(featured image) Nic Dalager. *Courtesy of the Artist
San Francisco is absolutely buzzing this week with art that’s as bold, soulful, and diverse as the city itself. From breakdance battles in the streets and moody cinematic canvases in galleries, to punk collages reborn after resilience and floral tributes to a beloved local artist, Thursday night alone is stacked with can’t-miss moments. And the creativity doesn’t slow down—Friday and Saturday bring everything from family-friendly workshops and discounted open studios, to ritual-filled street festivals and closing receptions that promise to end exhibitions with a bang.
And just across the Bay, Oakland joins the fun with a dreamy group show dedicated to clouds and their ever-shifting beauty. Whether you’re craving live music, quiet reflection, or hands-on making, this lineup has something to spark your curiosity. Scroll down for the full details and start mapping out your art-filled weekend.
Thursday, Aug. 21st
*Poster courtesy of Market Street Arts
Market Street Arts
Thu, Aug. 21st 4-7PM
Market Street Arts presents “UNSTAGED,” a free, interactive arts and entertainment event on Mid-Market showcasing Filipinx musicians, dancers, DJs, and performers. This all-ages celebration features live music, breakdance battles, and community engagement through street-side interviews and performances.
Artworks: (left to right) Matt Kleberg, Frame (Bless Babel), 2025. Oilstick on Canvas, 84 x 72 in. Nicasio Fernandez, Dark Corner, 2025. Oil on Linen, 14 x 11 in. *Courtesy of Berggruen Gallery
Berggruen Gallery
Thu, Aug. 21st 5-7PM
Berggruen Gallery presents “Bless Babel” by Matt Kleberg and “Light Whispers” by Nicasio Fernandez, two solo exhibitions exploring belief, perception, and introspection through distinct visual languages. Kleberg’s vibrant geometric abstractions echo ritual and architecture, while Fernandez’s cinematic, moody scenes invite quiet reflection and emotional depth. (Aug. 21st – Oct. 16th)
*Banner courtesy of 111 Minna Gallery x Studio Fallout
111 Minna Gallery x Studio Fallout
Thu, Aug. 21st 5-10PM
111 Minna Gallery and Studio Fallout present “I Saw but I Did Not See,” a one-night-only solo exhibition by legendary punk collage artist Winston Smith, featuring new and archival works created following his recovery from a sudden heart attack. This powerful pop-up show explores themes of chaos, absurdity, and resilience through Smith’s unmistakable visual style.
Artwork: Richard Bolingbroke. *Courtesy of Hunters Point Shipyard
Hunters Point Shipyard
Thu, Aug. 21st 6-8PM
Hunters Point Shipyard presents “Richard Bolingbroke: A Life in Pattern and Bloom,” a posthumous solo exhibition showcasing the artist’s vibrant, never-before-seen floral watercolor still lifes. Honoring Bolingbroke’s legacy as a painter, gardener, and beloved community advocate, the show offers an intimate tribute to his artistic vision and lasting impact, curated with love by his husband, Steven Gaynes, in collaboration with Shipyard Trust for the Arts.
Friday, Aug. 22nd
*Poster courtesy of Baby Angel / Swim Gallery
SWIM Gallery
Fri, Aug. 22nd 5-8PM
SWIM Gallery presents “Done in a Daze,” a group exhibition showcasing works that demonstrate resilience against digital oppression and reject social media culture. Curated by Saoirse-Naomie Weaver, the show features multiple artists and encourages community participation through a community altar.
*Poster courtesy of Kayl Johnson / The Drawing Room Annex
The Drawing Room Annex
Fri, Aug. 22nd 5-10PM
Join the free Collage Workshop hosted by Kayl Johnson at The Drawing Room Annex for a night of creativity and community at the Communal Table. Supplies are provided, and everyone’s welcome—just show up and create!
Saturday, Aug. 23rd
*Photo courtesy of Creativity Explored
Creativity Explored
Sat, Aug. 23rd 11AM-6PM
Creativity Explored hosts a one-day Open Studio Sale offering 25% off all original artwork, with extended hours and a special VIP donor preview. Shoppers can explore a wide range of work by CE artists in person or enjoy free shipping on online purchases over $100.
