(featured image) Val Britton, In the Half Light, 2020. Acrylic, Ink, and Collage on Paper, 72 x 84 in. *Courtesy of Berggruen Gallery
This week, San Francisco is buzzing with creative electricity—and you’re officially invited to plug in. Whether you’re looking to be wowed by large-scale international performance art at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, moved by the intimate storytelling of Emilio Villalba’s new works at Dolby Chadwick Gallery, or inspired by emerging voices at CCA’s MFA Thesis Exhibition, there’s a moment of connection waiting for you somewhere in the city.
From drag story hours in Chinatown to a First Thursday full of neighborhood magic (hi Low Key Skate Shop, 5 Olive Gallery, Rosebud, and more!), this lineup is stacked with chances to see, feel, and celebrate the richness of our creative community. Scroll down for all the events, times, and insider details. We’ve mapped it all out so you can follow the art—and maybe discover something that speaks directly to you.
Wednesday, Apr. 30th
*Poster courtesy of San Francisco International Arts Festival
San Francisco International Arts Festival
Wed, Apr. 30th 10AM ~
The San Francisco International Arts Festival returns to the Mission District with a vibrant showcase of global talent in dance, cirque, music, theater, spoken word, performance art, and walking tours. Don’t miss this dynamic celebration of international arts and culture. (Apr. 30th – May 11th)
Artwork: Matt Boris. *Courtesy of ArtSeed x China Brotsky Gallery in The Presidio
ArtSeed x China Brotsky Gallery in The Presidio
Wed, Apr. 30th 5-7PM
The China Brotsky Gallery presents “Matt Boris: Hawaii 1967,” the artist’s first solo exhibition featuring paintings inspired by a found photo album documenting a 1967 Hawaiian vacation. Join the opening reception to celebrate this nostalgic exploration of memory and place.
*Poster courtesy of Hospitality House
Hospitality House
Wed, Apr. 30th 5:30-9PM
Hospitality House’s 40th Annual Art Auction, THHE Auction 2025, culminates in a live auction at Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation. This celebratory evening will feature live bidding on artworks by local and national artists, raising essential funds for Hospitality House’s six community programs—including their free Community Arts Program, which provides studio and gallery space to artists in need. *Tickets $150-$1000
*Banner courtesy of Telematic Media Arts
Telematic Media Arts
Wed, Apr. 30th 6-8PM
Telematic Media Arts presents “Art and Politics: A Panel Discussion” featuring artists Nicólas González-Medina and Kal Spelletich. González-Medina’s politically charged street art amplifies the voices of marginalized communities, while Spelletich explores the poetic and transformative potential of interactive technology in art.
*Poster courtesy of The Academy SF
The Academy SF
Wed, Apr. 30th 6-9PM
Join The Academy SF for an art opening featuring works by TC Moore and Dylan Clendenin, curated by Bill Samios. This free reception is open to the public.
Thursday, May 1st
Artworks: (from left to right) Isca Greenfield-Sanders, Red Wildflowers, 2025. Mixed Media Oil on Canvas, 51 x 51 in; Val Britton, Golden Hour, 2025. Acrylic, Ink, Collage, Monoprint, Colored pencil, and Cut Out Paper, 66 x 79 1/4 in; Vanessa Marsh, Palm Springs 17, 2021. Wet Plate Collodion Photogram, 12 x 10 in; Joni Sternbach, 24.09.27 #3 Chuck Dent, 2024. Tintype Diptych, 17 x 14 in. *Courtesy of Berggruen Gallery
Berggruen Gallery
Thu, May 1st 4:30-7PM
Berggruen Gallery presents three spring exhibitions: “Cut From A Dream” by Isca Greenfield-Sanders, “Ghost Coast” by Val Britton, and “Western Wave” featuring Vanessa Marsh and Joni Sternbach. Together, these shows explore memory, landscape, and materiality through painting, mixed media, and alternative photography. (May 1st – Jun. 19th)
Artwork: Nadia Yaron, Peach Quince Flower, 2025. 64 x 18 x 13 in. *Courtesy of Maybaum Gallery
Maybaum Gallery
Thu, May 1st 5-7PM
Maybaum Gallery presents “Still Flowering,” Nadia Yaron’s premier solo exhibition in San Francisco, featuring sculptures, textiles, and paintings that reflect on nature, memory, and the passage of time. Her deeply personal works capture the spirit and transience of the natural world through organic materials. (May 1st – 31st) *RSVP required
*Banner courtesy of California College of the Arts (CCA)
California College of the Arts (CCA)
Thu, May 1st 5:30-7:30PM
