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"Bird Song," by Kimberly White at Door.7. Gallery. The What's Left of Summer Guide Third Thursdays Gallery Crawl By Aimee Le Duc For a lot of us, going to an art gallery is like going to the dentist. We know we should go, we know it's the right thing to do, but it we don't expect it to be an enjoyable experience. What many of us don't realize however, is what kind of earnest and vibrant art scene we do have in the East Bay, and all it takes is one Thursday night a month to realize walking into an art gallery is no day at the dentist. So what are some of these living treasures that make up this art world of the East Bay? From Richmond to West Oakland, the 510 area code alone has a gallery or art space for nearly every type of visual expression, and the Third Thursday evening event is a perfect place to get beneath the surface and feel the pulse of these cities. On the Third Thursday of each month, exhibition spaces keep their doors open in the evenings, anywhere from 5 to 9 pm. They serve refreshments of various sorts, host live music, and generally create a spontaneous space for people to come together. These nights are a chance for people to expose themselves to art in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Originally sponsored by the Oakland Craft and Cultural Arts Department and the Oakland Art Alliance, Third Thursdays is now its own animal. Individual venues, from Oakland's ProArts to the Richmond Art Center all participate in at least some if not all of the Thursday events. In addition to these already established spaces, independent artists occasionally organize their own performances and exhibitions. Whatever your taste or artistic experience, every Third Thursday offers all of us a chance to do the right thing - visit art galleries and spaces - but to have a great time doing it as well. Here's just some of the spaces that will be opening their doors this month: Ardency Gallery Celebrate Ardency's one year anniversary with new works from local Bay Area artists. 709 Broadway, Oakl. 836.083; www.ardencyart.com. Door.7.Gallery "Bird Song," work by artist Kimberly White. 2316 Telegraph Ave., Oakl. Expressions Art Gallery Owners/artists Alan and Len Laird will show new original art work, along with special guest poets and musicians. 5815 Washington, Oakl. 451.6646 For more information spaces check out the Art Throb section of Urbanview or the comprehensive, albeit not entirely up-to-date website, www.oaklandculturalarts.org. [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]