With the recent reopening of the expanded San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), combined with new galleries and a growing collector base, the contemporary art scene in San Francisco is burgeoning. Here are some of my favorite galleries in the city.
Opening only a few days after the SFMOMA in May 2016, the Gagosian Gallery is conveniently positioned directly opposite the redesigned Museum of Modern Art. This new exhibition space represents the 16th gallery in the Gagosian global network but is curated autonomously from its affiliated outposts. The striking 4,500-square-foot space, featuring light gray design accents, steel pillars and a skylight that floods the room with natural light, offers four rotating exhibits per year and periodic art events. Highlights of the recent display were the bronze “Tête de Femme” by Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti’s “Standing Woman.” The flow of space within the gallery lends itself to close appraisal of the works of art.
Gagosian Gallery
657 Howard Street. Tel. (415) 546-3990
Around the corner from Gagosian Gallery, a narrow vertical sign against an exposed brick wall beckons visitors to the discreet entrance of Crown Point Press. Founded in 1962 and specializing in etching and woodcuts, this unique gallery encompasses a studio, a large, open exhibition space and a small bookstore. Crown Point invites select artists to come to the studio and collaborate with master printers. A limited number of hand-printed iterations of finished works are then displayed in curated shows in the main gallery, and a wealth of available prints is open to the public in adjacent rooms. The staff are charming and informative.
Crown Point Press
20 Hawthorne Street. Tel. (415) 974-6273
Set at the edge of the developing Dogpatch District, the Minnesota Project encompasses 10 permanent galleries, short-term projects, a media room and an arts education nonprofit, all housed in three renovated warehouses. The strategy is to create a “self-sustaining arts district” by offering low-cost atelier rentals and affordable gallery spaces for artists to display their work and by promoting an environment where collaboration is encouraged. The sprawling 15,000-square-foot industrial-style structure with concrete floors, exposed piping, trusses and metal ceilings features thought-provoking interactive displays, installations and multimedia presentations. Additionally, a new café overseen by chef Daniel Patterson (who also manages the renowned four-star Coi restaurant) is slated to open in the main atrium in October 2016.
Minnesota Project
1275 Minnesota Street. Tel. (415) 243-0825
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
1 (800) 375-4685
Open M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM CT
