artistic underwater Lake Merritt immersion

With Bar Skula being located next to Lake Merritt, we wanted to bring a sense of our surroundings into our space. Working with four local artists we created a fantastical underwater Lake Merritt experience while dining.

East Oakland Muralist from Chile Pancho Pescador was our first conversation. Inspired by King Kong and Godzilla from our youth, Pancho and Pablito Something brought to life the Lake Merritt monster in an epic battle with an octopus. Many landmarks are represented on the shores with lots of Oakland easter eggs. Leopard Sharks are also known to swim in our lake….and then the axolotl and blowfish filled out the space.

We were inspired by Ally Markovich’s Oaklandside article “What’s lurking beneath Lake Merritt? More than you think” where we learned about the microorganisms that live as our neighbors in the waters before us. Photos from naturalist Damon Tighe have been framed and hang on our walls.

Oakland Papier-Mâché Artist Daniel Camacho created three pieces inspired by these Lake Merritt creature photos.