The Windows Project was an ongoing series of public visual art exhibitions, from 1990 to 2004, using empty storefront windows in downtown Oakland , California .
Its purposes were to showcase new and emerging artists, to bring this art to as many people as possible through free 24/7 sidewalk art galleries, and to contribute interest and vitality to the urban streetscape.
Artists at every level of mastery participated, including children and seniors. The curatorial input was the sequence of pieces and the novel ways they were exhibited. Behind the scenes, artists received technical help in assembling the exhibition and even in creating exhibitions “from scratch.”
In practical terms, The Windows Project became an informal “art school,” where “doing and making” took place. It also was a successful experiment in adding value to a community through art and culture---
“Filling the windows with art proved to be a hit not only among passers-by, but also for the owners of the commercial spaces, who found it much easier to rent their vacant stores once their windows were filled with art displays.” (Oakland Tribune article, March 2, 1997 by Jolene Thym). In addition to revitalizing downtown Oakland and helping artists exhibit their work, the Windows Project addresses “audiences who wouldn't usually set foot in some haughty gallery.” ( Oakland Tribune, 10/14/93). The ARTSHIP Foundation supervises the
Windows Project in the sense that it offers artists a place to expose their work and plans the arrangement of the exhibits. However, any artist who wants to exhibit in the Windows Project may do so. The project introduces Oakland residents to art in a novel manner: “doing what armies of real estate agents couldn't make the center appealing…” Cheryl Belaer, A Paradoxical Exhibit, 1993 article.
Numerous economic development, urban planning and commercial studies have concluded that the Windows Project was a major catalyst for down town commercial development. ARTSHIP Foundation grew out of the Windows Project which along with its performing arts company forms the current core of ARTSHIP's programs.
• More than 5,000
artists exhibited their work over 14 years.
• An estimated 1 million people each year were able to see the exhibitions.
• And economic development experts credit The Windows Project as a
major factor in revitalizing the Jack London Square and Broadway corridor
districts of downtown Oakland .
Windows Project Credits
The Windows
Project was initiated by Slobodan Dan Paich and exhibited with the following
co-curators: Augusto Ferriols (1991 – 2001), Daniel
Harris ( 2001 – 2003) and Tom Franco (2003 – 2005).
TheArthur Wright, Jakob Bokulich, Heath B Winer and Nathaniel Bolton also assisted
with installing exhibitions during these years.
Other Windows Project credits..