Swarm Gallery

Came here for the first time yesterday (largely due to the stellar reviews), and was glad to find a quality gallery so close to me. Having had trouble finding galleries in Oakland that I found engaging, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Wasn’t that into the ongoing Portland Collective exhibit, but I took my time browsing through the stored collections/​flat files from other artists, and really liked the assortment of styles. Judging from that, I’m optimistic about going back again and finding more engaging exhibits.
Also took a look around the back where Swarm has individual artist studios, and, damn, they are some nice ass studios.

Swarm Gallery is an awesome place. And I am not just saying that because I am a beekeeper. There’s a lot going on there.
In the Gallery, the artwork is unique, innovative and varied. I have seen many shows and while there is a great range to the work show, I can say that the curator has a strong vision for the space that is consistent and coherent.
In the back are Artist Studios that people rent and there’s a nice energy there. And regularly there are live performances including music, as well as different events and even film screenings.
It would be a great place to rent for a birthday, office party or whatever. The staff person told me they even had a wedding there once, which sounded fun.
I am glad Swarm Gallery is around and in that neighborhood. It would be excellent to see more businesses like it in the area and to see the vibe in Jack London Square really blossom. (More flowers for the bees!)

Swarm Gallery is a contemporary art gallery conveniently located in the Ironworks district near Jack London Square (across the street from Cost Plus). Swarm consists of Public and Artist entrances, 11 Studios surrounding a common area, and a separate front side Gallery. The space is nicely lit and has a comfortable open (and uncaged) vibe. Works of Art come and go, so Expeditions change and repeat visits are encouraged. Swarm also has a program that can bring art to your space.
I was here recently for a special event, as the space is available for Exhibition-​accented lectures, parties, and other events. I liked the option of participating in our group’s hands on activities and then wandering off on different occasions to admire the Art.

What a cool space to look around and take in some art in Jack London!
I found Laura Ball’s watercolors hanging in the main gallery to be evocative and moving. One painting in particular caught my eye, she captured very well the energy and motion of a constrictor snake eating a bird. That said, if I got to pick one painting to take with me and hang in my home, the pigs tangled in strings of lights is easily my first choice. Playful, whimsical, and fun, the viewer can’t help but smile when taking in these flying pigs.
I also was very moved by Michele Pred’s gallery, a portrait of her father. The display was raw and intimate in a way that was powerfully touching. I drew parallels in my mind, finding connections with my own family history and my father. Very moving.
Lastly, it was a treat to wander around the back and spy on the artist workshops to see works in progress.
Great space, great light, great location, I look forward to coming back for more!

Now that I’ve actually visited Swarm with open doors I can say that it’s a great place. The gallery and studios are a lot bigger than I imagined. Currently watercolor and oil paintings by Laura Ball hang on the gallery’s white walls. This is some fantastically illusive imagery that the digitized screen cannot replicate.
The gallery director, Svea, greeted me openly and was receptive to any questions. Any questions I had, she basically covered them. She even gave me a business card. This is very refreshing since I’ve been to many galleries and museums where it seems that the staff could care less about someone walking out with a painting.
Svea notified me that it was okay to walk around in the studio space located in the back. This area is well kept and appears to be a dream to work in. There are eleven rooms of varying dimensions. It’s pretty cool to peer into each studio to see what artists are working on. It’s also kind of amusing to realize that most of the stuff they had, I owned as well.
Studio space ranges from $ 380 – 500 per month. I don’t think I’ll be renting anytime soon although it’d be nice. I think I’ll save my money for paints, canvases, and hardware.

Swarm is an amazing space and the vibe is incredibly cool. Svea showcases artists whose work is fresh, dynamic, and provocative. Her space was much need for Oakland and has added something very special to the Bay Area art scene. I’m a gallery director as well and respect what Swarm continues to achieve. Highly recommended.

A great addition to the Oakland art scene. Svea does a great job at promoting the gallery and the artists. If I weren’t comfortable making my art at the dining room table I’d want to rent one of the lovely little studios here — they are adorable and I love the community feeling among them.

