Check out beautiful artworks, stroll along the ocean, learn to paddleboard or kayak, and find a new treasure
This week’s events are all about art, from beautiful pieces crafted by local artists to fantastic natural scenes by Mother Nature herself. From now until August 15, see the works of 88 community artists at Mastick Senior Center’s 24th art exhibit. Then on Saturday, August 2, stop by the Plein Air Paintout’s Exhibit and Sale for gorgeous local scenes captured on canvas. On Sunday, August 3, continue your artistic exploration in the 800+ booths of the Alameda Point Antiques Faire. For beautiful views of local wildlife, take a stroll along the beach with Alameda Walks on Saturday, August 2. And check out Sea Trek’s many offerings this weekend and beyond for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking adventures. It’s hard to beat the view of the San Francisco skyline from the bay!
Mastick Senior Center’s 24th Art Exhibit
Through Friday, August 15
Finally, an event that you can attend on your own schedule! Stop by Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Avenue, to view their free 24th art exhibit now through August 15. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The gallery features 159 original pieces by 88 Mastick artists. The exhibit spans the lobby, office, dining room, game room, and media room. Some of the pieces are for sale, and 15% of the proceeds will support art programs at Mastick. You’ll find a variety of mediums, including drawings, Chinese ink paintings, quilts, ceramics, stained glass, and more.
“My essential partner in organizing and curating these art exhibits for the last 12 years is Diane Alabaster,” gallery curator Alison Limoges told the Alameda Post. “Our focus has evolved from promoting the art classes at Mastick Senior Center to featuring artwork made both in and outside of those excellent art classes. In so doing we have broadened the kinds of media on display and [included] many more artists. The resulting shows inspire the art students and our visitors.”
Mastick Senior Center offers programs and services for adults ages 50 years and older. Members have access to a wide variety of resources from dance classes to informational lectures about social security scams. Membership is free and required to participate. Find more information online.
Alameda Walks
Saturday, August 2
Alameda Walks is headed to the shoreline this week for some beautiful scenery and wildlife. Meet at Doug Siden Visitor Center, 1252 McKa Avenue, for the 9 a.m. start. This week’s walk will last approximately two hours and 15 minutes.
East Bay Regional Park District Naturalist Susan Ramos will lead the tour. Stroll along the seaside paved pathway from Crab Cove all the way to the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary on this environmentally focused tour. Along the way, you’ll learn about local wildlife and the cultural history of the area.
Alameda Walks are sponsored by Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD). All events begin at 9 a.m. and last approximately an hour unless otherwise noted. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, use sun protection, and bring water to stay hydrated. Registration is not required for this free event. Kindly leave pets at home.
20th Annual Plein Air Paintout Exhibit and Sale
Saturday, August 2
Keep your eyes peeled for artists at their easels throughout the island this week! Frank Bette Center for the Arts’ (FBCA) annual Plein Air Paintout officially began on Monday, and a special Exhibit and Sale is scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at South Shore Center. Stop by from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. to see this year’s beautiful pieces.
A juried group of 40 local and out-of-state artists have been tasked with capturing the charms of Alameda and its surrounding areas. You can expect scenes of tree-lined streets, gorgeous architecture, natural waterscapes, and other iconic local imagery using watercolor, gouache, oil, acrylic, and pastel. Artists will paint en plein air during predetermined time slots this week, and the finished pieces will be displayed for all to enjoy at the Exhibit and Sale on Saturday.
Festivities are scheduled as follows:
- 10:30 a.m. – Noon: Gouache painting demonstration by Sergio Lopez.
- Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Oil painting demonstration by Beth Grant.
- 1 – 4 p.m.: Live 1970s and ’80s light rock by the 360 Band.
- 1:45 – 2:15 p.m.: Awards Ceremony to announce Best of Show, Frank Bette Award, Alameda Award, Island Award, Artist’s Choice, Community Artist Award, Junior Community Artist Award, Nancy Seamons Crookston Award, and the Genie Scott Award.
- 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Battle of the Brushes. In a brand new event, teams of three to five artists using the same medium will work together to paint a scene from a photograph.
Be sure to check out the artists’ booths at the event. Artists will be painting live and happy to talk with the public about their works. If you can’t make it, be sure to visit FBCA at 1601 Paru Street. A selection of the unsold paintings will be exhibited and for sale through September.
Paddleboarding and Kayaking with Sea Trek Alameda
Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3
You’d be surprised how many Islanders don’t take advantage of living by the bay. Luckily, it’s easy to remedy that with rentals, classes, or tours by Sea Trek, at 1120 Ballena Blvd Suite 200. Sea Trek has been operating since 1982 and recently expanded to a location at Ballena Bay in 2024.
Here’s how you can get involved this weekend:
- Introductory Sea Kayaking Class, Sunday, August 3 at 8:45 a.m.: This class is designed for beginners who are ready to get out on the water for solo adventures ASAP. Get ready for an all-day class that covers everything from paddling techniques to capsizing and tide patterns. This seven-hour class is $175.
- Introductory Stand-Up Paddleboard Class, Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 at 9:30 a.m.: This beginner-friendly class starts on dry land to introduce students to the fundamentals of paddle boarding before getting into the water to test out their new skills. This two-hour class is $110 for adults and $90 for youth ages 14 and up.
- Scenic Alameda Kayak Tour, Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 at 10 a.m.: Begin with some basic instructions before embarking on this beautiful guided tour around Ballena Isle. View downtown San Francisco, observe local wildlife, and see the USS Hornet, weather permitting. This 2.5-hour tour is $100 for adults and $85 for youth ages 14 and up.
- Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals, seven days a week: Sea Trek is open year-round for daily rentals. Walk-ins are welcome, and rentals begin at $35 per hour.
Sea Trek will provide necessary equipment including life jackets and paddles. Participants are advised to bring sun protection and warned that they may get wet. Please note that participants in the above classes and tours must be at least 14 years of age or older. Children of any age are welcome to accompany their skilled adult during self-guided kayak rental excursions. Get more information online to arrange a custom guided trip for youth or school groups.
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Sunday, August 3
The largest antiques show in Northern California is right in our backyard, and it happens every first Sunday of the month at 3900 Main Street. Treasure hunters from far and wide flock to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire to shop at 800+ booths and enjoy culinary offerings from a wide selection of food trucks.
The Faire uses a tiered ticketing system for entry into the venue:
- VIP Shopping: 6-7:30 am. – $20.
- Early Buy: 7:30-9 a.m. – $15.
- Morning: 9 a.m.-noon – $10.
- Afternoon: Noon-3 p.m. – $5.
Attendees may purchase tickets for VIP Shopping and Early Buy online in advance. All ticket time slots are also available on the day of the Faire at the Box Office and must be purchased with cash only. Children under 12 may attend for free with a parent. Please leave pets at home.
Parking is free, and a shuttle is available between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to transport attendees from the parking lot to the Faire entrance. The shuttle will make occasional stops at the Main Street Ferry Terminal as well. More information is available online.
What else is going on in Alameda?
All these events and more, in Alameda and beyond, are always posted on our online Events Calendar. Post yours, too, for free!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Amanda-Laird. Reach her at [email protected].
