Corner Store

Berkeley, CA  –This holiday season, the 2727 co-op art gallery reprises its historic role as a beloved neighborhood corner shop, this time selling art in the place of candy. Amidst the glut of Black Friday deals, nostalgia-riddled commercials, and lavish box-store displays, the co-op provides an alternative community space while playfully imitating the conventions of convenient commerciality. 

While towns across the country steadily lose public spaces, mom-n-pop ventures, and arts venues to corporate interests, this local gallery remains dedicated to supporting small-scale arts and events. Participating artists explore their role as culture crafters while navigating the paradigms of preciousness, accessibility, and consumability. The pressures that influence artists to make small and sell cheap for the holidays creates confrontations between handcrafting and mass-production. 

Co-op manager Linden JL is curating a selection of work that jests at the ways art is valued, and its implications on the community. They say:

“I think many people don’t realize how much culture is being monetized and placed behind ever increasing paywalls, with creators either joining forces or being pushed to the side. We need alternative community arts spaces now more than ever, where culture creators can support their communities and be supported by them in return.”

Members of the co-op invite their communities to reflect together on the transformation of our most cherished spaces and the role of art in our ever-changing culture. Corner Store will be opening December 6th with a reception from 5:30 to 8pm, 2727 California Street, Berkeley.  The event is free and open to the public, complete with music, refreshments, and arts activities.

About 2727 California: 2727 California is an artist cooperative exhibiting regularly at their space in Berkeley, CA. Formerly a corner store, the beloved neighborhood staple has transformed into a pillar of the arts in the community. The public regularly contributes to the space, exhibiting everything from visual to performing arts. Member artists regularly host exhibitions, displaying a diverse body of work that approaches the world from a number of perspectives. The space hosts free and low cost workshops, helping other artists refine their crafts and engaging  the local community in art-making.  Emphasis is on emerging artists, local artists, and artists from under-represented groups who have had less opportunity to show their work. 

Corner Store will be open Fridays 4pm-8pm, Saturdays and Sundays 1pm - 5pm through the month of December with a Special New Years Eve closing party, open to the public, on December 31st, 7pm-9pm.  Weekend events will include live music, artist talks, and interactive workshops.  A full list of happenings can be found here. More Information: www.2727.today/calendar/corner-store

Host or Publisher Gallery 2727