(featured image) Ilse Cadena, Capricorn, 2020. Acrylic on Canvas, 1.9 x 1.2 in. *Courtesy of the Artist
Here’s your art guide for what’s happening in San Francisco, CA the week of July 23rd – 27th, 2025. *Stay tuned—this list is constantly updated!
Wednesday, Jul. 23rd
*Poster courtesy of Saint Joseph’s Arts Society
Saint Joseph’s Arts Society
Wed, Jul. 23rd 6PM
Saint Joseph’s Arts Society presents “Cocteau to Haring,” an ArtTalk by multimedia visual artist and Lost Art Salon co-founder Rob Delamater, exploring influential 20th-century queer artists who shaped queer identity and culture. The lecture also highlights a newly discovered WWII-era collection depicting male camaraderie, offering insights into the intersection of art, history, and identity.
*Banner courtesy of Queer Arts Featured
Queer Arts Featured
Wed, Jul. 23rd 6:30-8:30PM
Celebrate the release of “M33: Galaxy of Hybrids Issue #2” at Queer Arts Featured with comics, exclusive merch, and book signings by artist and author Natalie McKean. This free event welcomes fans and newcomers to explore a queer sci-fi saga filled with hybrid species, LGBTQ+ themes, and galactic drama.
*Banner courtesy of Art Battle San Francisco
Art Battle San Francisco at Public Works
Wed, Jul. 23rd 7-10PM
Experience the thrill of live art at Art Battle San Francisco, where artists compete in high-speed painting rounds and the audience votes for the winner. Held at Public Works, this 21+ event features live auctions of each artwork created for a one-of-a-kind night of creativity and competition. *Tickets $20-$25
Thursday, Jul. 24th
*Poster courtesy of GCS Agency
GCS Agency x Play Studio x Grøss Magazine
Thu, Jul. 24th 12-2PM & 4-7PM
GCS Agency, in collaboration with Play Studio and Grøss Magazine, presents “SOOPERBLOOM,” a vibrant fusion of flowers, art, and design celebrating local florists and street vendors in San Francisco. The installation features floral activations and framed poster drops across the 100 California (12-2PM) and 201 Jackson (4-7PM) locations, highlighting resilience and culture throughout the city.
Artwork: Nancy Mona Russell, Channel, 2024. Acrylic on Canvas, 48 x 72 in. *Courtesy of Faro Contemporary
Faro Contemporary
Thu, Jul. 24th 3:30-7:30PM
Faro Contemporary celebrates the closing reception of Nancy Mona Russell’s solo show “Intermezzo Flow,” featuring new works alongside recent pieces. This event celebrates Russell’s return to colorful abstract impressionism after two decades, coinciding with the lively Mission Community Farmers Market outside.
Artwork: (left) David Huffman, Andromeda’s Song, 2025. Acrylic, Oil, Gouache, Fabric, Color Pencil, Glitter and Spray Paint on Canvas, 77 x 77 x 2 in. (right) Julia Chiang, So Salty, 2025. Acrylic on linen, 20 x 16 in. *Courtesy of Jessica Silverman Gallery
Jessica Silverman Gallery
Thu, Jul. 24th 5-7PM
Jessica Silverman presents two compelling exhibitions: “A Brilliant Blackout” by David Huffman, featuring Afrofuturist paintings from his Traumanaut series that reflect on self-discovery, healing, and civil rights narratives; and “Run Like the Rain” by Julia Chiang, showcasing ceramics and paintings that explore emotional landscapes through natural metaphors. (Jul. 24th – Aug. 30th)
*Photo courtesy of Brian Molyneaux / Manny’s
Manny’s
Thu, Jul. 24th 5-8PM
For their July Art Show, Manny’s presents “Brian Molyneaux’s Lens on Life,” a compelling photography exhibition by the Oakland-based artist whose work spans Chicago, SF, NYC, Ireland, and beyond. Through vivid portraits and street scenes, Molyneaux captures everyday moments filled with connection, character, and heart.
