Discover the Magic of Circus Arts at Expression Arts in Oakland

Expression Arts Introduce

Located in the vibrant community of Oakland, Expression Arts stands as a unique and thrilling destination for anyone curious about the world of circus. This isn't just a place to watch a show; it's a place to learn, grow, and become a part of the spectacle. Expression Arts is a holistic circus training facility dedicated to offering circus education for all ages. It provides a sanctuary for individuals to build strength, confidence, and community through the powerful and expressive art of circus. As a women-owned and LGBTQ+ owned business, Expression Arts is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where everyone can feel free to express themselves and explore their potential, both on the ground and in the air.

The ethos of Expression Arts centers on providing a supportive space where creativity and physical expression can flourish. The school offers a variety of circus disciplines, from the high-flying excitement of trapeze and lyra to the grounded art of contortion and gymnastics. Beyond the classes, the studio is renowned for its live circus performances and immersive shows, which transform the traditional audience experience into something truly magical. These productions are a testament to the talent and hard work of the students and a highlight of Oakland's vibrant arts scene. Expression Arts is an active participant in the local community, creating a haven for young artists to develop their skills and a sense of belonging with their peers, nurturing a love for the circus arts that can last a lifetime.

Expression Arts is located at 3840 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619, USA. Situated in the heart of the city's Laurel District, the studio is easily accessible for residents across Oakland and the broader East Bay region. The facility is deeply committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that all community members and visitors can enjoy what the studio has to offer. The onsite amenities further enhance the experience, with a gender-neutral restroom and general restrooms available, as well as Wi-Fi for convenience. This thoughtful approach to accessibility and amenities underscores Expression Arts' mission to be a welcoming and safe space for everyone, including families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who identify as transgender.

The studio offers a wide array of services that cater to both students and audiences.

Circus Education: Expression Arts provides comprehensive circus education, including regular classes, private lessons, and intensive programs designed to build skills from the ground up.
Specialized Training: Students can receive specialized training in a variety of aerial arts, including trapeze and lyra training, as well as ground-based disciplines like gymnastics and contortion training.
Circus Performances: The studio is home to captivating live performances and immersive shows, offering both students and professional troupes a platform to showcase their talents and entertain audiences.
Troupe Participation: Expression Arts has an audition-only youth circus troupe, providing dedicated and aspiring young artists with an opportunity to perform in professional circus productions and further hone their skills.
Circus Camps and Workshops: They offer circus camps and workshops during breaks, which are an excellent way for new and returning students to dive into the circus arts in an exciting, focused environment.

These diverse services make Expression Arts a comprehensive hub for circus arts, whether you're looking to learn, perform, or simply be a spectator.

Several key features and highlights make Expression Arts a standout destination in the Bay Area's performing arts scene.

Live Performances: The studio's commitment to live performances and immersive shows provides an unparalleled entertainment experience for tourists and locals alike, making it a true cultural attraction.
Inclusivity and Safety: As an LGBTQ+ owned and women-owned business, Expression Arts has established a reputation for being a family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and transgender-safe space. This commitment to inclusivity is a core part of their identity.
Holistic Approach to Training: The school's philosophy emphasizes not just physical skills but also community, creativity, and personal growth, providing a well-rounded experience for all participants.
Diverse Offerings: From beginner classes to advanced pre-professional troupes, Expression Arts offers something for every level of interest and commitment, ensuring a tailored experience for each individual.
Accessibility: The studio goes above and beyond with its accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking, which makes it a welcoming space for all abilities.

These features, coupled with the passion of the staff, create a space that is both artistically rigorous and deeply supportive.

For more information on class schedules, upcoming performances, or to get in touch, you can contact Expression Arts directly.

Address: 3840 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619, USA

Phone: (510) 816-1646

Mobile Phone: +1 510-816-1646

What makes Expression Arts worth choosing is its unique blend of professional training and community focus. It’s a rare place where you can learn demanding physical skills like trapeze and gymnastics while being surrounded by a supportive and kind community. As one customer noted, the teachers are "engaged and incredible," and they "love" what they do, which is an invaluable quality in any educational setting. The dedication to a "safe place" for children to build a community with their peers is a testament to the positive environment fostered here.

The immersive performances offer a one-of-a-kind experience that sets Expression Arts apart from other arts studios, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking unique entertainment in the Bay Area. The commitment of this women-owned and LGBTQ+ owned business to being a welcoming space for everyone, from its physical accessibility to its cultural values, makes it a business you can feel good about supporting. For families looking for an extracurricular activity that not only builds physical skills but also fosters confidence and a strong sense of belonging, Expression Arts is an excellent choice. It’s a place where children and adults alike can discover their inner performer and learn to fly, both literally and figuratively. The opportunity to witness or participate in the magic of circus arts right here in Oakland is something truly special.

Expression Arts Services

Circus
circus education
trapeze training
circus performance
immersive show
lyra training
gymnastics training
contortion training
circus school
circus
show
performance
live show
tourism

Expression Arts Details

From the business
Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned
Identifies as women-owned

Highlights
Live performances

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Amenities
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Restaurant

Crowd
Family-friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace

Children
Good for kids

Expression Arts Photos

No photos available at the moment.

Expression Arts Location

Expression Arts

California Alameda County Oakland Redwood Heights MacArthur Boulevard

3840 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619, USA

Expression Arts Reviews

An average rating of ★3.7 from 3 user reviews.★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Our daughter has taken classes at Kids n Dance (owned & managed by same persons who own & manage Expression Arts). Later she joined Expression Arts & was part of the troupe for 3 years. Circus was a haven for our child who built a community w/the peer troupers & truly enjoyed the art of circus. Over the past two years, we have increasingly heard of concerns by our daughter. While we were receptive, we initially tried to ask that she to trust the program, embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, & to believe in the positive intent of management. But over the past season the concerns and experiences have escalated. Troupers have come forward to raise awareness of troubling experiences. Some concerns raised by troupe members & our daughter:Unsafe Physical Environment: Inadequate warm-up, inadequate breaks, extended time upside-down, & a persistent culture of pushing through pain & injury. During the lead up to performances, the children are often at practice for 6+ hours. Practice increases in frequency until the final few weeks preceding shows, where practice is nearly every day. During the two weeks of performances, troupers were asked to do 1 show on Friday, 2 shows on Saturday, & 3 shows on Sunday. Each show is ~2.25 hours. It was only after there were serious concerns raised in a parent conference with Kris and Marielle, that the 3rd performance on Sunday was cancelled. The standards, rigorous schedule, & high-risk performance are a dangerous recipe for the safety of the troupe.Emotional Manipulation & Inappropriate Behavior: Esme drifts between friend & coach w/ the troupe. The relationship is confusing, w/Esme using this bond to instill her values on the children & also playing favorites. Multiple troupe members have noted that Esme can be erratic in her behavior, switching between positive behavior & disparaging & belittling language. In one incident, Esme told our daughter that she must have “ADD” after our daughter offered to help with transitions. Another time, Esme commented on the body figure of a trouper. Also, she told a group that their act was “stupid”. In isolation these incidents may be explainable (Kris & Marielle have attempted to rationalize all of the incidents), but what can’t be explained or rationalized is how widespread & consistent the experiences are amongst the troupe. After a senior troupe member sent a note to the parents about her own traumatic experiences, numerous troupe members came forward & shared consistent & repeated experiences.What is most concerning is the complete lack of accountability & curiosity to do something about the numerous concerns raised by the troupe & families. We believe Esme, Kris, and Marielle have the best of intent and they want to provide a safe place for children & to cultivate a thriving community. We also believe they are wholly incompetent & untrained in how to create this place. The incompetence can be addressed, there are programs like SafeSport which, coupled with Esme’s passion for the art, could transform the space. But Esme, Kris, & Marielle first need to face the root of the issue & take concerns seriously. After a senior troupe member raised concerns about her own experiences, she was abruptly removed from the troupe & essentially called a liar. Parents then demanded a conference w/management. Esme did not attend. Kris & Marielle spent the bulk of 90 min. deflecting & taking no ownership or corrective measures.Despite her initial love & passion for circus arts, our daughter has decided to move on. Despite everything we note above, our hope is that Expression Arts & Kids n Dance thrives & can be a safe place for youth to grow & express themselves. For this to happen, two things are needed: 1) Management needs to be curious, vulnerable, & accountable for the harm they are causing to the children. No more deflection. 2) They need to pursue ongoing training to equip themselves to appropriately & safely engage with children & young adults.
June 10 · Katy Geisert
My daughter loves this class!Teachers are engaged and incredible.
January 02 · Tanveer Alibhai
December 13 · Megumi P