The California College of the Arts presents its 2025 Graduate Fine Arts MFA Thesis Exhibition, showcasing work by second-year MFA students across a range of contemporary practices. Held at the Novack Gallery and Wattis Institute, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the visions of 20 emerging artists. (Apr. 30th – May 17th)
Artwork: Emilio Villalba, Self Portrait with Michelle, 2024. Oil on Canvas, 36 x 36 in. *Courtesy of Dolby Chadwick Gallery
Dolby Chadwick Gallery
Thu, May 1st 5:30-7:30PM
Dolby Chadwick Gallery presents “Paintings from Home” by Emilio Villalba, a deeply personal exhibition that captures intimate moments, everyday objects, and San Francisco life through thick, expressive layers of oil paint. Blending influences from the Bay Area Figurative Movement and Expressionism, Villalba transforms the ordinary into vivid, emotionally charged scenes that blur the line between painting and sculpture. (May 1st – Jun. 28th)
Photograph: Matt Black, Bunkerville, Nevada, 2024. Pigment Ink Print, 25 x 20 in. *Courtesy of Robert Koch Gallery
Robert Koch Gallery
Thu, May 1st 5:30-7:30PM
Robert Koch Gallery presents “New World Atlas: California & Nevada” by acclaimed photographer Matt Black, featuring thermal and infrared images that reveal the dramatic environmental changes shaping the American West. This powerful exhibition explores themes of drought, fire, and transformation through innovative visual technologies, offering a hauntingly urgent view of ecological instability. (May 1st – Jun. 27th)
Artwork: Alex Olson, Untitled, 2023. Gouache on Paper, 10 x 7 in. *Courtesy of Altman Siegel
Altman Siegel
Thu, May 1st 6-8PM
Altman Siegel presents “Letters,” a new exhibition of paintings and works on paper by Alex Olson, featuring buoyant gouaches and a trio of nesting paintings exploring themes of transformation, motherhood, and communication. This show marks the final exhibition at the gallery’s Presidio Heights location in San Francisco.
Artwork: Barbara Takenaga, Cirrus, 2023. Acrylic on Linen, 24 x 30 in. *Courtesy of Paul Thiebaud Gallery
Paul Thiebaud Gallery
Thu, May 1st 6-8PM
Paul Thiebaud Gallery presents “Where Things Begin,” a group exhibition celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with works by 10 American artists of the Asian Diaspora. Through abstraction and representation, the show explores how each artist navigates Eastern and Western aesthetics in their unique practice. (May 1st – Jun. 7th)
Artworks: (left) Celeste. (right) Marie Herwald Hermann, and, between opaque shadows, 2025. Porcelain, Stoneware and Glass, 17 x 19 x 7 in. *Courtesy of Rebecca Camacho Presents
Rebecca Camacho Presents
Thu, May 1st 6-10PM
Rebecca Camacho Presents debuts two new exhibitions: “Celeste | Hacer brotar / To sprout,” exploring growth and transformation, and “Lines and Parallels” by Marie Herwald Hermann, featuring delicate, contemplative ceramic works. (May 1st – Jun. 14th)
Photo: Vaughn Davis Jr. *Courtesy of Romer Young Gallery
Romer Young Gallery
Thu, May 1st 6-8PM
Romer Young Gallery presents “Black Orchids,” the third solo exhibition by St. Louis artist Vaughn Davis Jr., featuring six large-scale abstract works exploring themes of transformation. (May 1st – Jun. 7th)
Artwork: Sandra Yagi, Dart Frog Convergence, 2025. Oil on Panel, 24 x 30 in. *Courtesy of Modern Eden Gallery
Modern Eden Gallery
Thu, May 1st 6-9PM
Modern Eden Gallery presents the closing reception of “The Faerie Realm,” featuring ten imaginative oil paintings by Sandra Yagi that blend fantasy, decay, and delicate beauty. Don’t miss this final chance to experience her surreal world of skeletal figures and enchanted nature. (May 1st – Jun. 7th)
*Poster courtesy of Low Key Skate Shop
Low Key Skate Shop
Thu, May 1st 6-10PM
Low Key Skate Shop presents “The Tenderloin Times,” a group exhibition capturing the stories, characters, and overlooked history of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Featuring over 30 artists, the show opens during the Tenderloin First Thursday Art Walk and invites viewers to experience the vibrant soul of a community often misunderstood. (May 1st – Sept. 1st)
*Flyer courtesy of Peculiar Parts
Peculiar Parts
Thu, May 1st 6-10PM
Parts Peculiar presents “In Remembrance,” a multimedia textile exhibition where four artists use recycled materials and found objects to explore memory in intimate, familial, and domestic spaces. Part of the SF First Thursday Art Walk, the works reflect how memory serves as a vital thread of community and connection.
