Author Archives: anna

Spring Cleaning @ AmSteel

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MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL YARD SALE!
Date: Saturday, April 7, 2012
Time: 8am – 4pm

What : Industrial tools, welding equipment, benders, vintage
furniture, art supplies, pallet racks, storage crates, cars, trucks,
buses, three-wheelers… please see the attached flyer for a “more
complete partial list!”

Come by to do some shopping or just to say hello!

1960 Mandela Parkway, West Oakland (enter on 20th Street)

RAC’s 16th Annual “The Art of Living Black” Exhibition

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The “The Art of Living Black” Exhibition satellite show includes the Poplar Gallery at American Steel Studios.

Featuring over 50 local artists, the works include fine arts and crafts, paintings, sculpture, photography, prints, masks, stained glass, quilts, textile art, ceramics, jewelry and dolls. A number of satellite shows at locations throughout the Bay Area accompany this exhibition. The exhibitions culminate with a self-guided art tour giving the public an opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes and purchase art directly from them.

Where: 1960 Mandela Parkway (enter on 20th Street)
When: Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26, March 3 and 4, noon to 6pm

Featured Innovator: Jacqueline Barsotti

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We asked Jacque Barsotti, founder of Suite Treatments, to tell us more about what propels and inspires her. She is an incredibly energetic woman and simply conversing with her generates a lot of energy which, in and of itself, is inspiring. She started the business in 1999, and has since grown to 4 full time and over 30 seasonal employees across the country, an impressively lengthy client list, a modest fleet of capable bio-diesel trucks and an impressive jungle-size collection of flora, soft-art and props.
AM: What do you do?
JB: Event Design and Rentals, mostly our niche is in the music industry, handling dressing room set-up and hospitality for artists. And we design and install backstage ambiance and create VIP environments. I have long-standing working relationships with diverse and talented individuals all around the country, so whether I’m working for an event in Oakland, San Francisco, Memphis or NYC, I have top-notch creatives at the ready. This allows me tremendous flexibility and fresh talent for each unique venture.
Suite Treatments Display
AM: Why do you do what you do?
JB: Creating a business out of what I love is the best gift I can give myself and my clients. Using green techniques allows me to also be mindful of the environmental aspect of the work I do. I converted my fleet to biodiesel in 2002, and over the years have brought creative green production solutions to seven bay area venues. Naturally, transforming spaces into a multi-faceted, event-specific environments is insanely fun and creatively rewarding.
AM: What brought you to American Steel?
JB: The desire to be surrounded by like-minded individuals creating art and experiences together. After first visiting the building only 3 short years ago, it’s been a true heart dream, to one day be part of this community.
AM: What do you love about American Steel?Suite Treatments Display 02
JB: Inspiration is everywhere, the location is perfect for all bay area events and I love telling people we are now part of this Community! It is of my intention to utilize the artists that are right here for all kinds of projects. From 30′ tall sculptures, to painters, performance artists and even wine barrels for our larger plants, I find having this community available to me is imperative to the growth of my company.

AM: What is your next big adventure?
JB: Currently there is a surge in music festivals, in the past we have done over ten festivals a summer. I’m looking to expand and venture into new and exciting plans, as well as maintain our current local bay area business.

Diamonds In The Rough : December 10th and 11th, 2011

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We are happy to present “Diamonds in the Rough,” a two-day, interactive exhibition of art, innovation and industry happening Saturday, December 10th from 7pm to 11pm and Sunday, December 11th from noon to 5pm. There will be art exhibits, demonstrations, live music, performance and tours of the American Steel Studios facility. This is more than just an open studios event, this is a weekend dedicated to showcasing the creative talent and innovative work happening right here in Oakland. We hope you can join us.

Featured Artists and Innovators: Anarchitectural, Built from Salvage, Kevin Carter, Karen Cusolito, Jane Eliott, Fire Arts Collective, The Front Porch, Kitty Gordon, Aaron Irish, Joel Key, Andy Levine, Greg Leyh, Justin Loney, Jay Musler, Jann Nunn, Rebecca Peters, Fortune Sitole, Michael Walsh.

Diamonds in the Rough
Saturday, December 10, 2011
7 – 11pm
Sunday, December 11, 2011
noon – 5pm
1960 Mandela Parkway, West Oakland (enter on 20th Street)