Photo: Asawa with her San Francisco Fountain at Union Square, 1973. Photo © Laurence Cuneo. Artwork © 2025 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., *Courtesy David Zwirner / Ruth’s Table
Ruth’s Table
Thu, Jul. 24th 5:30-7:30PM
Ruth’s Table presents a special slide presentation with Aiko Cuneo on the history and creation of Ruth Asawa’s iconic San Francisco Fountain, originally crafted in baker’s clay with her community. Held in celebration of Ruth Asawa: Retrospective at SFMOMA, the event honors Asawa’s collaborative spirit and artistic legacy.
Artwork: Erik Koelle, PULCHRITUDINOUS #3. 80 x 108 in. *Courtesy of Wessling Contemporary
Wessling Contemporary
Thu, Jul. 24th 5:30-8PM
Wessling Contemporary presents “Formidable: Commanding Figurative Work,” a compelling group exhibition featuring 2D and 3D works by California artists Denise Carletta, Lana Fly, Erik Koelle, and Charles Stinson. Highlighting the enduring connection between the human form and emotional expression, the show celebrates innovation in contemporary figurative art. (Jul. 24th – Aug. 30th)
*Poster courtesy of PALLAS Gallery
PALLAS Gallery
Thu, Jul. 24th 6-9PM
PALLAS Gallery presents “Looped In,” a fiber art exhibition curated by Hana Lily Haber showcasing the works of thirteen artists. The show weaves together diverse fiber art pieces into a cohesive experience.
Friday, Jul. 25th
Artwork: Gary Larson, Cow Tools. *Courtesy of Et al.
Et al.
Fri, Jul. 25th 11AM-8PM
Et al. presents “Surprise!,” a group exhibition curated by Aaron Harbour, in which artists submitted wrapped, unseen works without knowing who else was participating. The show will be unwrapped and installed live from 11AM-5PM, followed by an opening reception from 5-8PM—both offering a rare chance to witness the exhibition come together in real time. (Jul. 25th – Sept. 6th)
*Banner courtesy of Letterform Archive
Letterform Archive
Fri, Jul. 25th 1:30-3PM
Celebrate 10 years of Letterform Archive with a special curator-led tour of “10 × 10 for 10” exhibition, featuring 100 staff-selected design treasures spanning centuries of graphic art. Explore rare artifacts—from cuneiform tablets to modernist typography—all on view together for the first time. *Tickets $10 (Student/Educator/Senior) – $20 (General Admission)
*Banner courtesy of Bay Area Book Festival
Bay Area Book Festival at 447 Minna St. (Black Box Theatre)
TFri, Jul. 25th 6-7PM
The Bay Area Book Festival presents “Erasure: Archives + Disappearance,” a powerful conversation with Quraysh Ali Lansana (Killing the Negative) and Daniela Naomi Molnar (Protocols: An Erasure), moderated by Linda Norton (Public Gardens), exploring socio-political erasure and creative strategies of resistance. The event includes an audience Q&A and book signing (*Tickets $10). Also, tune in on Saturday, Jul. 26th from 10-11AM for the virtual talk “Narrating the Mother,” presented in partnership with Litquake, where Iman Mersal and Kate Briggs reflect on the complexities of motherhood and care through literature and philosophy, moderated by Nayomi Munaweera.
*Poster courtesy of Loom + Ten Gallery
Loom + Ten Gallery
Fri, Jul. 25th 6-9PM
Loom + Ten Gallery presents “Every(body) Is Enough,” a solo exhibition by Jun Yang exploring embodiment, belonging, and radical self-acceptance through painting, soft sculpture, and ceramics. Centering queer and immigrant experiences, Yang’s work offers care and intimacy as acts of resistance, reclaiming joy and identity through vulnerability and connection. (Jul. 25th – Sept. 6th)
Saturday, Jul. 26th
Artwork: Shrey Purohit, Sunset Looking West from SF CameraWork, Fort Mason. Acrylic on Canvas, 14 x 14 in. *Courtesy of Wall Box Gallery
Wall Box Gallery
Sat, Jul. 26th 11AM-1PM
Wall Box Gallery presents “Bay Life: Last Look with Shrey Purohit,” a final artist-led walkthrough of his solo exhibition capturing sunlit Bay Area moments through vivid color and playful observation. Enjoy mimosas while hearing personal stories behind the work before the show closes.
