East Bay Open Studios is proud to present a Spotlight Artist for each of our biannual open studios events. The Spotlight Artist embodies the spirit of East Bay Open Studios and serves as a symbol of the creativity and talent within our community. Their selected artworks become the visual centerpiece of each event—featured prominently in marketing materials across the city—and act as a bridge between participating artists and the broader East Bay community that visits East Bay Open Studios each year.
Here we hear from three of our Spotlight Artists about the impact this program and East Bay Open Studios has had on their practice:
Alex D. da Silva – Spotlight Artist Winter 2025
“Being part of a community has been essential to me, both professionally and personally. I’ve always sought out like-minded individuals to connect with and share experiences. I’ve been painting with Larry Robinson at the UC Berkeley Extension for over 25 years, and for nearly three years I’m at Norton Factory Studios. Painting is often a solitary pursuit, yet art never exists in a void, the relationships we build around our creative processes become a crucial element of both the artist and the work itself.
“As a painter, my work is often a personal reflection on our collective experience, but the communities I belong to have profoundly shaped and influenced the final outcome. These connections are a vital part of my artistic growth, and as a Spotlight Artist, I’ve received nothing but encouragement and support from my peers. We’re now looking for ways to use this distinction to bring greater visibility to our group and further strengthen our community.”
Derick Davies – Spotlight Artist Summer 2025
“Having the opportunity to be recognized not only as an Emerging Artist but a Spotlight Artist was one of the biggest achievements of my art career, and to be honest, my life. Being able to go places in Oakland where I grew up and see my work and my face in the streets was a crazy blessing. Something I didn’t even know I could do.
“People texting me calling me saying they saw my work. It was really an eye opener to my career going forward. I met so many great people and was introduced to so many artists who I got to network with. I was most thankful for the interactions with the people who came to see me and my work as I had never experienced it to that capacity. It motivated me to go even harder now that I knew I could have that reach with people. It’s an experience I’ll hold forever and recommend to others to grow your connections, your motivation and your art.”
Fernando Reyes – Spotlight Artist Summer 2023
“In 2000, I participated in my first solo East Bay Open Studios (EBOS) in the Jingletown neighborhood at Ford Street Studios in Oakland’s Fruitvale district. My debut Open Studios was a tremendous success, and I couldn’t wait to do it again the following year. At that time, other artists in the building also opened their studios, but everyone operated independently.
“The next year, I saw an opportunity to bring us together. I organized a team of artists from our building to plan, promote, and register collectively for EBOS. The result was a lively and memorable event that transformed our building into a true destination for art lovers.
“Inspired by that success, I began envisioning something larger — a neighborhood-wide art celebration. Soon after, the first organized Jingletown EBOS event was born. Since then, Jingletown artists have opened their studios to the public every June and December, carrying on a creative tradition that has become a highlight for collectors, galleries, and art enthusiasts alike.
“This year marks my 26th year in my Jingletown studio. Although I no longer organize the neighborhood event, I’ve continued to participate every year (except during the pandemic) and plan to do so as long as I maintain my studio in this vibrant, artsy community that I’ve been proud to help shape.”