Open Studios San Francisco Review

Over the course of a month, artists open their studios to the public on the weekends.  Different neighborhoods are featured each week.  I choose studios by location: let's start here and walk to all the studios we can until we get cranky and go home.  You could also choose to see studios based on art medium/style, but this is a great way to see art outside of your comfort zone.

Each studio is different. Some are STUDIOS like in movies (which realistically starving artists can't afford but Hollywood says they can); others are rooms in their house or in their garage. But every one is great. (I saw some great houses; I wanted to move in. Jealous.)

Most of the artists also have little snacks to munch on.  I feel kinda weird because artists are supposed be starving and here I am eating their food:  "I swear, I'm here for the art.  I just happen to be eating too."  But the snacks are nice when you get hungry hitting up all the studios.

One of my favorite locations was in SOMA. It's a real studio with ~30 artists that's normally closed to the public .  One artist had shadow boxes, but her's are so much cooler than ones I've seen before. She (I think she) made social and political statements while being twisted funny.

Artspan
934 Brannan St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA

(415) 861-9838

Next Art Fair Review

NEXT Art Fair adjoins Art Chicago in the Merchandise Mart, this year a few floors above the Chicago Antiques Festival (I may misremember the exact name of this 3rd show). All are accessed with one ticket, which can be obtained for free in advance on the web.

This is a mind-blowing show, probably the finest art available for viewing and purchase by the Chicago public. Gallerists from around the world displayed works, in all media, from modern and contemporary artists. You will see pieces from artists just breaking out all the way up to Warhols and de Koonings.

If you're reading Yelp, you probably can't afford anything here. If you are a chambermaid reading Yelp to assist your Lady with her future social calendar, she can probably afford something. But this should discourage none of us hoi polloi from gawking and admiring. Dude: take a date. Stay for a snack or wine at the many food stations.

Make sure you see the antiques also. I most enjoyed the antique silver services (typical item: 1870s Tiffany 5-piece tea set valued at $125,000). One gallerist was displaying top impressionist and old Master paintings, though the real ones were probably somewhere else -- and can be yours for $5 million or so.

I will be back next year, and this time for two days.

222 Merchandise Mart Plz
7th Fl
(between Lower Orleans St & Orleans St)
Chicago, IL 60654
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River North

(312) 527-4674