Rise Above Graphics is a screen print shop run by myself and occasional other helpers. We specialize in printing on fabric and clothing. We print limited edition runs of artist designed t-shirts as well as doing custom printing for a wide variety of customers. We also offer design services.
I started the print operation in 2005 after much trial and error and self teaching. What started out small has gained a lot of momentum and now Rise Above has an excellent reputation and almost more work that we can sometimes handle. We print for many local artists, bands, shops, schools, etc. and offer discounts for non-profits.
I've had a dream of joining efforts with others for a long time. When I was ready to move into a public space I was fortunate enough to come across a wonderful corner spot on Telegraph and decided to expand into an art gallery as well. It was such a pleasure to spend 3 years there helping artists and guest curators use the space for a wide variety of creativity and expression. Rise Above and Smokeys Tangle developed the Temescal Art Hop and maintained the Temescal First Fridays and I'm hoping we can both find a way to resist being pushed out of the neighborhood and keep supporting the arts in Temescal.
Now that I am being evicted from my spot, for condo conversion I'm looking to find a place where I can both focus on my print shop and also be part of a community with a cross pollination of ideas, efforts and energy.
To be honest I am concerned for the future of this neighborhood, which is also my home. Instead of moving my shop elsewhere I'd much prefer to stay and join the group effort to maintain conscious growth and resist rampant commercialization and homogenization.
My income comes from customers who pay for my design and print skills. It's not the most lucrative business but it has been maintaining itself (and my daughter and I) for the past several years. I can contribute to the Omni financially in the form of rent. I can also offer my print services to the community for cheap or barter. I also envison working with the other artists/printers/curators/teachers etc. within the collective on collaborations of making, learning, art events, etc. The possibilities actually seem kind of infinite at this point!
Looking forward to getting to know everyone more and talking more about all this potential.
Gabriela Laz
Hey all,I regret to bring this up just after what was largely a productive and important meeting.However, based on my conversations with sudo room members after the meeting was over, I need to require that my abstain for this vote must be changed to a block vote.Unfortunately, the sudo room has not previously consented to adding a new member collective. For a decision as serious as adding a new member, I hope the other members of The Omni Oakland Collective can respect this change of position, and the need to take time. I hear this strongly from our sudo community and I hope this resonates with you all.I wish I was more prepared and able to respond in a timely fashion during the meeting today, but regretfully, I was not and did not.You can see no such decision or approval to add Rise Above as a new member collective was made this past meeting: https://sudoroom.org/wiki/Meeting_Notes_2014-08-27Nor on the 13th: https://sudoroom.org/wiki/Meeting_Notes_2014-08-13The sudo room members were waiting for a more formal proposal answering the questions here: http://wiki.omni-oakland.org/w/JoinIs someone willing to contact Rise Above directly, ASAP?// Matt