The Art of Justice: Oakland’s EastSide Arts Alliance Offers Classes, Bookstore

Antonio Ray Harvey

The EastSide Arts Alliance (EAA) is located on International Drive in the San Antonio district of Oakland.

A Community center and cultural hub, EAA offers youth in “Oak Town” exposure to the arts, education and organizing through a number of programs that teach children life skills, hone their artistic talents and channel their energies to bring about change in their communities.

The center also has a bookstore called Bandung Books that bills itself as “a third world community bookstore.”  It offers titles with a progressive bent on arts, history, culture and civil rights, biographies of artists and activists, and more.

The center also organizes seminars and workshops led by leading local voices representing a range of interests and occupations. Festivals and block parties are frequently organized, too, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the cultures that enrich the neighborhood – and the broader East Bay region.

“We support a creative environment that improves the quality of life for our communities and advocates for progressive, systemic social change,” states an informational video on EAA’s website.

The center is known for its history as a political hub and point of cross-cultural collaboration for several famous African American, Latino, Asian American and Native American politicians and artists. Amiri Baraka, who is widely considered the founder of the 1960s-‘70s Black Arts Movement was once involved with the alliance as a collaborator and supporter.  

A number of local artists, activists and organizers volunteer at EAA, sharing their knowledge and experience with the young people and community.

One teenager involved in an arts program at EAA says it’s a place where she can express herself artistically.

“It has a whole lot of resources that are not at any other place that I know,” she said. “If there’s anybody who is an artist, a poet, a rapper – or has any form of artistic ability – I feel like this is a great place for them.”

One young man says he appreciates the community organizing that originates at the center.

“We get to go out into the community and make it a better place,” he said.

Due to the pandemic, EAA has adjusted hours.

The bookstore is also opened from Thursday through Saturday 12 pm- 5 pm for in-store shopping.

For more information, contact the center via its website.