Art Parties & Zine Fests in the Bay
By Kristen Chen
NATURE, ART, & EVERYDAY LIFE
OMCA’s current exhibition on J.B. Blunk, a quintessential 1960s Northern California artist, is worth crossing the bridge for. Blunk’s connection to nature continues to influence current design and craft styles in the Bay Area. Since the show closes on September 8th, a guided tour is the perfect way to experience it.
TOUR | J.B. BLUNK: NATURE, ART, & EVERYDAY LIFE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 12PM
OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA
17TH ANNUAL ZINE FEST
Support the Bay’s artists and do-it-yourself publishing scene at the annual zine fest. Over 200 exhibitors are tabling including Jess Wu’s Mixed Rice Zines, RE/Search and Search&Destroy, and Awkward Ladies Club. Readings and workshops will also be held throughout the day.
SF ZINE FEST
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 11AM – 5PM
COUNTRY FAIR BUILDING (IN GOLDEN GATE PARK)
1199 9TH AVE.
THE AIR OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Gigantic, fantastical air-filled artworks are spread across the Exploratorium’s indoor and outdoor galleries for this exhibition. These sculptures include otherworldly organisms, inflatable rooms, and other interactive works. This is the last day of this exhibition, so don’t miss out on the chance to expand your perception of contemporary art.
INFLATABLE: EXPANDING WORKS OF ART
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 10AM – 5PM
EXPLORATORIUM
GRANT WRITING FOR ARTISTS
Learn how to write compelling grant applications with artist and expert Kevin Seaman at this workshop from Intersection for the Arts. The session will cover topics like interpreting guidelines, writing compelling narratives, budgeting, and providing proper documents– all the essentials for artists and art administrators.
ARTIST GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 5PM – 8PM
INTERSECTION FOR THE ARTS, 901 MISSION #306
TENDERLOIN ZINE MART
Switch up your weekly routine and head to the Tenderloin for its First Thursday Art Walk. Fleet Wood will be selling zines from over 60 artists in addition to the artist-made tees, tote bags, prints, and artworks that the it normally sells. The Asian Art Museum and other spaces also have events on Thursday night for the Art Walk.
ZINE MART III
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 3PM – 10PM
FLEET WOOD SF, 839 LARKIN ST
SF STORIES COME TO LIFE
coming home is a new citywide project to help foster more dialogue between residents that have homes and those who don’t. Contemporary artist John Craig Freeman has designed life-size augmented scenes from San Francisco where viewers can meet a diverse range of people to hear their stories. Be sure to bring an iPhone or tablet device and earbuds to get the full experience.
COMING HOME
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-16
PROXY SF, 432 OCTAVIA BLVD
YBCA’S SURVEY OF THE BAY
The opening party for YBCA’s signature triennial, Bay Area Now, is a celebration of current art from local artists, architects, and designers. This survey exhibition takes a broader look at Northern California artists and explores the challenges they face (and their responses). Hosted by Honey Mahogany, the party will also have drag performances and a curated selection of DJ’s by the STUD.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY | BAY AREA NOW 8
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 7PM – 11PM
YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
ART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Start your Oakland 1st Friday at Vessel Gallery for the opening of Utopia, an exhibition where artists have tried to seek or build their version of utopia. Utopia is not only a place, but also a response to the need for environmental preservation. This exhibition is also partnered with the Global Climate Action Summit (Sept. 12 – 14) and COAL + ICE, so look out for more climate-related exhibitions this month.
UTOPIA: FORECASTING OUR FUTURE OPENING RECEPTION
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 6PM – 9PM
VESSEL GALLERY, 471 25TH ST, OAKLAND
ZINES, HERE AND QUEER
Located around the corner from the popular restaurant Hella Vegan Eats, the Bay Area Queer Zine Fest is another experience that shows the diversity in the Bay’s independent publishing zine. Support underrepresented voices from artists and related activist groups.
BAY AREA QUEER ZINE FEST 2018
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 11AM – 6PM
HUMANIST HALL, 390 27TH ST, OAKLAND
A CONVERSATION FOR THE SENSES
The latest installment in The Lab’s conversation series Experience It features Swiss artist Shahryar Nashat and his thoughts on highly immersive exhibitions. As the role of the artist continues to change, how have artists’ approaches to exhibitions also changed in the 21st century? Viewers can expect to walk away with a better understanding of how we engage with contemporary art spaces today.
EXPERIENCE IT: SHAHRYAR NASHAT
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 6PM – 8PM
THE LAB, 2948 16TH ST
CHINESE CLIMATE CHANGE
Catch the opening and panel discussion of Trace Evidence, a media exhibition that explores issues of environmental change with a focus on China. Three visual artists who were born in China have created work to spark conversations about climate change for the show. MSP’s lounge will also be hosting an opening for Italian artist Valentino Catricala’s work on Saturday night.
A CROSS-CULTURAL VISUAL DIALOGUE ON CLIMATE CHANCE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 6PM – 8PM
1275 MINNESOTA ST
M + M + M + M
This special edition of Bird & Beckett’s poetry readings features 4 poets with an ‘m’ at the beginning of their name: Miriam Bird Greenberg, Margaret Stawowy, Melissa Stein & Maw Shein Win. To match, macaroons, meringue, and merlot will be served at this cozy bookstore. The shop also hosts open mic nights and live jazz music on other days of the week.
M M M M: 4 POETS AT BIRD & BECKETT
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 7PM – 9PM
BIRD & BECKETT BOOKS, 653 CHENERY ST
A SURREAL DINNER PARTY
The Midway’s resident artist, Isis Hockenos has transformed the gallery into a 3-D, life-sized painting for the night. Dinner guests are invited to climb inside to explore the artist’s colorful and wild world before enjoying a meal with ingredients sourced from West Marin. Ticket price includes wine pairing.
NIGHT FISHING: IMMERSIVE ART & DINING EXPERIENCE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 7PM – 9PM
THE MIDWAY GALLERY & ARTIST STUDIOS, 900 MARIN ST
AN ART AUCTION WITH IMPACT
The 18th annual art auction by the Coalition on Homelessness features pieces by over two-hundred local artists and activists. Transform art into impact by raising funds to end poverty and homelessness in San Francisco. There will also be live music from The Onyx and other performances.
ARTAUCTION18: TRANSFORMING ART INTO ACTION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 5:30PM – 10PM
SOMARTS CULTURAL CENTER, 934 BRANNAN ST
VISIT AN ARTIST’S STUDIO
Art Explosion Studios, the Mission’s largest artists’ collective is holding its annual Fall Open Studios this weekend. Over 100 artists– painters, sculptures, photographers, fashion designers, jewelers– will be opening up their doors for a rare look into their personal workspaces. Come mingle with your next favorite artist at Friday night’s free opening reception gala to kick off the weekend.
ART EXPLOSION FALL OPEN STUDIOS
FRIDAY- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14-16
ART EXPLOSION STUDIOS, 2425 17TH ST & 744 ALABAMA ST
ANARCHY FOR ALL
You don’t have to be an anarchist to attend the 23rd Annual Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair– it’s also for anyone interested in radical work and various political traditions. Workshops taking place that day will focus on topics like transformative justice, building a united front against fascism, and other anti-racist/ anti-capitalist/ anti-everything. Don’t miss out on one of the largest radical gatherings in the world.
2018 BAY AREA ANARCHIST BOOK FAIR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 10AM – 6:30PM
OMNI COMMONS, 4799 SHATTUCK AVE
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