Architecture and design communications professional Yosh Asato and architect David Baker have been fascinated by the potential of storefronts to build creativity, community, and local industry. They host a small space at 337 Shotwell Street in the Mission, known as StoreFrontLab (the storefront itself was designed by Jane Martin of Shift Design Studio). StoreFrontLab encourages local artisans, innovators, and creators to explore the possibilities a store can engender, whether they take place over the course of a day, a week, or a month.
The first of StoreFrontLab's experiments is the Deep Craft Atelier, which took up residence in the space on Monday and will remain for the next three weeks. Artist Scott Constable, whose Deep Craft line of wood items includes Deep Deck longboard skateboards (pictured above) and other handcrafted sporty wares, has recruited a group of his maker friends, from artist and fashion designer Mary Brogger to sculptor Lawrence LaBianca, to create cool pieces that will be sold at three separate pop-up shop events, the first of which takes place tomorrow from 10 am to 4 pm (the others will be held the two following Saturdays, August 4 and 11). On offer will be items like handcrafted wood putters made by Constable, iPhone gramophones created by LaBianca, skirts from Brogger, apparel from Jim Christensen and Gabriel Russo, and other innovative handmade items. Entry is free and open to the public.
To sweeten the deal, Constable and his pals will also offer food during each pop-up event. Tomorrow's guest chef will be "food experience" creators Thought for Food, who will be bringing along their unconventional take on shaved ice from 2 to 4 pm. The two subsequent pop-up events will feature summer fare from Chez Panisse chef Cal Peternell and foraged food from Outstanding in the Field contributor Leif Heidendal, respectively. Deep Craft Atelier is the first of many occupants at StoreFrontLab, who plan to welcome seven more temporary residents through next winter, including a children's play space built from shipping pallets, a "post-car travel agency" that will educate visitors on vehicle-free vacations, and an installation of migrating houses on stilts.
Can't make the party? Constable and his creative friends will also host open studios every weekday through August 12, from 9 am to roughly 5 pm every day. Stop by and see what they're making, or ask questions about their artistic process. You can follow StoreFrontLab on Twitter to stay updated on Deep Craft Atelier's progress and upcoming events at the store, such as an Undiscovered San Francisco bike tour with Daniel Watson-Weller of Streets of San Francisco, which will depart from StoreFrontLab on the morning of Sunday, August 5.
