Open Studios 2014

Once the calendar turns the page to October, then all hell breaks loose!  October is the time to be in San Francisco when the weather is at it's best and it is Open Studios 2014 time (and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Castro Street Fair and Blue Angels!)

Preview Weekend: October 11 & 12

The SF Open Studios Exhibition is open! View over 400 artworks by SF Open Studios artists and plan your studio tours for the next four weekends. 

Weekend 1: October 18 & 19, 11am to 6pm
Hunters Point Shipyard & Islais Creek Studios

Weekend 2: October 25 & 26, 11am to 6pm
SOMA, Tenderloin, Downtown, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Bayview, Portola, Excelsior (Francisco Studios 2337 San Jose Ave), Balboa Park

Weekend 3: November 1 & 2, 11am to 6pm
Mission, Castro, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley, Upper Market, Glen Park

Weekend 4: November 8 & 9, 11am to 6pm
Fort Mason, Marina, Pacific Heights, Russian Hill, North Beach, Hayes Valley, NOPA, Haight, Buena Vista, Richmond, The Presidio, Sunset, West Portal, Oceanview

My weekend is the Oct 25th and 26 if you haven't guessed.  There are many, many great pieces of art at affordable prices and all it takes to finding that perfect piece is to study the Guide and then visit your top 10  artists.    And, if you are new to art buying/collecting, there is a little bit about collectors and what they look for in the nifty and free OS Guide.  You may not think of yourself as a collector but you want to enhance your living space.  Art adds interest, a sense of space and becomes a living part of  your environment.   

This is how I approach art buying because not only do I make art, I buy art.  I study the Guide especially if I plan on going to Hunters Point.  That location has many artists and it can be overwhelming.  You can burn out from all the visuals so one needs to be selective.  Choose around 10 studios that you want to spend time in.  Do not hesitate to talk to the artist.  Ask questions about the process.  Read their resume (there is usually something like that on a table, next to the munchies).   You don't have to buy the art right then and there.  Go home and think about it and it is a good sign if you keep thinking about the piece of interest.  Then, buy it.  The artist is glad to sell work after their official open studio weekend is done.  

   For other locations, especially if there are less than 10 artists, I might go to every studio.  What usually happens though, is that I go to ArtLaunch, the exhibition at SOMarts, make a note of the artists I like, and either buy something then (30% of the proceeds go to ArtSpan's educational program) or follow up by going to that artist's open studios.  ArtLaunch is really fun; all participating artists (400 or so?) exhibit one piece no larger than 20 in X 20 in, the perfect size for any San Francisco wall.

ArtLaunch

• When: Thursday, October 9, 6:30-9:00pm
• Where: SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, SF
• About ArtLaunch: Join ArtSpan as an Art Lover Member to attend the VIP portion of the event from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, featuring an open bar, light fare, and special treats. At 7:30pm, doors open to general admission and the party continues until 9:00pm, with an open bar, snacks, and a chance to win prizes in our drawing!  
• Creative cocktail attire encouraged. Please note that ArtLaunch 2014 is a 21+ event.