*Poster courtesy of Rosebud Gallery
Rosebud Gallery
Thu, May 1st 6-10PM
Rosebud Gallery presents “Group Therapy,” a powerful group exhibition exploring mental health, addiction, grief, and healing through the expressive work of 25 artists. Featuring bold visual storytelling and tarot readings, the show invites viewers into a shared space of catharsis, conversation, and community.
Friday, May 2nd
Artwork: Martha Sturdy, Brass Landscape. Brass, 32 x 71 x 10 in. *Courtesy of Caldwell Snyder Gallery
Caldwell Snyder Gallery
Fri, May 2nd 10AM-5PM
Caldwell Snyder Gallery presents an exhibition of Martha Sturdy’s recent works, featuring dynamic brass sculptures that cascade, loop, and crumple with elegant precision. Her bold use of negative space balances simplicity and complexity in woven, intricately crafted forms. (May 2nd – Jun. 7th)
Artwork: Pouké Halpern, Break of Day with Orange, 2022. Mixed Media on Panel, 48 x 48 in. *Courtesy of HANG ART
HANG ART
Fri, May 2nd 5-7PM
HANG ART presents “Vagabonde,” a solo exhibition by Pouké Halpern that explores movement, memory, and place through layered, abstract works—on view with special public evening hours during First Friday. (Apr. 30th – Jun. 14th)
*Photo courtesy of Castro Art Walk
Castro Art Walk
Fri, May 2nd 5-8PM
Explore 20+ art events during the Castro Art Walk, with guided and self-guided tour options. Galleries and local shops stay open late to showcase new works—RSVP for the digital map and join the 5PM guided tour at Chartreuse by Roje.
*Photo courtesy of Harvey Milk Photo Center
Harvey Milk Photo Center
Fri, May 2nd 5-8PM
“Echoes of Resilience: Reclaiming History” at the Harvey Milk Photo Center showcases the compelling photography of Harvey Castro and Izzi Valencia, portraying the resilience of communities confronting climate disasters, preserving culture, and upholding the dignity of labor. Through striking imagery, the exhibition illuminates their powerful narratives of endurance and strength. (May 2nd – Jun. 7th)
*Poster courtesy of the Artist
MAG Galleries
Fri, May 2nd 5-9PM
MAG Galleries presents “Growth,” a solo exhibition by Ramiro Cairo featuring sculptures, drawings, and paintings that explore the organic patterns of tree rings and the balance between nature and culture. Opening during the Castro Art Walk, the show reflects on time, memory, and transformation through finely crafted works in wood, paper, and ink. (May 2nd – Jun. 1st)
Artwork: Robert Minervini, Vanishing Point, 2021. Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 36 in. *Courtesy of Root Division
Root Division x Four One Nine
Fri, May 2nd 7-10PM
Root Division presents “Flourish: A Spring Soirée” at Four One Nine—a vibrant celebration of its legacy and artist community, featuring past “Introductions” participants and current Studio Artists, curated by PJ Gubatina Policarpio. Enjoy an evening of curated art, music, bites, and cocktails while celebrating honorees JD Beltran, Nimah Gobir, Alexander Hernandez, and Kija Lucas. *Tickets $250-$400
Saturday, May 3rd
*Poster courtesy of The Box SF Artists and Makers Fair
The Box SF Artists and Makers Fair
Sat, May 3rd 11AM-5PM & Sun, May 4th 1AM-4PM
Join The Box SF Artists and Makers Fair for a free, two-day art sale featuring local creatives inside a historic 1920s printing plant. Explore two floors of creative vendors, vintage treasures, and community in the heart of San Francisco. (May 3rd – 4th)
*Banner courtesy of Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCCSF)
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCCSF)
Sat, May 3rd 11AM-6PM
Celebrate the CCC Design Store: Grand Reopening at 41 Ross Alley featuring a Drag Story Hour by Panda Dulce, a live lion dance performance, and an artist meet-and-greet. Enjoy complimentary boba, custom fortune cookies, exclusive discounts, and a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and local artists.
