spotlight artist: derick davies

East Bay Open Studios (EBOS) is a milestone occasion for hundreds of artists in the Bay Area, and this summer’s EBOS Spotlight Artist is a milestone selection in Oakland Art Murmur's history of events.

A senior graduating from Oakland School of the Arts this summer, Oakland painter Derick Davies comes to EBOS in 2025 for his first time, already showing an outstanding body of work. 

Derick truly stands out – his work having won over 300 votes during our public voting process.  His winning submission, titled “Self Bloom”, is a striking reflection and celebration of his identity, a collage of memory and self-portraiture boldly rendered. His confident use of color and form is a testament to the artistic voice he has developed in recent years, grounded in strong drawing skills that date back to his early childhood fascination with comic book legend Stan Lee.

Derick has also been selected for our newly launched Emerging Artist Program, which supports visual artists at the beginning of their careers, particularly those with limited experience exhibiting and selling their work. At Oakland Art Murmur, we define emerging artists as those who are just stepping onto the professional stage, but in meeting Derick, we see another definition: an artist coming into his own.

Through art camps and in critiques among fellow students at OSA, he discovered his facility in the craft, but more importantly he was urged to use his work to show himself to us.  Derick described that encouragement as the source of his finding a great store of ideas.  The way his works develop with that inspiration also invites viewers to enjoy his freedom and thoughtfulness as a way of likewise cultivating, and enriching, their own self-awareness.

Adding to this exciting moment with new recognition gained through EBOS, Derick has been awarded a full scholarship to California College of the Arts (CCA), where he will continue to pursue his artistic path this fall.  We congratulate him on this well-earned recognition and look forward to seeing his continued growth and impact in the art world.

Join us in celebrating Derick Davies at East Bay Open Studios 2025—an artist whose story and work inspire us all.

Learn more about Derick Davies on his Instagram and Website.