(Courtesy of Case for Making, Chinatown Pretty, Club Fugazi, SF Guitar Works)
Creative Made-in-the-Bay Gifts for Artists, Musicians + Culture Seekers
18 November 2021
This story is brought to you by Cruise, an all-electric self-driving car service based in San Francisco.
Think the creative type in your life is a tricky giftee? Nah!
We've got gifts that are sure to satisfy every arts and culture lover, from design-your-own guitars to wood carving club and California-inspired watercolors. Inspire them this season.
Style + Smarts
(Courtesy of Chinatown Pretty)
Fashionistas will take a cue from Chinatown's best-dressed seniors featured in the pages of Chinatown Pretty, a collab between San Francisco's own Valerie Luu and Andria Lo. Portraits taken in Chinatowns in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Vancouver are complemented with words of wisdom. Be sure to purchase on Bookshop—100 percent of the proceeds will benefit different Chinatown nonprofits. // $25, bookshop.org
▲California Colors
(Courtesy of Case for Making)
Watercolors in hues inspired by the West Coast will certainly spark the curiosity of Bay Area artists. From the Outer Sunset art shop Case for Making, the California Coastal Palette includes a selection of 12 single-pigment colors, plus blended shades, with names like Poppy and Pacific. // $160 online and at Case for Making, 4037 Judah St. (Outer Sunset), caseformaking.com
▲A Pick-Them-Up
(Courtesy of Kikoko)
Even geniuses get creative block every now and then. Give them a Kikoko Boost with this new formulation of the North Bay brand's Little Helpers. The microdosed mints—composed of 2.5 milligrams each of THCV and THC plus a hint of matcha—take aim at uplifting and energizing without the crash of a cup of coffee or a sugary snack. Also look out for Creativi-tea ($20 for the Gift of Genius four-pack tin), the newest in Kikoko's line of signature, blissful teas, due out on December 1st. // $30 for Kikoko Little Helpers (20/tin), kikoko.com
▲All the Laughs
(Courtesy of @sf_sketchfest)
Give comedy fans something to look forward to in the new year by scoring them (and maybe yourself too) tix to the 20th anniversary of SF Sketchfest. From January 7th through 22nd, venues around the Bay Area will provide endless laughs via an all-star roundup of improv, standup, workshops, and much more. Stay tuned for the lineup to be released on November 19th. // Schedule and tickets, sfsketchfest.com
▲The Art of Reading
(Courtesy of de Young)
In celebration of 125 years of the de Young museum, the new book de Young 125 is filled with images and anecdotes that highlight a selection of 125 works from around the world—from a Richard Diebenkom painting to an Alexander McQueen dress . Paging through it is almost as good as an IRL trip to the de Young—perfect for museum members and out-of-towners alike. // $50 online and at the de Young, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. (Golden Gate Park), famsf.org
▲DIY Guitar
(Courtesy of @sfguitarworks)
Guitarists will have a blast crafting—and then playing—their very own guitar during SF Guitarworks' custom guitar building class. Three months before the workshop, participants will make technical choices and select an electronics package then, during the workshop, owner Geoff Luttrell will guide participants through the entire process which involves assembling the body, ensuring sound quality is great, and wiring electronics. // $2,500 for workshop and all parts; SF Guitar Works, 323 Potrero Ave. (Mission), sfguitarworks.com
▲A Stroke of Inspiration
(Courtesy of SFMOMA)
Gift an SFMOMA membership to spread joy and inspiration all year long. Benefits of joining include complimentary guest tickets, special access to exhibition previews, discounts, and more. // Starting at $120 with purchase available online; SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa) sfmoma.org
Thank you to our partners at SFMOMA.
▲An Acrobatic Trip
(Courtesy of @clubfugazisf)
Who wouldn't enjoy paying tribute to San Francisco's history, acrobatic style, by attending Club Fugazi's Dear San Francisco: A High-Flying Love Story, a contemporary circus that tells the story of SF—from the Gold Rush to the Beat generation—via impressive tricks like hoop balancing and juggling. // Tickets prices vary; Club Fugazi, 678 Green St. (North Beach), clubfugazisf.com
▲Record Store Repping
(Courtesy of @tunnelrecords)
If your recipient has ever ventured to Tunnel Records for a DJ set or to scour the vinyl collection, then style them in a new Tunnel Records T-shirt,featuring a funky graphic by Morgan "Moman" Nixon. // $30 online and at Tunnel Records, 3614 A Taraval St. (Outer Sunset), tunnelrecordssf.com
▲Carving Club
(Courtesy of @melscarvingclub)
Know someone who's thinking about giving woodworking a go? Give them a subscription to Mel's Carving Club. Oakland's own Melanie Abrantes' Each month, a box containing wood butter, a carving blank, and sandpaper will arrive at their door along with instructions and a carve-along video of . If they've never carved before, order them a Starter Tool Set—and cross your fingers that they gift you back a finished bowl and spoon or candle holder. // Subscription released on 12/1, starter kit is $105, melanieabrantes.shop
▲Introducing Cruise for Good
The holiday season is the time for giving, and Cruise gives back to San Francisco year-round. Cruise is an all-electric self-driving car service coming soon to SF. While Cruise's autonomous vehicles have driven millions of miles to learn the city streets, Cruise also dedicates 1 percent of its fleet to important community needs, like delivering thousands of meals with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and SF New Deal. Learn more at getcruise.com/community.
Related Articles