On Aug. 16, Latte Da Vinci opened on Main Street. Artists and visitors gathered to view the gallery, enjoy coffee from their mobile cart and listen to local musicians. Lewis Liu founded the nonprofit, and he hopes to use it as a gallery and classroom.
“We want to turn it into a community center. And of course, education for the kids, for the public… We’re going to raise some money, do some events and donate it to schools,” said Liu.
The Gallery
Liu spent most of his life as an accountant, not an artist. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he began hiking and painting the scenery. For three years, he has been taking painting classes at Las Positas.
“When [my] tenants moved out… [the] city said, you know, you have to do a restaurant or retail. I know nothing about food or retail. I say, well, I’m a painter, amateur, but I can turn it into a community gallery,” said Liu.
Although part of the gallery is a traditional showcase space, there is an additional room in the back. Here, students will take classes like East Asian brush painting. Outside, there are tables and chairs for customers to read, paint, or enjoy their coffee.
“We used to have a place with Starbucks. Starbucks is shutting down. Always when I drove to work, I saw people sitting by the little table and hanging out and drinking coffee. Even that little place is gone… It’s really sad. But I really wish people knew that we have another place for the community,” said Liu.
The Artists
On opening night, artists stood by their paintings and answered visitors’ questions. The gallery featured a wide variety of art, from large acrylic paintings to small photographs. Less traditional styles were featured, as well.
“Right now, I’m passionate about encaustic hot wax… And then also working with resin. Both of them are in liquid form when I’m working with it,” said featured artist Claudette McDermott.
Another featured artist, Bonnie Polson, had her photographs of Oakland for sale. Although she has been taking photographs for years, she believes that art should be accessible and important to everyone.
“I think everybody needs to find some little something. Whether it’s reading or writing, or painting or music, or writing, [something] that helps them find that part of themselves that they might not discover otherwise,” said Polson.
Latte Da Vinci hopes to foster this experience. It isn’t just a place for experienced artists like McDermott and Polson, but for all people to enjoy.
“You can sit down, read your book, talk to friends. If you’re an artist, you’re my guest. Bring a painting, just sit down and paint. And that’s the core of what I’m doing: community,” said Liu.
