Put on your walking shoes and get ready to hit the pavement. Four weekends, four sections of the city and hundreds of artists—ArtSpan's Open Studio weekends bring art to the public, gratis. Step aside NYC. With an estimated 60,000 visitors each year and more than 600 workspaces, SF’s Open Studios Tour is the nation’s largest and longest running. The annual tour boasts a little bit of everything, so no matter what your medium, you’ll find plenty of pieces to ponder or purchase. Expect traditional painting, photography, print making, edgy abstractions, installation art, artisan-quality furniture, lighting, jewelry, custom dinnerware, glass work and more. If you’ve never been, we highly recommend giving it a go whether you’re an art rookie or refined dillettante. Meet the artists and see their working environments—be a part of this uniquely personal experience that can’t be replicated in a museum or gallery.
We’ve got our eyes on Sonya Philip (fiber, sculpture, mixed media), Pernilla Persson (photography), Sharon Pearson (drawing, painting, mixed media), Linda Raynsford (sculpture), Colleen Mauer (jewelry), Tachina Rudman (sculpture, mixed media), Jonah Ward (mixed media, glass, installation), Andrwe Zeller (photography), Carlo Abruzzese (painting, mixed media), Bonnie Dominguez (painting) and Andrzej Michael Karwacki (painting). But don’t take our word as the final say—there is such a plethora of innovative work to choose from.
Discover what you like and buy what you love—local artists make more than $1.7 million in sales over the course of the month. And, take note of your favorites, because you never know who might end up the next Matthew Barney.
Studios are open every weekend from October 10 – November 1, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
October 10 - 11: Bernal Heights, Castro, Duboce, Eureka Valley, Glen Park, Mission, Noe Valley, Portola
October 17 - 18: Buena Vista, Diamond Heights, Fort Mason, Haight, Hayes Valley, Marina, Mount Davidson, Pacific Heights, Richmond, Sunset, Ocean Beach, Twin Peaks, West Portal
October 24 - 25: Financial District, North Beach, Potrero Hill, Russian Hill, SOMA, Tenderloin, Bayview, Excelsior
October 31 - November 1: Hunters Point Shipyard
