Public Glass Review

A coworker who has been making fused glass art at Public Glass for several years mentioned the Hot Glass, Cold Beer event, and I was instantly intrigued.

Ever since I met Dale Chihuly and was able to see him and his team work up close and personal, I've had a little bit of a crush on glassblowers in general. For those of you who've never seen glass being blown in person--it's damn sexy. So when S. mentioned that for $25 I could choose my very own unique drinking glass created at the studio, have it filled with beer or wine, snack on goodies, listen to live music, and watch two sexy Scandinavian glass blowers, I was so in.

The guest artists were total rock stars. Picture hot, edgy, Euro artistes, with guns big enough to wield the weighty molten glass, wearing tight T-shirts, and orchestrating a team of assistants along to some solid tunes in a smoking hot warehouse and you'll understand why they weren't the only ones sweating.

1750 Armstrong Avenue
(between Lane St & Mendell St)
San Francisco, CA 94124
Neighborhood: Bayview/Hunters Point

(415) 671-4916

The Red Poppy Art House Review

This venue is exactly the way to incorporate art into real neighborhoods. This is what Peter Sellars was talking about when he said we should bomb all the museums and just have places in between bodegas and t-shirt shops where you can see and make art.

Nice programming, great work. It's small, but give me a break. Why don't you donate some money before complaining about the size, the chairs, and the fact that it's not a Big Block Bastion of Art where you pay two drink minimums and a helluva cover charge just to get in and schmooze. This is where to go when you just want good music, dance, or other without eating pbj and beans-n-rice for the rest of the month.

2698 Folsom St

(between 22nd St & 23rd St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission

(415) 826-2402

Palace Of Fine Arts Review

The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition to exhibit works of art presented there. One of only a few surviving structures from the Exposition, it is the only one still situated on its original site. It was rebuilt in 1965, and renovation of the lagoon, walkways, and a seismic retrofit were completed in early 2009.

It's a popular attraction for me and others and is one of the key landmarks that I look for when I'm in or near San Francisco by land or water. The Palace is also on the top of my bring the tourists list, although I prefer walking here as part of a larger pedestrian tour of the City. And with lunch or dinner in the Marina. I love walking around and especially if there's a wedding party on the grounds. I also enjoy watching the swans and ducks, meandering around the columns, gazing up at the dome, relaxing in the park, and counting my blessings for being able to live in the Bay Area.

3301 Lyon St
(at Bay St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

(415) 563-6504

Studio Gallery Review

I never visit Studio without finding several pieces of art I'd love to own. The prices are reasonable, and the owner is so into the artists. She thoughtfully selects the art and the themes of the exhibits, and loves to share what she knows about each piece and each artist without being pushy in the least.....so each visit is a pleasant experience. Finally I bought a couple of small oil paintings right before Christmas to give as gifts. The recipients loved them-they were San Francisco cityscapes. Perfect for people you've known forever who seem to have everything. Studio is a great local business which I feel you, yelper x, should support also.

1815 Polk St
(between Washington St & Jackson St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
(415) 931-3130

Creativity Explored Review

All of the recently purchased artwork in my apartment is from Creativity Explored. Why? Because the price is right, and the artwork is really amazing. This gallery is a non-profit that works with artists who have disabilities to create paintings, sculptures, film, you name it. The best time to visit is during one of their openings. Walk through the front gallery into a large warehouse covered in artwork. Piles of artwork. Artwork on the walls. Artwork on the tables. Everything is colorful and gorgeous, and the parties are a hell of a lot more fun than most I've been to in this city. But the collection is really some of the most original art I've seen. Try this place out, you'll be hooked.

3245 16th St
(between Spencer St & Dolores St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: Mission

(415) 863-2108