Interesting art that changes regularly. Beautiful environment. Love the concept of a space that «hives» art energy. They have discussions, studio spaces, a project space and a regular gallery. The principal there is stellar! Wanna decorate your new place? Skip the dopey posters at Bed, Bath & Beyond and splurge on some REAL art, instead!

Really beautiful space with good staff. Went to see Georgia Goldberg’s recent work here. Rotates shows quite often, and relatively easy to get to from 12^th Street City Center BART. Hope they can actually sell some work and support our Bay Area artists!

Swarm is a beautiful space that combines both studio spaces for resident artists and also separate art gallery. I bought a chair during the Gregg Fleishman exhibit – which I love and adore!
They had their one year anniversary party a few months ago — complete with wine, cupcakes, and a DJ. It was so much fun and not at all stuffy, like some gallery openings.
Great space, interesting art, and Svea, the founder of Swarm, is the best! They have receptions for new exhibits probably once every six weeks – check it out!

Ditto Kriss M. I went here with my brother to check out some artists-in-residence’s work, and was really impressed by the art and the wonderful space Swarm provides. What a cool gallery to have in Oakland!

My sweetie, the kids, and I went by to see his high school kids from work (College Track — Oakland) show off their art and poetry last Sunday. I couldn’t think of a better place than the Swarm Studios and Gallery!
Very cute and attractive art gallery. I looked into each room and I was simply amazed with each artists art work. Loving each artist from James Gayles, Charity Tooze, all the way to Pamela Spears. I loved each artist’s style!
If you’re ever in the Jack London area take a peak and you’ll see what I mean.

cool artists and cool events for cool folks. my favorite oakland gallery, by far!

Last night there was an art opening for 3 very talented very up and coming artists. Pro Arts next door was having an art opening also, for CCA Photography students. It was an arty scene, Oakland-​style, mellow.
Swarm Studios and Gallery is a wonderful space. There are art studios in the larger back space, and in the front, the very bright, well-​delineated, open gallery. Last night, when I walked over from Swarm’s opening to Pro Arts’ opening, and then back to Swarm, there was a slight, very noticeable change in the climate of the galleries’ guests. Svea has cultivated a more sophisticated, welcoming, clean, calm and mannered space in which curated artists and the public can mingle in a most comfortable and fun environment.
I learned about art last night, and got to talk with the sculptor Mark Baugh-​Sasaki about one of my favorite sculptors Alex Calder. His work reminds me of Calder’s, with the solidly and gracefully manifested play of balance, weights, natural and welded materials, all of the underlying metaphors of, and human attraction to, assymetrical equality, balance. I love Calder because he abstracted something so fundamentally human, by using and engineering and abstracting with something *seemingly* inhuman, math. I found Sasaki’s work evocative also for that reason. I got to talk with Gage Opdenbrouw about why he used the theme of fire in the darkness, the water, the one isolated from the group, what were *his* meanings, of all the possible meanings. His paintings were arresting, dark and in the end, somehow optimistic. I love going to museums like the Met, the De Young, the MOMAs, because I learn about humanity and history through the art of others. It brings me joy and satisfaction and personal epiphanies, understanding and self– and world-​learning, to no end. It is because artists continually work and pare and work and slave and work and sweat and work and commit, sacrifice, love, all for their truth. It inspires me. It is inspiring.
Swarm is a space that embraces Art and Artists and you and welcomes you to go and experience the source.
The next artists’ reception is Friday, January 12!

An alternative gallery that is not just about the «smelly art kid» crowd. The space is slick without being annoying. The gallery has been open since March and the shows have been mixed but, for the most part, they are interesting and sometimes challenging.
The director is young, talented and knows how to throw a good party. This isn’t just a new spot for the «cheap wine and cheese art whore crowd».
Go by and check it out.

Swarm had their grand opening last night. It was hosted by NovoMetro. They are launching a new sight about Oakland. They will have writers post items about Oakland every day and there will be a place to post comments as well. They hope to be sorta like Unilocal,sorta like the Grand Lake Guardian, but more timely and regular with their posts. I for one look forward to another Oakland resource. Check it out:
The opening had wine and substantial snacks. The space itself is really interesting. I especially liked peering into the studios and looking at a snapshot of each artist who occupies the space. That was far better than perusing the artwork, in my humble opinion.