From mind-blowing exhibits to prolific performers, the streets were packed, music was playing, people were dancing and coming together all for the love of art at Oakland Art Murmur’s First Friday Art Walk last Friday evening.

Every first Friday of the month, 20 different galleries are opened to the public to view and enjoy thought-provoking and unique art at no cost. Many times the artists are there to discuss their art and their inspiration as well.

23rd St. between Telegraph and Valley is closed to traffic for the event, though the walk stretches from 25th St. as far as West Grand Ave.

Oakland Art Murmur is dedicated to supporting cultural art through public awareness and participation in the arts of Oakland.

First Fridays began in 2007 as a way to gain more attention for Murmur’s individual visual art programs.

“Oakland isn’t as well known for art,” said art gallery clerk Isabelle Duffy, 19. “It’s very much underground, so Murmur gets artists all together and puts them out there for the public to see.”

“It started when a group of galleries decided to open up on the same night and at the same time for the public to view their art,” said Murmur’s executive director Danielle Fox. “I love seeing how many different people come to Oakland for its art. It brings many people together.”

Murmur recently started a similar art walk on Saturday afternoons as well, which has more of a family-friendly vibe to it, according to Fox.

“The Saturday event has a more mature audience. It’s good for the people who enjoy the art, but don’t want to deal with the party atmosphere of First Fridays. It gives people more time to enjoy the exhibits and talk with the artists.”

The crowd at the art walk was extremely diverse in regards to age and ethnicity and the art was as eclectic as the crowd. On the streets people were displaying and selling custom jewelry, clothing, handcrafted art pieces and airbrushed creations.

“Oakland’s art walk fits right into Oakland’s evolving renaissance in that Oakland is a nexus,” said Oakland resident Tanna Hall. “It is a place that doesn’t rely on its reputation like San Francisco. Its strength is connecting various cultures, economic backgrounds and general access to celebrating arts and culture.”

A variety of food vendors and food trucks were present and stayed packed with people until the event officially ended.

From tacos to brisket and barbeque to pastries, the food was definitely one of the biggest attractions of the night. Other food hot spots were the organic ice cream cart and the homemade bourbon ball stand.

Tara’s Organic Ice Cream had a plethora of flavors including spiced pumpkin and fig and port.

The Bourbon Ball stand kept people coming back all night. It was amazing that such a tiny ball could have such a big “kick” to it, come in flavors such as Cherry Brandi and Coke and Rum, and sell for only a dollar each.

The art galleries had a consistent flow of traffic throughout the duration of the walk. A few of the popular galleries included Vessel, The Moon, Mercury 20 and SLATE.

Vessel had an extraordinary unique art exhibit by artist Lonny Lee. When viewers walk upstairs, it is as though they have been transported from the streets of Oakland to an open field in the Midwest.

Dozens of handcrafted crickets had come to life as they hung from the ceiling, at eye level of the guests.  This two-dimensional exhibit allowed the viewer to experience the display by moving through it as the sounds of chirping crickets echoed throughout the gallery.

This exhibit showed true creativity as alongside the art was sold lollipops with an actual dried cricket inside and edible flavored crickets-in-a-box. This was a big “hit” with the viewers as half of net sales benefitted the Alameda County Food Bank.

Another eye-catching exhibit was “Reinterpreting Reality” by photographer Elizabeth Williams, located in the SLATE gallery.

Williams used her standard point-and-shoot camera to take pictures of ordinary everyday objects and turn them into art.

“It’s about slowing down, looking for the whimsy, embodying that and making art out of everyday life,” said Williams. “For me, everything happens in the moment. It’s about finding that perfect moment where things coalesce and then sharing the art with others.”

Oakland’s Art Murmur First Friday event is a great way to relax at the end of the week. If you haven’t had the chance to check it out, be sure to grab your family and friends to be a part of the action next month.