San Francisco’s Top 10 : Art Galleries

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  1. Fraenkel Gallery

    One
    of the gallery’s first exhibitions was of NASA’s lunar photographs, and
    this set a tone for what followed. Soon came exhibitions by Eugene
    Atget, Edward Weston and Diane Arbus, and later, the Bechers, Adam Fuss,
    and Sol LeWitt. Projects have brought together work across all media,
    juxtaposing photography with painting, drawing, and sculpture. Other
    photographers whose work is regularly shown include Richard Avedon and
    Man Ray.

  2. Museum of Craft and Folk Art

    The
    emphasis here is on the varieties of non-mainstream ways that people
    find to be creative – to see things afresh and make something new out of
    them. This may include traditional folk art from all over the world.

    • 51 Yerba Buena Lane at Mission between 3rd & 4th

    • 415 775 0991

    • Open 11am–6pm Tue–Fri; 11am–5pm Sat & Sun

    • Adm


    • www.mocfa.org

  3. Frey Norris Gallery

    This
    dynamic and extremely stylish contemporary art venue hosts exhibitions
    of celebrated American and international works, including those by
    prominent artists from China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Bay Area
    artists are also popular. The staff provide help and advice to amateur
    and serious collectors alike about the contemporary art market.

    • 456 Geary Street

    • 415 346 7812

    • Open 11am–7pm Tue–Sat; 11am–7pm Sun

    • Free

  4. Pacific Heritage Museum

    Occupying
    the old San Francisco Mint (1875–7), on top of which the Bank of Canton
    has been built. The bank sponsors the museum, which focuses on the art
    of the Pacific Rim, aiming to bring the work of Asian artists to a wider
    audience. Exhibitions feature many pieces on loan from private
    collections.

  5. Museo ItaloAmericano

    Not
    only a museum and gallery, but also a community center for San
    Francisco’s Italians. Temporary exhibitions might focus on the work of
    an Italian artist, or on some aspect of Italian culture. Classes are
    also offered on Italian art and architecture, and cookery.

    • Fort Mason Center, Bldg C

    • 415 673 2200

    • Open noon–4pm daily (Mon by appointment only)

  6. Galería de la Raza

    Bi-monthly
    exhibitions of Mexican-American art might include painters,
    cartoonists, performance artists, muralists, or digital installations.
    Programs also include films, panel discussions, and performances by
    stars of the Latino art and music scene.

  7. Intersection for the Arts

    Radical
    and diverse art emerges out of this hotbed of creativity. The
    alternative multi-genre art installation combines live drama
    performances, video and film screenings, and panel discussions, which
    largely explore the influence of race and relationships on people’s work
    and lives.

    • 446 Valencia St between 15th & 16th sts

    • 415 626 2787

    • Open noon–5pm Wed–Sat

    • Free

  8. San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery

    Opened
    in 1970 this was one of the first galleries dedicated to showing the
    work of emerging Bay Area artists. In addition, the Gallery Slide
    Registry contains images by more than 500 professional artists from
    across the US.




    San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery

  9. SoMarts Cultural Center

    Group
    and solo shows, music, and readings are a few of the creative goings-on
    you can encounter here. Founded in 1975, SoMarts is a city-owned
    cultural center with two exhibition spaces, a 250-seat theater, and
    printmaking, pottery, and design studios.

    • 934 Brannan St bet 8th & 9th sts

    • 415 863 1414

    • Open 2–7pm Tue–Fri

    • Free

  10. Cartoon Art Museum

    With
    an endowment from Peanuts creator, the late Charles M. Schulz, the
    museum is the only one in the US dedicated to cartoon art in all its
    forms and has approximately 6,000 pieces.