Artworks: (left) Raul D’Mauries, Bee Bird 2. Acrylic on Board, 17 x 20 in. (right) Valerie Harris, The Bodhisattvas Have Flowers For Us All. Collage and Acrylic, 9 x 11 in. *Courtesy of Arc Studios & Gallery
Arc Studios & Gallery
Sat, May 3rd 12-3PM
Arc Studios & Gallery celebrates the closing reception of “The Birds & The Bees” and “Scraps of Time: A Collage-A-Rama Exhibition.” These exhibitions explore themes of renewal, growth, and the transformative power of collage, offering a final opportunity to experience the creativity of local artists.
*Banner courtesy of Spring Art Bazaar
Spring Art Bazaar at 1540 Market St.
Sat, May 3rd 12-5PM
Celebrate creativity at the Spring Art Bazaar—an all-ages pop-up event featuring original art, local artists, music, interactive activities, and a touch of cosmic charm in honor of May the 4th weekend. Enjoy a fun-filled day with raffles, coloring, and unique finds that are truly out of this world.
Artworks: (left to right) Jo Ann Biagini, Blue 2, 2018. Acrylic Paint on Cyanotype, 11 x 11 in. Louise Jarmilowicz, The Knife Ran Away with the Spoon. Digital Collage with Vintage Magazine Images, 10 x 10 in. Nathalie Roland, Dokkaebi Within: Thwarting the Bad, Helping the Good & General Mischief. Woodcut Reduction Print, 16 x 12 in. *Courtesy of Far Out Gallery
Far Out Gallery
Sat, May 3rd 1-4PM
Far Out Gallery debuts “Paper Trails,” a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the layered and tactile works of Jo Ann Biagini, Louise Jarmilowicz, and Nathalie Roland. Join the opening reception and dive deeper into the artists’ creative processes during a special talk at 2PM. (May 2nd – Jun. 8th)
*Banner courtesy of HW Creative Gallery
HW Creative Gallery
Sat, May 3rd 1-4PM
Join HW Creative for Art, Wine, & Conversation—an afternoon of wine tasting, a group exhibition by ArtSpan artists, and a lively panel discussion hosted by Shamsher Virk. *21+ only; Tickets $20
Image: Tivoli Opera House Model. *Courtesy of Museum of Performance + Design (MP+D)
Museum of Performance + Design (MP+D)
Sat, May 3rd 1-5PM
Museum of Performance + Design hosts an Open House showcasing “The Music of Bert Williams” exhibition and offering visitors a chance to learn more about MP+D. Free and open to the public, no RSVP required. (May 3rd – Jul. 3rd)
Image: Naomi Rincón Gallardo, Filiación abono (Dung Kinship), (video still), 2024. *Courtesy of KADIST San Francisco
KADIST San Francisco
Sat, May 3rd 4-7PM
KADIST San Francisco presents “Convulsiones Planetarias / Planetary Convulsions,” Naomi Rincón Gallardo’s first U.S. solo exhibition, featuring video, sculpture, and watercolor works that blend sci-fi, Mesoamerican mythology, and cuir aesthetics to explore survival and collective resilience. A conversation with Camila Marambio at 5PM will accompany the opening, delving into the exhibition’s themes of transformation, sentience, and speculative futures. (May 3rd – Aug. 2nd)
Artwork: Martin Machado. *Poster courtesy of Eleanor Harwood Gallery
Eleanor Harwood Gallery
Sat, May 3rd 5-7PM
Eleanor Harwood Gallery presents “Fine Dine the Demons,” Martin Machado’s second solo show featuring moody, maritime-inspired paintings exploring time, memory, and labor through the ship’s wake. The opening will also feature a DJ set and a group exhibition curated by the artist in the gallery’s backroom project space. (May 3rd – Jun. 21st
*Artwork image courtesy of Gallery 107
Gallery 107 at Minnesota Street Project
Sat, May 3rd 5-7PM
