak Elyasi\, they have released numerous acclaimed and award-winning recordings. Their artistic journey has led to encounters with musicians and ensembles such as Kronos Quartet\, Tord Gustavsen\, Mighty Sam McClain\, Bridget Kibbey\, Amsterdam Sinfonietta\, the Skruk Choir\, Zar Theatre\, and the Grotowski Institute—creating a rich tapestry where Persian music converses with the sounds of the world. \n\n\n\nAbout Atabak Elyasi:\n\n\n\nAtabak Elyasi is an Iranian-American musician and composer based in Berkeley and a master of the Persian setar—the instrument most commonly used to accompany the voice in traditional Persian music. Atabak has played and performed setar for the majority of his life and has been teaching this sacred instrument for at least 30 years\, passing on this lineage to innumerable students. Atabak has worked on several renowned musical projects with 2018 ACTA mentor artist Mahsa Vahdat and her sister Marjan as a setar player\, composer\, and musical arranger\, as well as arranging pieces for the Skruk Choir in Norway and the Kronos Quartet. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-a-yalda-night-of-song-and-poetry/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Yalda-Night7.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T103000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T113000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251212T221420Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251223T214809Z UID:10002237-1768041000-1768044600@museumca.org SUMMARY:Basketry Demonstration & Conversation with Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBasketry Demonstration & Conversation with Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin Mewuk basket weaver Jennifer Bates for a special basketry demonstration and conversation exploring the artistry\, techniques\, and traditions of California Native basketmaking. Jennifer will share her personal practice\, discuss the plants and materials used in traditional basketry\, and walk audiences through key steps of gathering\, cleaning\, splitting\, and preparing materials. Enjoy an up-close look at her artistry\, learn the difference between twined and coiled techniques\, and take part in a lively Q&A. \n\n\n\nAs part of this program\, attendees are also invited to explore OMCA’s new exhibition Good Fire: Tending Native Lands\, which highlights Indigenous knowledge\, cultural burning\, and stewardship practices across California. \n\n\n\nThis program is a part of our exhibition programming for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands on view at OMCA from November 7\, 2025\, through May 31\, 2026. This program is designed for people aged 12 and up; there is limited capacity and tickets are required. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGET TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Jennifer Bates\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) is a traditional Mewuk basket weaver and cultural consultant with nearly 50 years of experience preserving and teaching Central California Native arts. A founding board member and former long-standing chair of the California Indian Basketweavers Association\, she has represented California’s basketry traditions at institutions such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and curated numerous exhibitions across the state. Jennifer’s work spans cultural education\, arts leadership\, and community advocacy\, and she continues to share her deep knowledge through workshops\, demonstrations\, and public presentations. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/basketry-demonstration-conversation-with-jennifer-bates-northern-sierra-mewuk/ LOCATION:OMCA Lecture Hall\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Workshop,Ticketed,Conversation / Lecture,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jennifer-Bates_Basket.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251211T234647Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T215204Z UID:10002236-1768046400-1768050000@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Tours: Nature Walk with OMCA’s Curator of Natural Science\, Ryder Diaz DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Tours: Nature Walk with OMCA’s Curator of Natural Science\, Ryder Diaz\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCalling all nature lovers and the nature-curious! For this month’s installment of Member Tours at OMCA\, come in your walking shoes ready to explore the wonders of Oakland’s natural history. Join us for a special nature walk led by OMCA’s Curator of Natural Science\, Ryder Diaz. \n\n\n\nThe tour will begin at the Mid Level Ticketing Desk and then move through the OMCA Garden to learn more about the habitat in our own backyard. Next\, Diaz will lead the group out of our 12th Street entrance to highlight the natural history of Lake Merritt and its surrounding creeks. While staying within the vicinity of the Museum\, the group will be prompted to notice the various birds and critters along the way! The walk will conclude back at OMCA’s Gallery of California Natural Sciences with a chance to reflect on what visitors saw during the tour. Come join us in the new year for a fun and engaging way to connect with each other and our surroundings! \n\n\n\n*Please note that tour spots are limited and that a small number of binoculars will be available (first come\, first served). In the event of rain\, this program will be rescheduled. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Ryder Diaz\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRyder Diaz (he/they) is OMCA’s Natural Sciences Curator. They have helped to develop science-related exhibitions at Bay Area museums for the past decade. Ryder brings an interdisciplinary background and approach to his work: He has degrees in Science Communication\, Population Biology\, Metropolitan Studies\, and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Outside of OMCA\, Ryder co-organizes a monthly bird walk for queer and trans people of color\, as well as facilitates an all-volunteer\, creekside habitat-restoration project in the Fruitvale. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-nature-walk-with-omcas-curator-of-natural-science-ryder-diaz/ LOCATION:Gallery of California Natural Sciences\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HIRES_5N2A2826-Enhanced-NR_adrian-edit.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251218T221727Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T234845Z UID:10002238-1768048200-1768055400@museumca.org SUMMARY:Introductory Basketry Workshop with Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIntroductory Basketry Workshop with Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn this introductory workshop\, led by Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) and her apprentice\, Jeannette Innerarity (Ione Band of Miwok)\, attendees will explore basketry materials\, learn foundational techniques\, and be guided through weaving a basket base. All materials will be provided. This intimate workshop emphasizes close instruction\, cultural context\, and an opportunity to learn directly from two experienced weavers. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a part of our exhibition programming for Good Fire: Tending Native Lands on view at OMCA from November 7\, 2025\, through May 31\, 2026. This workshop is designed for people aged 12 and up; capacity is very limited\, and tickets are required. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSOLD OUT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Jennifer Bates\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) is a traditional Mewuk basket weaver and cultural consultant with nearly 50 years of experience preserving and teaching Central California Native arts. A founding board member and former long-standing chair of the California Indian Basketweavers Association\, she has represented California’s basketry traditions at institutions such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and curated numerous exhibitions across the state. Jennifer’s work spans cultural education\, arts leadership\, and community advocacy\, and she continues to share her deep knowledge through workshops\, demonstrations\, and public presentations. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Jeannete Innerarity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeannette Innerarity is Northern Sierra Miwok and a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. Jeanette honors those who came before her by actively prioritizing and embodying Miwok knowledges and ways of being\, including basketweaving with her mentor Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk)\, learning and implementing Miwok language\, participation in traditional food gathering and preparation as well as crafting traditional Miwok regalia\, game sets and acorn cooking implements.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/introductory-basketry-workshop-with-jennifer-bates-northern-sierra-mewuk/ LOCATION:OMCA Learning Center\, 1000 Oak\, Oakland\, California\, 94607 CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Ticketed,Conversation / Lecture,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/basket-workshop-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260118T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260118T160000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20251211T233338Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T215826Z UID:10002235-1768741200-1768752000@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: Community Conversations in Radical Public Imagining DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: Community Conversations in Radical Public Imagining\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOMCA’s Spotlight Sundays is excited to continue our Community Conversations series. This annual series\, in partnership with The Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) and The Belonging Resident Company\, creates a space to foster public dialogue\, deepen understanding\, and cultivate connection around emerging community topics.  \n\n\n\nThe year’s installment will explore radical public imagining. In alignment with OMCA’s special exhibition\, Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain\, project partners will include Dominique Walker and Alia Phelps of Moms4Housing\, Brandi T. Summers of Archive of Urban Futures\, and June Grant of blink!LAB architecture. Through performance\, interactive engagement\, movement\, and conversation\, this immersive experience will examine what it means to build our muscles for audacious dreaming during difficult times. Please join us for this inspiring event! \n\n\n\nThis program will be held in four acts\, each including a TED-style talk followed by audience engagement. The schedule will follow a narrative arc\, so arrive on time so you don’t miss out! \n\n\n\nACT 1 | Personal Engagement – Dreaming   \n\n\n\nACT 2 | Civic Engagement – Agitating \n\n\n\nBREAK  \n\n\n\nACT 3 | Imagining Spaces – Transforming  \n\n\n\nACT 4 | Archiving Futures – Remaining  \n\n\n\nThis program is a part of our exhibition programming for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain\, on view through March 1\, 2026. \n\n\n\n\nGeneral TICKETS\n\n\n\nMEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Richard Aviles\n\n\n\nTransportation Analyst and Arts and Culture Strategy Lead for the Othering and Belonging Institute. As part of the Community Power and Policy Partnerships team\, they support government agencies and partner with community organizations by providing trainings\, technical assistance\, and evaluation support. These services center the lived experience\, vision\, and