*Poster courtesy of 6M Community Arts
6M Community Arts
Sat, Jul. 26th 2-6PM
6M Community Arts presents its inaugural group exhibition, “A Sense of Sixth,” highlighting the creative talents of local 6th Street artists in various mediums. Celebrate this exciting debut with music, food, and community connection.
Artwork: Joel Daniel Phillips, Killed Negative #105, 2024. Oil on Raw Canvas, 50 x 40 in. *Courtesy of Catharine Clark Gallery
Catharine Clark Gallery
Sat, Jul. 26th 3-5PM
Catharine Clark Gallery’s summer program features three solo exhibitions: “A Compelling Narrative” by Joel Daniel Phillips (South Gallery), reflecting on erased histories through New Deal photography archives; “Almost Sanctuary” by Gil Batle (North Gallery), showcasing intricately carved works drawn from his lived experience with incarceration; and “Cleanse / Window” by Nanci Amaka (Media Room), a meditative video installation exploring memory, ritual, and spiritual presence. Presented together, the exhibitions examine how personal histories and collective memory take shape through artistic expression. (Jul. 26th – Sept. 27th)
*Poster courtesy of San Francisco Women Artists Gallery
San Francisco Women Artists Gallery
Sat, Jul. 26th 4:30-7:30PM
San Francisco Women Artists Gallery presents “The Eruption Within Vol.1,” the first San Francisco exhibition by artist and art therapist Alina Obukhova, featuring textured abstract paintings that explore themes of inner tension, release, and renewal. Enjoy free wine, snacks, and the chance to meet the artist at this dynamic opening reception. (Jul. 1st – 31st)
*Poster courtesy of Inclusions Gallery
Inclusions Gallery
Sat, Jul. 26th 5-7PM
Inclusions Gallery presents “Reflection in Abstraction,” a duo exhibition showcasing contemporary works by San Francisco printmaker Mark Brodie and sculptor Yu Jean Choi. Join the artists for a celebratory reception and explore their unique approaches to abstraction. (Jul. 19th – Aug. 24th)
*Banner courtesy of Jettison Creative Foundation
Jettison Creative Foundation
Sat, Jul. 26th 5-8PM
Jettison Creative Foundation presents “CONSUME,” an immersive, all-ages art experience combining dance, fashion, and interactive installations to explore consumer waste, environmental pollution, and climate change. Co-created by Alysia Chang and Kelsey McFalls, the event invites reflection on sustainability through surreal choreography, wearable (and edible) designs, and hands-on workshops.
Beyond SF (Bay Area Picks)
*Poster courtesy of Creative Growth
*Creative Growth – Oakland
Fri, Jul. 25th 5-8PM
Creative Growth presents “Fired Up,” a vibrant survey of contemporary ceramics by past and present studio artists, celebrating the expressive potential of clay through bold forms, textures, and glazes. Featuring both historic and recent works—including large-scale window installations by Nathaniel Jackson and Dan Hamilton—the exhibition honors the studio’s rich ceramic tradition and ongoing spirit of experimentation. (Jul. 25th – Aug. 30th)
*Courtesy of Miles High Art Haus (MHAH) Gallery
*Miles High Art Haus (MHAH) Gallery – Oakland
Sat, Jul. 26th 2PM-1AM
Miles High Art Haus (MHAH) Gallery celebrates its 2nd anniversary with a vibrant all-day Mutual Aid Rent Party at its annual Artists’ + Lovers’ Speakeasy Salon, featuring art by 12+ rising local artists, live music, poetry, food, and performances. Pay-what-you-can donations support a local artist in need—and every guest receives a free poster by c.weird (Chris Weir).