San Francisco Celebrates 20 Years of Heart Sculptures

“America’s Greatest City by the Bay” -Tony Bennett’s Heart in Union Square Photo: SFGHF

A golden ray of sun was shining down on that little patch of heaven in Golden Gate Park next to the de Young Museum. ‘Lindy in the Park’ was in full swing. Dancers were a hoppin’ and a boppin’. Old-timer SF Water-color-ful artist Saul Levy was sippin’ a brew and painting the heavenly scene as he frequently does on Sundays. He sells his colorful art postcards to passersby from a box mounted on the back of his trusty bicycle. I was Lindy hoppin’, Shim shammin’ and Tranky doin’.

The DJ  started playing “I Left my Heart in San Francisco”. I noticed Saul wearing a sweatshirt with a heart graphic iron-on. I danced my way over to him. I’d had ‘hearts’ on my mind ever since attending the 20th Anniversary SF Hearts Gala. Found out Saul is one of SF’s Heart Sculpture Artists (like myself). And he was actually wearing his own heart on his sleeve. We had a heart-to-heart talk. He painted two heart sculptures back in 2010 and 2013. Both were auctioned to raise money for San Francisco General Hospital. Hearts in SF just celebrated their 20th Anniversary. That’s 549 heart sculptures and a cool 38 million raised for charity.

Have you seen the heart sculptures scattered around San Francisco? (View heart map here – https://sfghf.org/map/)

My love for San Francisco, and San Francisco heart sculptures grew stronger after my heartfelt chat with Saul.

Saul’s story about his “Diamonds, Jubilee & Fireworks” heart sculpture

Saul was working in his garage on his hands and knees painstakingly sanding this very large 400lb heart-shaped object. As he was rubbing the heart, he envisioned Aladdin’s magical lamp. Perhaps a Genie will pop out and grant him one wish? Better yet, a Genie will buy the heart! He envisioned a sickly patient waiting in the hospital. The patient had only one wish… to live. He realized his heart sculpture could make the difference between a wish getting granted…or not. He felt newfound inspiration as he began his heart creation.

A Genie did buy Saul’s heart for 50k and someone’s wish did come true.

Fairy-tales do come true…Saul Levy’s giant heart was bought by a Genie

Singer Tony Bennett painted a heart sculpture the first year Hearts in San Francisco was conceived (by movers and shakers Nancy Bechtle and Ellen Magnin Newman). Titled “America’s Greatest City by the Bay” (gotta agree with that!) Tony’s heart greeted tourists and locals in Union Square for years. It was recently moved to the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel where Mr. Bennett (RIP) first sang “I Left my Heart in San Francisco” in The Venetian Room in 1961.

And in 2020 one single heart sculpture raised a record-breaking $3 million, funding a much-needed “Addiction Care Team” for the Hospital.

Welcome to the 20th Anniversary “Hearts after Dark” Gala

I asked my Deli Godmother for a ticket to the ball. I may be a Renegade Deli Heiress but I’m also a starving *Headcheese artist. My Deli Godmother delivered. After all I was a Heart Artist! My heart was sold in 2022. I’m sure a wish was granted. (*Headcheese /ˈhed.tʃiːz/: Headcheese is a cold cut that originated in Europe. Headcheese is not a dairy cheese. There is no cheese involved.)

The earlier part of the glamorous evening catered to those with big hearts and even bigger wallets. Group tables cost up to 10k. The impressive room was filled with philanthropists, doctors, artists, socialites, chaplains and hearts. Mayor London Breed spoke, as well as Nancy Pelosi. Of course the San Francisco Boys Chorus sang “I Left my Heart in San Francisco”…tugging on heart strings and…purse strings.

Heart and purse strings were tugged as SF Boys Chorus sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” photo: Sfgh Foundation

“Hero and Heart” Awardees Andre Campbell MD, Hali Hammer MD, and Claire Chuck Bohman, M.Div. BCC were honored. The Community Impact Awardee went to BEST Neighborhoods (Bridge and Engagement Services Team Neighborhoods) which provides street-based behavioral health care throughout the city.

And of course, heart sculptures were auctioned.

That’s 88,748 Lego bricks by artist Nathan Sawaya. Up for auction!

Nimisha Doongarwal’s 2024 heart – “The Palace”

It was all quite remarkable and moving, as far as I could tell from my perch on the…outside of the Conservatory looking in. The portion of the gala I was attending did not start until 8:30 pm. My Bart coachman in his shiny silver Bart carriage escorted me across the bay and dropped me off a bit early right in front of the stunning One Sansome Conservatory.

