2006 SF OPEN STUDIOS
Calendar of Events for the Bay Area's Largest, Longest-running Free Visual Arts Event

Now in its 31st year, SF Open Studios is the Bay Area's largest, longest-running free visual arts event and a model for open studios throughout the country. During the month of October, over 700 local, practicing, and emerging artists open their art studios throughout the city to showcase their work for the public. SF Open Studios provides art enthusiasts and buyers with the opportunity to meet the artists, tour their studios, and view and purchase original works in an approachable and inviting atmosphere.

Central to the event is the SF Open Studios Exhibition featuring original artwork by over 400 SF Open Studios artists on display at the SomArts Cultural Center, offering visitors an opportunity to preview and purchase work as well as pick up the 2006 Guide to Open Studios:

Come meet the artists at the FREE Opening Reception: October 6th from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

During the month of October, there will be a number of special events and programs taking place at the 2006 Open Studios Exhibition in the SomArts Main Gallery, 934 Brannan St (at 8th), San Francisco:

Private Preview Gala
October 5, 6 9:30 p.m.
This is the exclusive opportunity to be the first to see and buy the work of 2006 SF Open Studios participating artists! VIP ticket holders preview begins at 6 p.m. with free parking, live Latin music by Bossa Five-0, an open bar, sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, special party favors, a live auction of unique and artful items for the home and special artist
demonstration by Adele Louise Shaw (Weekend 1 artist). Or come at 7 p.m. and seek art show your support of SF Open Studios enjoy the exhibition and auction with fun food, our house DJ and two free drinks (cash bar available) with your admission. To purchase tickets, call (415) 861-9838 or buy online at www.artspan.org/privatepreview06.php through September 27th.

2006 SF Open Studios Exhibition: Opening Reception October 6, 5:30-8:30 pm
Get your art on! Celebrate 31 years of local art at the opening reception in the SF Open Studios Exhibition. Grab a drink, have a bite and mingle with artists and enthusiasts. Cruise the artwork and enjoy the sweet sounds of our house DJ. Free admission.

Cocktail Soiree
Wednesday, October 11, 7pm 9:30 pm
During this evening event, view the 2006 S.F. Open Studios exhibition, network and learn more about art in San Francisco. DJ and cash bar.
Admission: $10.00 at the door/ Free for ArtSpan Members (membership available at the door).

Connoisseurship and the Casual Collector: Conversation with the Experts
Wednesday, October 18, 7 pm 9:30 pm. View the 2006 SF Open Studio Exhibition and join Michael Schwager, Curator of the di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature, Natasha Boas, writer/critic and author of an article for dwell magazine "Collecting 101" and others in a lively discussion of ideas on how you might approach personal collecting, particularly of emerging artists! $10 in advance/ $15.00 at the door/Free for ArtSpan Members (limited seating, call 415-861-9838 for membership information and to register).

pARTicipate! Party
Saturday, October 21, 7pm - midnight
DJ Dance party and on-site art experiment! Benefit for ArtSpan Art for City Youth Program. Admission: $10.00/ $5.00 for ArtSpan members (Membership available at the door)

And in Conjunction with SF Open Studios:
Hot Glass Cold Beer at Public Glass
Located at 1750 Armstrong Ave, San Francisco
Saturday, October 28th, 6:00 - 11:00 P.m.
A Weekend 4 closing party at San Francisco's premier center for creation and education in glass, Admission includes Hand Blown cup and all the Speakeasy Ale & Lager, wine or soft drinks you can drink! Food, Live Music, Glass Blowing Demos and Fire Dancing!$20 advance tickets at www.publicglass-furnace.mollyguard.com $25 general
admission at the door/ $20 ArtSpan members at the door. Call ArtSpan to become a member in advance, 415-861- 9838.

Artists' studios are open Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October from 11am to 6pm as follows:

Weekend #1 - October 7 & 8
Financial District, North Beach, Potrero Hill, Russian Hill, South of Market, Tenderloin

Weekend #2 - October 14 & 15
Bernal heights, Castro, Duboce, Eureka Valley, Glen Park, Mission, Noe Valley, Portola

Weekend #3 - October 21 & 22
Buena Vista, Diamond Heights, Fort Mason, Haight, Hayes Valley, Marina, Mount Davidson, Pacific Heights, Richmond, Sunset, Twin Peaks, West Portal

Weekend #4 - October 28 & 29
Bayview, Excelsior, Hunters Point Shipyard

ArtSpan, a non-profit organization and organizer of SF Open Studios, has produced the event for the last 16 years, offering the self-guided tour for the education and enjoyment of visitors. The Guide, a comprehensive full color directory of over 600 participating artists, complete with valuable artist information, artwork images, articles, and maps, can be found at SomArts Gallery (934 Brannan Street in SF), Blick Art Stores, Tower Records, Stacey's Bookstore, Cole Hardware and local coffee shops, bookstores and museum shops throughout the Bay Area.

For more information, photos, or to set up interviews, please call Gina Power at (415) 861-9838 or email at gpower@artspan.org.

ABOUT ARTSPAN
ArtSpan is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to building connections within San Francisco's visual arts community and exposing the general public to artists and their work. For 31 years, ArtSpan has helped artists make inroads into the San Francisco community through programs such as Art for City Youth and SF Open Studios held each October. The organization also coordinates an annual series of workshops devoted to artists' professional development.

SF Open Studios 2005 is sponsored by: 7x7 Magazine, ABC7 KGO-TV, Blick Art Materials, Cindy Grand, Richard Grand Foundation, Grants for the Arts/SF Hotel Tax Fund, San Francisco Bay Guardian, The San Francisco Foundation, The San Francisco Arts Commission/Cultural Equity Grants and hundreds members and donors.

Private Preview catering and services provided by: Thomas John Events, TCB Cafe Publishing, Torrani / R. Torre and Company, and Blavod Extreme Spirits featuring Players Extreme Vodka and Blavod Black Vodka.