self-determination of the communities most impacted by transit inequities. Richard has also created and facilitated healing circles in South Central as part of LADOT Vision Zero’s community engagement efforts. Richard holds a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Urban Planning from the University of Southern California. Their current research interests lie in the relationship between behavior and the built-environment\, city consciousness\, and community engagement. \n\n\n\nAbout Sangita Kumar\n\n\n\nSangita is a result-based organizational development consultant and somatic coach. She is the founder of Be The Change Consulting\, a human-centered consulting firm that supports organizations and movements to bring liberatory practices into their work. She is the mama of an incredible 13-year-old and four chickens. \n\n\n\nAbout Sarah Crowell\n\n\n\nSarah is OBI’s Belonging and Community Builder. She is a dancer and choreographer who has taught dance\, theater\, mindfulness\, and violence prevention for over 35 years. She has founded and co-directed the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company and has served as the Executive Director for 30 years. Since 2000\, Sarah has facilitated arts integration\, violence prevention\, cultural humility\, and team building professional development sessions with artists and educators\, both locally and nationally. She is the recipient of many awards including the KPFA Peace award\, the KQED Women’s History Local Hero award\, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education Milestone award. She is a four-time finalist for a Tony Award for Excellence in Theater Education. \n\n\n\nAbout June Grant\n\n\n\nJune received her Masters degree in Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture.  \n\n\n\nIn addition to Architecture\, her background includes Sculpture\, Investment Analysis and Economics.  Upon leaving Steinberg Architects and AECOM\, where she was a Principal and Associate Principal\, respectively\, she launched blink!LAB in 2014. Her architecture follows a trajectory from retail to culture and technology markets. She is an architect with a long interest in the innovation of spaces for newly emerging social patterns.  \n\n\n\nAbout Dominique Walker \n\n\n\nDominique is a mother\, as well as a fighter and organizer for social change. She co-founded her high school\, the School of Social Justice and Community Development and went on to earn her B.A. in Sociology from Tougaloo College. Dominique has worked and supervised the lactation program at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson\, MS. She co-founded and currently serves on the Board of Directors for  Moms for Housing (M4H)–a group of mothers fighting for housing and against speculation in communities. She is an active member of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)’s Black housing union. She is the educator of community organizing for the Deep Medicine Circle (DMC)—a WOC-led\, worker-directed nonprofit organization that is committed to heal the wounds of colonialism through food\, medicine\, restoration\, story and learning. Dominique is committed to fighting for justice at the intersection of housing and Black maternal health. She is currently a student at Berkeley City College.  \n\n\n\nAbout Brandi T. Summers\n\n\n\nBrandi T. Summers\, PhD is an Associate Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University. Dr. Summers is author of Black in Place: The Spatial Aesthetics of Race in a Post-Chocolate City (UNC Press\, 2019) and has published articles and essays that analyze blackness\, culture\, aesthetics\, and urbanization\, in both scholarly and popular publications. Her current book\, Oakland Echoes: Reimagining and Reclaiming the Black City (under contract with the University of California Press)\, highlights routes of resistance and reclamation in her hometown\, Oakland\, CA\, as a quest to think about the past\, present\, and future of a Black city. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-community-conversations-in-radical-public-imagining/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/DSCF9187-scaled.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260215T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260215T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20260120T223406Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T005405Z UID:10002247-1771160400-1771165800@museumca.org SUMMARY:Spotlight Sundays: Total Praise—The Making of the Black Joy Parade DESCRIPTION:Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n \n\n Your browser does not support the video tag.\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \nFriday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpotlight Sundays: Total Praise—The Making of the Black Joy Parade\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Black Church has long been a cornerstone of Black culture\, shaping movements\, inspiring iconic music and art\, and carrying forward enduring traditions. OMCA is honored to welcome guests to join the creators of the Black Joy Parade for a thoughtful exploration of how the Black Church has served as both a space of resistance and celebration\, and why the presence of the Black Joy Choir remains central to the parade’s spirit. The afternoon opens with a soul-stirring performance by the acclaimed Black Joy Choir\, followed by a premiere screening of the documentary short Total Praise: The Blueprint Behind the Black Joy Parade. \n\n\n\nFollowing the screening\, attendees are invited to settle into a conversation with Black Joy Parade producers reflecting on legacy\, community\, and joy\, featuring Head of Content Jacqwi Campbell\, Activation Lead Demjuan Julian\, Co-Founder and COO Amber Lester\, and Gold Beams founder Tayleur Crenshaw as moderator. \n\n\n\nThis program is a part of our exhibition programming for Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain\, on view through March 1\, 2026. \n\n\n\n\nGeneral TICKETS\n\n\n\nMEMBER TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Black Joy Parade\n\n\n\nBlack Joy Parade is a hyper-positive non-profit based in Oakland that celebrates the Black experience and the Black community’s contributions to history and culture with its signature parade and celebration\, partnerships\, and events. Black Joy Parade exists to provide the Black community and its allies a live experience that celebrates the Black community’s influence on cultures past\, present\, and future. Black Joy Parade unites a diverse community by creating space to express each of our unique contributions to the Black experience. We invite you to be creative\, be open\, be present\, be free. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/spotlight-sundays-total-praise-the-making-of-the-black-joy-parade/ LOCATION:James Moore Theater\, 1000 Oak St\,\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Spotlight Sundays,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/01-FAVORITE-USE-IF-POSSIBLE-scaled-e1768948635510.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260315T235959 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20260220T002320Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T172550Z UID:10002283-1773187200-1773619199@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Bonus Reciprocity Week at BAMPFA DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us in a celebratory partnership between the Oakland Museum of California and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) with this bonus reciprocity week-long event!  \n\n\n\nFrom March 11-15th\, enjoy free admission reciprocity to BAMPFA for 2 guests per membership and 50% off of current and future film screenings! Use code OMCA2026 for film reservations online. \n\n\n\nBAMPFA is open 11 am–7 pm\, Wednesday through Sunday. \n\n\n\nNot a Member yet? Join Today! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCurrent Exhibitions Include:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTheresa Hak Kyung Cha: Multiple Offerings\n\n\n\nTheresa Hak Kyung Cha: Multiple Offerings is the first retrospective in twenty-five years dedicated to the groundbreaking work of the artist Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (b. 1951\, Busan\, South Korea; d. 1982\, New York City). Cha produced an expansive range of works across text-based media\, video\, and performance\, including her posthumously published book\, Dictée (1982). The artist’s interdisciplinary practice gave shape to the experimental art scenes in San Francisco\, New York City\, and beyond. \n\n\n\nAfter emigrating from South Korea to the United States\, Cha enrolled in 1969 at UC Berkeley\, where she studied art practice\, comparative literature\, and film. Keenly attuned to the active role that audiences play in the creation of meaning\, she prioritized nonlinear narratives to allow for more open-ended forms of interpretation—what she termed a method of “Multiple Telling with Multiple Offering.” The retrospective adopts this framework to allow for a range of entry points into Cha’s work\, guiding visitors through the themes—memory\, displacement\, and the mutability of language\, among others—that recur in her oeuvre. \n\n\n\nSince 1992\, owing to a generous gift from the Theresa Hak Kyung Cha Memorial Foundation\, BAMPFA has served as the steward of Cha’s art and archives. Gathering over one hundred artworks and archival materials from across her short but prolific career\, as well as select loans of works by Cha and other artists\, Multiple Offerings highlights the inventive\, playful\, and meditative methods of Cha’s practice while also situating her work within a constellation of artistic forebearers\, peers\, and contemporary artists for whom she has long been a lodestar.  \n\n\n\nThe exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue—the first museum monograph dedicated to the artist in over twenty years. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArt Wall / Stephanie Syjuco: Present Tense (Roll Call)\n\n\n\nDebuting her largest wall installation to date\, artist Stephanie Syjuco (b. 1974\, Manila\, Philippines; lives and works in Oakland) presents Present Tense (Roll Call). Referencing the classroom routine of announcing one’s presence\, the exhibition explores radical pedagogy in the politics of education. Syjuco’s practice spans from handcrafted textiles to archival excavations\, interrogating how photography and archives shape racialized narratives of being and belonging. \n\n\n\nFor this exhibition\, Syjuco\, a UC Berkeley professor since 2013\, reflected on her role as an educator while drawing from the Bancroft Library and the Ethnic Studies Library\, engaging with their extensive holdings on student activism and research by marginalized communities. As part of the artist’s process\, she collaborated with multiple participants\, inviting educators nationwide to contribute pedagogical materials\, thus reinforcing the interconnected nature of knowledge production. \n\n\n\nPresent Tense (Roll Call) cascades across the wall as a sprawling visual field of text and imagery\, which uses documents referencing the first ethnic studies programs in the United States\, including UC Berkeley’s program\, born in the late 1960s. With this project\, Syjuco urgently responds to the broad backlash against and recent legislative attacks on ethnic studies\, book bans\, and the defunding and removal of diversity programs. She transformed ordinary didactic materials into a layered constellation of fragmented and reassembled information. Her photographic approach reenacts archival parsing\, selectively sharpening elements while letting others fade into illegibility\, revealing how knowledge is precariously preserved\, erased\, and fiercely contested. By working through the logic and limits of archives\, Syjuco invites viewers to reconsider the tension through which history—and its daily presence—is recalled\, constructed\, and controlled. