Wonders Never Cease

Posted on November 4, 2009 
Filed Under Art, Tenderloin

I haven’t come across any more witty nicknames yet, but I do have more to say about the Tenderloin and the wave of artistic energy that is gaining momentum here.

According the National Endowment for the Arts Artists in the Workforce study for 1995-2005, San Francisco has the highest percentage of artists in the labor force of any American city (3.71%). It makes sense that many artists would make their homes in the TL—it’s always been a haven for working class creative types because it’s one of the last truly affordable neighborhoods in San Francisco.

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Soon after he opened his barber salon/art gallery about two years ago, Public owner Steve Jester told me “The Tenderloin is the new Lower East Side.” That rang true to me, and I doubt I’d be the first to suggest that it’s also the new Mission. When I moved to the Bay Area eight years ago, the Mission was in the early stages of its arts and culture explosion. I’ve now lived in the ‘Loin for over three years, and perhaps it’s my heightened awareness of the haps in the ‘hood, but art seems to be pushing up like dandelions through cracks in the pavement around here lately.

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Shall we count the ways? Public joined established veterans White Walls and Shooting Gallery on Larkin and well-known Space Gallery*** on Polk. Now we have Ever Gold on O’Farrell, host to one of the site-specific exhibits included in the limited-time Wonderland Project. Socially conscious Gallery Heist is joining the fold on November 14th, taking over the tiny space on Geary that used to house 20 GOTO 10 gallery. And those are just the places I know about, not including the many arts-supporting cafes and bars in the Thirstyloin.

But wait, there’s more! Something big has been taking shape in there heart of the ‘Loin over the past few years, and on October 1st, Gray Area Foundation for the Arts (GAFFTA) officially opened its doors on 55 Taylor street, transforming a space that was once a porn theater into a new bastion of optimism and creativity. A nonprofit digital arts and technology center “dedicated to building social consciousness through digital culture,” Gray Area serves a new generation of artists by providing a working studio space that encourages collaboration. At the same time they serve their community “by making digital culture accessible, substantive and inspiring.”

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Featuring new works from three pioneers in the field of digital art—C.E.B. Reas, Camille Utterback and Stamen Design, Gray Area’s critically acclaimed inaugural exhibition “Open” encapsulates the foundation’s philosophy and intention to use innovative technology to encourage collaboration, sharing of resources, and openness, in both the creative process and the community. Meet the people that made GAFFTA happen.

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In summary, there’s evidence of a new generation of socially conscious artists living in the Tenderloin who are reaching into an ever-expanding digital universe while at the same time planting their roots into the immediate community. They’re doing it themselves, all together. If this is an example of a macro-trend manifesting on the micro-level, then there might be hope for us yet. At the very least it’s inspiring, and that’s no small thing in this day and age, especially in this neighborhood. Call it what you will (except for North of Market, ‘cause lord knows we don’t need a NOMA), it’s prime time to start paying attention to The Artsyloin.

The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts Gallery is free and open to the public Tuesday-Friday, 1pm–6pm. “Open” runs until Nov. 18th. Don’t miss a special free symposium with all three of the exhibition’s artists next Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6pm.

–Sara

*** This Thursday Space Gallery will be hosting CULTURSHOCK!
 Please join the editors and writers of Culturcosm on Nov. 5 at 6pm for a seismic event showcasing an impressive roster of Bay Area artists and designers, many of whom you’ve read about right here. Learn more.


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