Handcrafted eyeballs stared back at visitors. Reptiles appeared to emerge from eggs. Tiny clay creatures gathered on tables, eerie photographs lined the walls and a sculpted head became an irresistible conversation piece.
The Dublin Arts Collective's Scary Art Show Reception returned to The Frame Company & Art Gallery on Saturday, October 24, bringing together 25 artists for an evening devoted to fear, mystery, imagination and the unknown.
The exhibition included painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, textiles and mixed media. Some works approached fear with humor and fantasy, while others explored darker psychological, social and personal themes.
Among the special guests was Ben Keisic, Parks and Community Services Manager for the City of Dublin. Keisic spent time meeting participating artists and learning about their work as Dublin's creative community looks ahead to the opening of the new Dublin Arts Center in 2027. "I enjoyed the reception and seeing the work the artists put into the show. It was a great evening, and it was nice to see so many people from the community come out to support local art." said Ben.
The inaugural Scary Art Show opened in 2021, and five years later, the presence of a City leader connecting directly with artists—and the approaching opening of a dedicated arts center—offered a meaningful indication of how far Dublin's arts landscape has progressed.
Dublin Arts Collective Board Member and City of Dublin Heritage and Cultural Arts Commissioner, Gina Gabriell contributed another of the evening's unforgettable sights: a clay sculpture of a her head displayed prominently on a table. Surrounded by creepy graphite sketches, emotionally charged oil paintings, silk paintings, etchings and tiny sea-like creatures, the work helped transform the gallery into a space that was unsettling, imaginative and often unexpectedly playful.
The Scary Art Show has also maintained a tradition of bringing different creative disciplines together.
This year, music again played an important role in the reception. Brandon Tran, a practicing musician for more than 20 years and founder of the newly established San Ramon Valley Philharmonic, performed a violin piece for guests. The live performance introduced a moment of beauty and reflection amid the darker imagery.
"Music has always been a part of my life, and I cannot imagine myself living without it! I formed the San Ramon Valley Philharmonic because after playing for more than 20 years and doing orchestral management for the last 3 years, I kept thinking to myself what more can I do with everything I've learned, experiences I gained, and connections I've built throughout my musical journey. And so, I made the brave decision to start up a brand new orchestra, with the aim to have professional musicians enhance the music scene in the entirety of the Tri-Valley."
The San Ramon Valley Philharmonic is a new addition to the Tri-Valley's cultural landscape and held its first board meeting on October 27, 2026. The organization is currently seeking patrons as it works toward bringing opera and full orchestral performances to San Ramon, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and Danville, in partnership with the San Ramon Academy of Music. Residents can look forward to ballet, chamber music, and even potentially one free community concert every season.
Tran's participation reflected the growing connections among visual artists, musicians and cultural organizations throughout the region.
The reception gave artists, community members and guests an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and celebrate the range of creative talent found throughout Dublin and the surrounding region. It also highlighted the value of connections between visual artists, musicians, cultural organizations and local government as the Tri-Valley's arts community continues to grow.
The Scary Art Show continues the Dublin Arts Collective (DAC)'s work of creating opportunities for local artists, building connections and demonstrating the value of a visible, active arts community. The DAC also welcomed a new Board member at the reception, Sarah Lee, an award-winning artist, curator and educator. Known for her imaginative sculptures that transform unconventional materials into thought-provoking works of art, Sarah brings a fresh artistic perspective and a passion for creative exploration and
will help shape DAC's exhibitions, arts education initiatives, and creative storytelling.
The Scary Art exhibition remains on view through Friday, October 30, at The Frame Company & Art Gallery, 7038 Village Parkway in Dublin.
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