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nObject Oriented: Abstraction and Design in the BAMPFA Collection\n\n\n\nObject Oriented: Abstraction and Design in the BAMPFA Collection explores how artists have represented\, reshaped\, and reimagined familiar objects\, drawing attention to the role of design in our everyday lives. This exhibition encourages acts of close looking\, asking viewers to question their immediate recognition of what they see. In this way\, an object that might at first appear to be a chair could also be considered a sculpture\, a stand-in for a body\, or simply a piece of metal. \n\n\n\nThis exhibition brings questions of design into conversation with abstraction. The paintings on view emphasize their own materiality rather than picturing or alluding to something outside of themselves. At the same time\, items that might seem functional are also explorations of color\, shape\, pattern\, and texture. By highlighting these formal aspects of the pieces\, the exhibition calls into question our assumptions around the utility of objects. \n\n\n\nDrawing from BAMPFA’s expansive holdings\, Object Oriented positions abstract painting and sculpture alongside works designed for architectural spaces\, maquettes\, and artist’s books. Seen together\, these works bring a new awareness to the ways we think about and categorize objects through art and design. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExperience the best of world cinema on the big screen in BAMPFA’s state-of-the-art Barbro Osher Theater\, including the following films: \n\n\n\nFar from Home by Sohrab Shahid Saless \n\n\n\nKill the Documentary by Harun Farocki\, Hanspeter Krüger\, Eckart Kammer\, and Caroline Gremm \n\n\n\nCompensation by Zeinabu irene Davis \n\n\n\nThe Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant by Rainer Werner Fassbinder \n\n\n\nLast Year at Marienbad by Alain Resnais \n\n\n\nAdvanced purchase is highly recommended as films sell out quickly! Check your March calendar of events email for the discount code or email the Membership team at membership@museumca.org. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor gallery admission\, simply present your OMCA membership card at the Visitor Experience welcome counter and enjoy.   \n\n\n\nQuestion or comments? Please contact us at membership@museumca.org or 510-318-8520. Please note that BAMPFA is closed on Labor Day\, September 1. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events\n\n\n\n\n*Header image: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha\, Other Things Seen\, Other Things Heard\, 1978. Gift of the Theresa Hak Kyung Cha Memorial Foundation. URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-bonus-reciprocity-week-at-bampfa-2026/ LOCATION:Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive\, 2155 Center St\, Berkeley\, California\, 94720\, United States CATEGORIES:Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/04_Cha_Other-Things-Seen-Other-Things-Heard-1978-e1771546714458.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260314T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260314T130000 DTSTAMP:20260421T224516 CREATED:20260212T230823Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T224044Z UID:10002282-1773489600-1773493200@museumca.org SUMMARY:Member Tours: Women’s History Month Artwalk with Avril Angevine DESCRIPTION:Friday Nights at OMCA\nSpecial Members Lounge\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Tours: Women’s History Month Artwalk with Avril Angevine\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a woman-focused walk-through of the Gallery of California Art. Take a deep dive into the background of some of California’s best—and least—known women artists\, including Hung Liu\, Sonia Gechtoff\, Viola Frey\, Margaret Peterson\, Ann Weber\, Carmen Lomas Garza. Delight in their works and hear stories about their lives\, practices\, and challenges with Gallery Chats facilitator Avril Angevine.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBECOME A MEMBER\n\n\n\n\nPlease note that tour spots are limited. A sign up sheet will be available at the Ticketing Desk when checking in so get here early to grab your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacilitator\n\n\n\n\n\nAvril Angevine is an OMCA Gallery Chats Facilitator and a lifelong art aficionado with a particular interest in modern\, contemporary\, and California art. She speaks on art subjects at various locations in the Bay Area\, including the OLLI programs at Santa Clara University\, Dominican College\, San Francisco State\, and the Fromm Institute. Avril has a BA in English and an MA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and has taught English and Humanities at local colleges. She is also a museum guide at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art\, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art\, and the Oakland Museum of California. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility\n\n\n\nOakland 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 visitor@museumca.org at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReturn to Events URL:https://museumca.org/event/member-tours-womens-history-month-artwalk-with-avril-angevine/ LOCATION:OMCA Gallery of California Art\, 1000 Oak St\, Oakland\, California\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Gallery Chats at OMCA,Family,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://museumca.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2021_OMCA_Gallery-of-California-Art_Hung-Liu_Photo-Cedit_-Leopoldo-Macaya_6U4A1563-2-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR