Art in Jingletown

A diverse culture has long been at the heart of Jinglteown life. It has played an especially significant role in the development of what has become a burgeoning arts district. Our active artist population has helped to revilalize and improve the economy of this area and is gaining more recognition all the time. The roles of the Jingletown artists and other creative characters have given this area a positive sense of identity and cohesion. The work helps instill a real sense of cultural literacy and bridges social barriers that span some of the area's most pervasive systemic problems. It is my pleasure to introduce some members of our community:

California native, Darwin Price, webmaster of the official Jingletown web site. lives and works at the famed Ford Street Studios (#2) here in Jingletown. When he isn't organizing labor unions, Darwin spends his time creating spectacular art. Shown here with one of his works in progress, he is a well-known figure in the Jingletown arts scene.

Saundra Warren makes unique and intriguing garden art in her 2908 Glascock Street studio. She works primarily in clay, specializing in beautiful garden fountains. Saundra makes her own ceramic tiles that she uses to create mosaic work also for outdoor use.

Ted Warren, (Saundra's husband) is a bibilophile who collects rare and out-of-print books. Shown here with his expansive and ecclectic collection that is organized in shelves along one side of their loft. The couple is co-writing a novel based in seventeenth century France.

Jingletown Has Something for Everyone

Nestled close to the estuary between Oakland's Fruitvale and Park Street Bridges, the Jingletown art's district has something for everyone.


New businesses such as Gary Boland's Voila! Juice Bar and Cafe at 510 Derby Avenue, have recently opened offering area residents a great place to hang out, have a bite and enjoy an ever-changing display of local art. Gary has plans to host events such as poetry readings and acoustic music concerts in the near future, and a group of Jingletown artists will be having a group show from Febuary through the end of March. (More details to come.)





It is rumored that Jingletown got its' name in the 1930's when the predominantly poor Portuguese population would walk the streets in their Zoot Suits with hands in pockets jingling the little change that they had after they got paid for picking cotton. The area has changed a lot since those days, making it one of the most exciting arts districts currently in the Bay Area. There has been a tremendous growth as the influx of new residential lofts has appeared. The new construction is matched by the strong community spirit of those residents and businesses who have been living and operating in the area for years. This diverse mix of different interests and people gives the neighborhood something for everyone.

Welcome to the Jingletown Oakland blog!

Welcome to the Jingletown Oakland blog!

This is a community blog and gathering place for anyone who is interested in Oakland, California's Jingletown Arts District. My name is Stacy Alexander and I'll be your host for the time being. I am a mixed media artist who lives here in the rapidly expanding Jingletown Arts District, one of the most exciting art districts in the San Francisco Bay Area. The purpose of this blog is to spread the word about Jingletown-related businesses, events and announcements as well as to inform the world about the thriving arts and diverse residential communities that exist here.

Please feel free to jump right in and discuss any topics that are pertinent to Jingletown.

I will be updating frequently with Jingletown news, photos, announcements and hopefully some pieces about Jingletown History and other subjects of interest. I welcome contributions, so please email me at: jingletown.arts@gmail.com with any suggestions that you might have.