16 Artists Unite: Secession Art & Design’s 16th Anniversary
We love a great group art show. Starting August 24th, you can view the work of 16 local artists at Secession Art & Design’s 16th anniversary showcase in Bernal Heights. The collective of talented artists are coming back together with art that draws inspiration from textiles with bold color stories. Guided by the curatorial expertise of Eden Stein, the once-empty space at 307 Cortland transforms into a captivating open gallery.
What I find most captivating about a group exhibition is the immersion into a diverse array of artworks crafted by numerous local artists. It’s kind of similar to stepping into a museum, knowing that within those gallery walls, there’s something waiting to ignite your inspiration. This not only exposes the audience to a rich spectrum of artworks but also offers the artists an opportunity to showcase their talents in a gallery setting without the requirement of presenting an entire series of pieces.
What’s most especially special about this show is that Eden is coming back to curating an in-person show after having been showcasing work virtually for several years.
by Hilary Williams
Tell me how you got started as an artist and also a gallery curator
“I founded Secession Art & Design in 2007 in San Francisco to share my passion for art, design and supporting my community. I was a preschool teacher with a decade of dedication to early education. My income as a teacher was not enough to afford to live in SF, so to supplement I started to host art pop-ups at an office that was offered up by one of my student’s parents. When the firm moved locations, I quit my teaching job and took over their lease on the border of Mission and Bernal. This was the start of my pivot from early educator to small business owner. This took a lot of risk and strategy to survive everything Mission Street had in store from 9 years of construction, the 3300 fire, and the Muni changes. Without a degree in art or business, I was able to manage and support over 70 artists for a successful 15 years! I curated over 100 art shows, met so many wonderful customers, and learned that curating art is my art. Yes, I would do it all over again,” remembers Eden.
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Here’s a previous show of theirs in 2022:
Why did Succession Art & Design Move to a virtual gallery?
I was curious to talk to Eden about the biggest difference between a physical space and a virtual gallery space. As a curator, I suspected that you’d have to treat both types of galleries differently. What I learned was that sometimes you do have to evolve as a curator just as you evolve as an artist. Sometimes life takes you down a path that presents new opportunities and challenges. I loved hearing about what Eden has learned along the way and also what brought them to the decision to close her gallery to begin with.
Eden Stein standing in front of the Secession Art & Design’s temporary gallery location in Bernal Heights
Artwork by Olena McMurtrey
“Secession, in my vision, was always meant to be an in-person experience, but I had a child and covid happened. Life changes and you have to make hard decisions. I closed my gallery in 2022 and moved my home and family to Santa Rosa in search of more affordable rent, childcare and to be closer to my aging parents. 100% the right decisions, but my heart still loves curating a gallery and connecting with the community in San Francisco. Renting 307 Corltand has allowed me to keep one foot in SF and still be a dedicated mama to a curious four-year-old. The virtual gallery holds space online so that people can look at our collection on their own time. The pop-up allows customers and friends to see art hung on the wall and crush on what they want to take home. Art is the important sauce to a happy oasis,” says Eden.
Artwork by Phillip Hua
How group shows help us grow as artists:
It’s inspiring to see artists come together to create a larger work of art – the gallery show itself.Whenever i’m part of a group show, I also am inspired, maybe even more so than the viewers of the show themselves. And there’s an electricity in the air when you are at an opening. Everyone is proud of the group effort and you meet artists whom you never knew you’d be able to consider a colleague or even a new friend. Local Journalism for Working stiffs We write for the poets, busboys, and bartenders. We cover workers, not ‘tech’, not the shiny ‘forbes 100 bullshit’. We write about the business on your corner and the beer in your hand. Join the Bay's best newsletter.
“Secession Art & Design is celebrating our 16th anniversary with 16 + artists. This pop-up is so much more than just another gallery show. It is a celebration of the SF art community and beyond. Our common thread is a deep connection to the city. My twist as a curator was looking for art that was playful, colorful and had texture. Doing a group show is my way to show the vast landscape of art being made locally and that our city is getting back to its roots of being a place of art and culture. When you purchase a painting, a ripple effect happens. I use my commission to pay for rent, childcare, pay down my covid debts, and food. Artists use their commissions for immediate expenses, art supplies, and to pay for their studios. We hope to create a gorgeous collection that will look fantastic in your home. Collecting art is a powerful way to keep every dollar local. By showing up to this event on August 24-27 you are sending a powerful message that you believe in SF and that art is a necessity. Also, a bonus is that we are next to the bar Holy Water,” says Eden.
Events like the Succession’s upcoming gallery show keep communities of artists thriving and inspired by each other. It brings life into sleepy neighborhoods and, for me, gets me excited about the wonderful things happening within our community.
Secession’s 16th AnniversaryEvent Details Here:
Secession’s 16th Anniversary on August 24-27 at 307 Cortland in Bernal.
https://www.secessionsf.com/current
If you’re eager for a sneak peek of the upcoming art, you can purchase it ahead of the pop-up event through our virtual gallery.
Featured Artists in the Secession Show:
Secession Art & Design @secessionsf/
Ana Carol Pesce Imlay @caracarole/
Bianca Levan @biancalevan/
David Imlay @davidimlay/
Heather Robinson @hnrfineart/
Hilary Williams @hilaryatthecircus/
Josh Coffy @giftprolific/
Linda Donohue @lindadonohueart/
Nikki Vismara @cash_vizzi/
Olena McMurtrey @olenamcmurtrey/
Phillip Hua @philliphua/
Rachel Znerold @rachel.z.art/
Rebecca Katz @rebeccakatzart/
Renee DeCarlo@studioreneedecarlo/
Shiri Phillips @shiriphillipsdesigns/
Shannon Amidon @shannonamidon/
Stephanie Steiner @stephaniesteinerj/
Victoria Veedell @victoria_veedell/
Artwork by Heather Robinson
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