The West Oakland Industrial Arts Corridor

Forklifts and 18-wheelers are as common as cars in West Oakland and it’s easy to get the sense that the enormous concrete warehouses here are mere way stations for goods coming in and out of port. What isn’t immediately noticeable is that behind the graffiti-strewn walls are dozens of art collectives and studios, and that West Oakland stands as one of the most important centers for industrial arts in the nation. The massive buildings—many are large enough to hold a crane—offer the kind of space artists need to create large-scale installations and sculptures.