Sunset Artists to Open Studios

By Jonathan Farrell

As October brings some of the best weather to San Francisco, it is also the best time for artists to display their wares at the annual Open Studios event. This year, artists in the Sunset and Richmond districts invite the public into their studios to view their work on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.

This is the 33rd year Open Studios has invited people to view artist's work up close in their own working-studio environment. A very unconventional grass-roots approach when it was founded by a group of city artists in the '70s, the event was created because the founding artists were frustrated with the art gallery routine.

What had simply been an attempt by artists to get their art to the people has now become a long-standing tradition.

"Open Studios has continued to be the longest running and most extensive art event in the nation," said Wendy Norris, an art consultant speaking on behalf of the event.

Familiar with the arts in San Francisco, especially with her work at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, Norris said San Francisco's Open Studios has "served as a model for cities around the world, such as New York, Boston, Tokyo, etc ... all seeking to create similar annual events."

According to Norris, last year "Open Studios resulted in nearly 60,000 visitors citywide and nearly $1.7 million in art works sold. Each year the event grows."

The non-profit organization ArtSpan coordinates and organizes the five-consecutive-weekend event.

Lindsay Barrick, who serves as operations manager for the organization, described ArtSpan's mission as "one that is to build a community by connecting the public to visual arts in San Francisco."

"Through SF Open Studios, youth and adult education and art-centric events, ArtSpan is able to create a platform for artists to thrive," she added.

This year, more than 800 artists will participate.

Norris believes one reason why Open Studios has endured for these many years is because of its grass-roots "homespun feeling."

She cites a report issued this past June by the National Endowment for the Arts which determined San Francisco has the most artists per capita for a metropolitan area.

"For the artists, it's a chance to develop their people and selling skills and, even more importantly, to make a living," she said.

Sunset District artist Emily Clawson is pleased to be participating again. She hopes that by sharing her work space visitors will in turn share their thoughts and ideas.

"The studio is a solitary work space by necessity so I enjoy the social quality of open studios," Clawson said.

"Open studios is all about making connections and finding inspiration," she said. "Most visitors to my studio last year were people I had never met."

Open Studios begins its five-consecutive weekends run with a gala and opening exhibition reception on Oct. 4.

For more information and a list of participating artists, visit the Web site at www.artspan.org or call (415) 861-9838.

Sunset Artists

Bates Poland Bates: painting, mixed media - 2526 26th Ave.

Ann V. Capitan: sculpture, mixed media - 3045 23rd Ave.

Emily Clawson: painting -12 Meadowbrook Dr. (Sunday only)

Steve Dehlinger: painting, photography - 1942 43rd Ave.

Kate Dopheide: mixed media, jewelry - 1942 43rd Ave.

Kayla Garelick: photography, ceramics, jewelry - 2169 20th Ave.

Judi Gorski: painting, drawing, mixed media - 2366 48th Ave.

Susan Grote: painting, abstract, mixed media - 1938 43rd Ave.

Carlo Grunfeld: painting, printmaking, drawing - 1385 45th Ave.

Sun Hee Kim: painting, abstract - 615 John Muir Dr., D712

Murai: mixed media, photography -1201 12th Ave., #2

Takeshi Nakayoshi: painting, drawing -1933 17th Ave.

Mirena Rhee: photography, drawing, painting - 1433 23rd Ave.

Sherry Schaffer: painting, drawing - 1710 Judah St.

Barbara Sebastian: ceramics, sculpture, painting - 1875 32nd Ave.

Rosiland Solomon: painting, drawing, sculpture - 1730 48th Ave.