I befriended a Chaplain on the outside looking in

I befriended another attendee who had arrived a bit early as well, as Chaplain. She worked with ‘Hero and Heart’ Awardee Claire Chuck Bohman. Rev Boham is in charge of the multi-faith spiritual care department at the SF General Hospital. They are also the founder of the Transgender Spiritual Care Initiative and passionate about helping spiritual care providers deepen their understanding of gender diversity and improving spiritual care for gender diverse people.

The Chaplain and myself put our chilly hands in our pockets and pressed our cold noses up to the glass and gazed into the lavish quarters where finely dressed San Franciscans sat around tables strewn with no less than 50 various sized glass beverage containers. The Conservatory ceiling glowed blood red, and colorful heart sculptures big and small were showcased throughout the room. Heart shaped paddles were raised by attendees to purchase hearts sold on the auction block.

Do I hear $40k? Photo – Natalie Shrik for Drew Altizer Photography

8:30pm came quickly. Time for “Hearts after Dark”! I strolled down the short red carpet, received my heart entry bracelet, and joined the happening party inside. DJ Jazzy Jeff (from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) was spinning tunes. Break dancers were breakin’, drinks were pourin’ and hearts were poundin’.

Photo: Sfgh Foundation/Drew Altizer Photography

DJ Jazzy Jeff

Saul Sugarman wore a stunning tulle gown of his own design accessorized
with a heart shaped Kate Tova (Heart artist) purse.

Speaking of hearts a poundin’, I sauntered up to the bar, and wouldn’t you know, I bumped into my heart sculpture from 2022. Almost broke it. There it was surrounded by guests and leftover cocktails. My heart sure does get around. I had recently seen it at Neiman Marcus and APEC. Just then a well-dressed gent named Benny asked me to dance… “Eat your heart out… heart” I mumbled under my breath.

I really do miss that cheatin’ heart of mine. I designed my heart during Covid daze in 2022. It reads, “Wash your hands, Don’t touch your face, Open your heart”. Written horizontally and vertically over and over and over. schatziefrisch.com/art

I had to leave the ball by the stroke of midnight or my shiny silver Bart carriage would turn back into *Headcheese, and the Bart coachman would turn back into a rat. I ran to the exit and almost tripped down those Montgomery Bart Station steps. Sadly I lost my glass slipper in my haste! It has a piece of *Headcheese stuck to the heel. Perhaps a clipper-card-carrying Pirate will find it and return it to me, and we’ll live happily ever after.

Schatzie (aka Headcheesella) also wore a pink tulle gown of her own design

🖤Fare-thee-well,
Schatzie the Renegade Deli Heiress

Thanks Hearts of SF. You will forever be in my heart.

Self Portrait of Schatzie and her cheatin’ heart

San Francisco General Hospital Foundation
You too can own a heart.
https://sfghf.org/hearts-in-san-francisco/

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center
“Everyone is welcome here, no matter your ability to pay, lack of insurance, or immigration status. We’re much more than a medical facility; we’re a health care community promoting good health for all San Franciscans.”

Thanks to Priscilla Chan, MD, and her husband, Mark Zuckerberg for donating $75 million to the hospital in February 2015. Donations are always nice, but many of us can’t donate money. But can you donate your time? Come help others in need, and in turn you will help yourself.
https://zuckerbergsanfranciscogeneral.org/about-us/get-involved/

Support your local artist Saul Levy
Thanks Saul and Cheers to you.
https://saullevy.com/

San Francisco old timer and Heart Artist Saul Levy

Fairytales do come true.

Broke-Ass Stuart works because of reader support. Join us now.

Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.

I want to take the time to say thank you for supporting independent news media by reading BrokeAssstuart.com. Supporting independent news sources like Broke-Ass Stuart is vital to supporting our community because it amplifies the voices of a wide variety of diverse opinions. You also help support small businesses and local artists by sharing stories from Broke-Ass Stuart.

Because you're one of our supporters, I wanted to send over a pro-tip.

Our bi-weekly newsletter is a great way to get round ups of Broke-Ass Stuart stories, learn about new businesses in The Bay Area, find out about fun local events and be first in line for giveaways.

If you’d like to get our newsletter, signup right here, it takes 5 seconds.