History of The Dome
In 1976, Peter Voulkos purchased a dome-shaped food processing factory in Oakland, California to make space for his signature, large-scale ceramic and bronze sculptures, as well as to nurture an affordable live/work space for Bay Area artists. The creative community encapsulated within the hundred-year-old walls continues to thrive today.
[Image Description: a photo of Peter Voulkos posing in front of an open kiln that is several feet taller and wider than him and is glowing orange.]
The Dome building was first purchased by Peter Voulkos in 1976. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Construction of studio and living spaces began immediately and continued through 1980. Pictured: artists Clay Jensen and Alan Rice installing a wall along The Dome roof while Paddy and Peter Voulkos take a break. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1977.
Pictured: Clay Jensen working on a living space for Peter Voulkos circa 1977. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Around 1980, Peter Voulkos began construction on a studio space for his large-scale ceramic and bronze sculptures. Pictured: Clay Jensen and Peter Voulkos circa 1980. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
A dump truck was used to haul in sand to level the floor. Pictured: Danny Voulkos. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Peter Voulkos worked with a local Black-owned concrete business to pour the concrete flooring. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1980.
The concrete was poured and finished in sections at a time. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1980.
Meanwhile Peter Voulkos was very active in building out the rest of his studio and living spaces. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Peter Voulkos welding walls in his space circa 1980. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Young Aris Voulkos playing with toy trucks during a cement pour at The Dome circa 1980. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Inside The Dome circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Peter Voulkos' pottery studio. Photo circa 1980 by Marilyn Levine.
Sam Jornlin assisted Peter with his archive and maintains the Voulkos & Co Catalogue to this day. Here she is pictured working on Peter Voulkos' office circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Peter Voulkos archived and sold work in his office pictured here circa 1980. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Clay Jensen (pictured), Ana Lisa Hedstrom, David Herring, and Gert Weil were the first artists to be invited to use studio spaces at The Dome starting in 1977. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Ana Lisa Hedstrom in her studio circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Gert Weil in her studio circa 1977. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Tom Holland working in his studio circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Jody Gillerman in her studio circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Bella Feldman's studio circa 1979 with Shiela Sexton, Bella's assistant, pictured in the background.
Looking down into Bella Feldman's studio where she worked with polyester resin on fiber glass. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Matt Glavin in his studio circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Don Farnsworth (of Magnolia Press) working on his offset lithography press circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Sharon Jokela working on a large loom in her studio circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Some artists had living spaces in addition to their studios. Marilyn Levine, whose kitchen and living room is pictured here, used salvaged furniture and materials to build with. The bar was made from an old church pew and cabinets were salvaged from a defunct department store.
Inside Marilyn Levine's studio was her "operating table" made from tables from Capwell's Department Store, with built-in lighting and airbrushing setup. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1980.
Marilyn Levine's models hung all along her studio walls. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1980.
Dan Voulkos (Peter's nephew) in his studio space circa 1979. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Dan Voulkos and his wife Lilah also had a living space in The Dome. Dan (pictured here) is a talented artist. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1979.
Harold's market was a special memory of The Dome in the early days. Artists paid for refreshments by the honor system. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1978.
Many early tales of The Dome came from the rooftop hot tub room, which lasted for only ten years. Photo by Marilyn Levine.
Many artist parties took place in the building, including Peter Voulkos' Thanksgivings where he would roast turkeys in the kilns. Pictured are Glen Jampol talking with Peter Voulkos behind Joe DiStefano and Pier Voulkos in the background, and Tanya Kolvaleski, Nancy Bell, Brian Wall, and Vaea Marx in the foreground. Photo by Marilyn Levine circa 1980.
Building partner Marilyn Levine (left) hosted happy hours and artists from around the world would stop by The Dome to visit, including fellow hyperrealism pioneer Duane Hanson pictured here with Levine's yellow Datsun.
Aerial photo of The Dome, 1988.
Clay Jensen working in his studio, 2017. Photo by Maria del Monaco.
Tom Holland's studio at The Dome circa 1983.
JP Long and Bella Feldman working in their studio, 2017. Photo by Maria del Monaco.
Mollie Ferguson and Heather Trosdahl working in their studio, 2017. Photo by Maria del Monaco.
Laura Van Duren working in her studio, 2017. Photo by Maria del Monaco.
Hallway to artist studios at The Dome, 2016. Photo by Maria del Monaco.
Peter Voulkos' studio at The Dome in 2016 before the theater is built. Photo by Maria del Monaco.