Welcome Back to the Klay Area, Mr. Thompson

The NBA season is in full swing, and with a 7-1 record, the Golden State Warriors are balling.

As the Bay Area prepares to host the NBA All-Star game in February, and with the WNBA’s latest expansion team the Golden State Valkyries set to debut in May, it’s a good time to be a local hoops fan.

That is, unless you’re a big Klay Thompson fan. But don’t worry. After his sign-and-trade deal this past off-season, the beloved former Golden State Warriors shooting guard makes his return to the Bay as a member of the Dallas Mavericks to play the Warriors on Nov. 12.

Amidst the mixed emotions, there’s no denying that Captain Klay played a huge part in the Dubs dynasty that brought about four championship titles over the past decade.

To recognize that fact ahead of the splash brother reunion, Oakland’s SoleSpace — a sneaker store and creative lab — hosts a weekend-long art tribute to Klay Thompson called Klay Area.

Co-coordinated by SoleSpace owner Jeff Perlstein and artist Jonathan Chan, the event will feature visual art pieces paying homage to Thompson, who holds the NBA record for points scored in a single quarter (37) and the most three-pointers made in a game (14).

Works from Kaitlyn Joe-Johnson, Shomari Smith, Jason Wong, Ray Yuen, Joel Rebello and more will be on display inside of the building on 9th Street in Old Oakland. Bright illustrations, creative remixes of images from popular culture and a dig at Klay’s comedic time in China are among the pieces included.

‘Klay Area,’ an all-ages exhibition, opens Friday, Nov. 8, and runs through Saturday and Sunday. Entry is donation-based. For more details check SoleSpace’s Instagram.