Spring Open Studios 2009 in the Mission

We had a successful Artist Reception this past Friday night, April 24th and then great Spring Open Studios weekend in the Mission. With over 8 artist collective buildings all pretty much within walking distance, the Mission is really emerging as a great arts district. One blogger online said the Mission is still the place to see unexpected quality contemporary (and edgier) art work.

I have to say the edgiest thing I saw this weekend in the Mission was one artist who had a large dark foreboding industrial landscape painting that had what looked like a river of blood - only to find out the artist HAD mixed real menstrual blood with her paint. Get the HAZMAT team! But it sure stuck with me! And that is one of the great roles of fine art.

Both the featured artists in our gallery, Margo Mullen and Elizabeth Stahl, sold at the reception and it looked like everyone had a good time. They brought in new work to replace what was sold so be sure and stop by the gallery to see the latest!

Open Studios 2008 Mission

We had a very successful Fall Open Studios at 18th and Treat Streets last weekend. Not only was it Open Studios throughout all the art collectives in the Mission neighborhood (and there are many now, which is super great), but it was also the building launch party so everyone chipped in for food and lots of wine and a DJ. There were also videos playing on a large screen on the wall in the open space area of the second floor.

We met a ton of great people - every time the building has a large event like this, so many more people in the city find out that we're here and there is lots happening in this new building!

Unfortunately, I was so busy with the event, I did a horrible job getting photos, so I only got one of part of the gallery before the event started and the second photo is just a shot towards the end of the weekend, as the crowd was thinning out upstairs on the second floor pavilion.