Gallery 107 presents “Architecture of Light and Color,” a two-person exhibition by Patricia Buse and Stephen Singer, exploring the interplay of light, color, and perception. Buse’s translucent acrylic sculptures and Singer’s framed paintings create a dialogue between materiality, illusion, and vision, emphasizing sensory experience and curiosity. (May 3rd – Jun. 21st)
Artwork: Genevieve Cohn, Sentinel of Small Things. *Courtesy of Hashimoto Contemporary SF
Hashimoto Contemporary SF
Sat, May 3rd 5-7PM
Hashimoto Contemporary presents “In Defense of Tenderness,” a solo exhibition by Boston-based artist Genevieve Cohn. This marks Cohn’s second solo show with the gallery, exploring themes of care, connection, and collective strength. (May 3rd – 31st)
Artwork: Afton Love. *Courtesy of Municipal Bonds
Municipal Bonds
Sat, May 3rd 5-7PM
Municipal Bonds presents “100 Bowls, Boundless,” a solo exhibition by Afton Love featuring a sculptural installation of one hundred bronze bowls alongside new works in diverse materials. The show explores repetition, restraint, and expansion through form and material. (May 3rd – Jun. 28th)
Artworks: (left) Wendi Yan, Scenes from “The Inner Carbon Classic,” 2024. Animation Sequence, 5 min. *Courtesy of the Artist (right) Nancy Nguyen, One Vehicle (detail), 2025. Oil on Silk, 3 x 44 in. *Courtesy of / (Slash) Gallery
/ (Slash) Gallery
Sat, May 3rd 5-8PM
/ (Slash) Gallery presents “Lagrange Point,” a group exhibition curated by Ninth Planet that reimagines unidentified aerial phenomena through Indigenous cosmologies, embodied experience, and queer futurisms alongside “As Long as the Earth Endures,” a painting exhibition by Nancy Nguyen exploring Buddhist philosophy and transformation. (May 3rd – Aug. 23rd)
Artwork: Larry Sultan, Vivid Entertainment #2, 2003. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 in. *Courtesy of Casemore Gallery
Casemore Gallery
Sat, May 3rd 5-8PM
Casemore Gallery presents “You, the Performer,” a group exhibition exploring the theatrical nature of image-making through works by nine contemporary artists. Blurring the lines between reality and illusion, the show delves into performance, staging, and the interplay between viewer and subject.
Artwork: Kateryna Reznichenko. *Poster courtesy of Ryan Graff Contemporary
Ryan Graff Contemporary
Sat, May 3rd 5-9PM
Ryan Graff Contemporary presents “Morphosis,” a solo exhibition by Ukrainian artist Kateryna Reznichenko exploring transformation through portraiture that blends realism with abstract textures and intuitive process. Her work captures the tension between control and spontaneity, inviting viewers into moments of becoming. (May 3rd – 31st)
*Flyer courtesy of Family Style Collective
Family Style Collective
Sat, May 3rd 6-9PM
“Not Too Sweet” is a multimedia group exhibition featuring 12+ AAPI artists at Koho Co-Creative Hub in Japantown. Presented by Family Style Collective, the show challenges cultural stereotypes through playful, experimental works and a series of community events. (May 1st – 31st)
Artwork: Amanda Marchand & Leah Sobsey, from series This Earthen Door. *Courtesy of PhotoAlliance
PhotoAlliance
Sun, May 4th 5PM
Join the PhotoAlliance 2025 Lecture Series at Fort Mason’s Bayfront Theatre for an inspiring evening with Amanda Marchand, Leah Sobsey, and Ala Ebtekar as they share experimental approaches to photography across nature, myth, and the cosmos. This engaging program explores how each artist expands the boundaries of visual storytelling through innovative, interdisciplinary practices.