*Photo courtesy of Museum of Craft and Design
Museum of Craft and Design
Sat, Aug. 23rd 12-4PM
The Museum of Craft and Design’s MakeArt Family Day offers hands-on activities inspired by their current exhibitions “Beau McCall: Buttons On!” and “A Roadmap to Stardust,” inviting visitors of all ages to create button art, clay diffusers, and constellation cards. The event also launches a community papier-mâché project to support accessibility for the upcoming exhibition “Judith Schaechter: Super / Natural.” *Tickets $10 General Admission, $8 for Students and Seniors
*Poster courtesy of The Drawing Room Annex
The Drawing Room Annex
Join Kayl Johnson & Jules 777 for a hands-on Fabric Paint Workshop—create custom designs on provided tote bags and fabric paint, or bring your own blank clothing to personalize something special! *Tickets $40
Artwork: Sheila Ghidini, Still Point No. 1, 2025. Graphite, Colored Pencil, and Metallic Ink on Paper, 19.5 x 19.5 x 2 in. *Courtesy of Pastine Projects
Pastine Projects
Sat, Aug. 23rd 3-5PM
Pastine Projects presents “Still Point,” a solo exhibition by Sheila Ghidini featuring new drawings and sculptures that explore the tension between movement and stillness through elemental shapes and negative space. The show reflects a refined evolution of Ghidini’s practice, blending architectural structure with poetic abstraction. (Aug. 23rd – Sept. 27th)
Artwork: Kenichi Kuriyagawa, Bright Twilight (Hokkaido University Campus, Mt. Teine), 1988. Handmade Silkscreen Print, Limited Edition, 91/100, 21 x 24 in. *Courtesy of Art House SF Gallery
Art House SF Gallery
Sat, Aug. 23rd 4-8PM
Art House SF Gallery celebrates the closing reception of “Four Seasons,” by Kenichi Kuriyagawa featuring 20 visionary silkscreen prints that reimagine Hokkaido as a serene, futuristic landscape. Known as the “Father of Hokkaido design,” Kuriyagawa’s work blends modern aesthetics with a profound love for nature.
Artwork: Jeanette Lazam. *Banner courtesy of Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC)
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC)
Sat, Aug. 23rd 4-9PM
The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) presents the 3rd annual Hungry Ghost Festival: Demons Of Our Times, transforming Chinatown into a free, vibrant space of healing, remembrance, and resistance with art, performances, and a parade featuring a 16-ft Ghost King. This reimagined tradition honors the forgotten and confronts modern injustices through community rituals rooted in centuries-old Chinese diaspora customs.
*Banner courtesy of Jettison Arts Foundation x Jettison Creative Studio
Jettison Arts Foundation x Jettison Creative Studio
Sat, Aug. 23rd 5-8PM
Jettison Arts Foundation and the Jettison Creative Studio present “JOY! (softcore healing),” a vibrant and playful exhibition by August Artist-in-Residence and San Francisco artist Nic Dalager that celebrates curiosity, emotional resilience, and the transformative power of reconnecting with your inner child.
*Poster courtesy of Slash Art
Slash Art
Sat, Aug. 23rd 5-8PM
Slash Art celebrates the closing of its summer exhibitions “As Long as the Earth Endures” and “Lagrange Point” with performances, a screening, and the launch of a new essay by David A.M. Goldberg. Highlights include works by Wendi Yan, Santino Gonzales, Jasmine Zhang, and Whit Forrester.
*Poster courtesy of Birdhouse Gallery
Birdhouse Gallery
Sat, Aug. 23rd 6-9PM
Birdhouse Gallery presents “Art & Stories,” by Thomas Wang, a three-part show featuring paintings inspired by nature, people, and ceremony: Year of the Snake (Aug. 7th), Birds of a Feather (Aug. 23rd), and Butterflies Inside (Aug. 28th), each from 6-9PM, blending narrative and art into a vibrant experience.
Collage image of Augustine Kofie & Erik Otto works in progress. *Photo courtesy of Heron Arts
Heron Arts
Sat, Aug. 23rd 6-9PM
Heron Arts presents “Reclamation,” a duo exhibition by Augustine Kofie and Erik Otto that explores personal loss, renewal, and identity through abstract collage and luminous mixed media works. Both artists reclaim their creative voices following life-altering events, transforming grief and destruction into deeply expressive, material-driven art. (Aug. 23rd – Sept. 20th)
Artwork: Marie Cameron, Birds & Teacups. *Courtesy of Arc Gallery & Studios
Arc Gallery & Studios
Sat, Aug. 23rd 7-9PM
Arc Gallery & Studios presents two dynamic exhibitions celebrating Bay Area artists: “FourSquared XVI,” curated by Michael Yochum, features sixteen artists each presenting sixteen small, affordable works in a series of mini solo exhibitions that highlight local talent, while “SquaredAlumni XIII” brings together six distinguished alumni from previous FourSquared shows—each exhibiting four works in a reflection of Arc partners’ enduring support for the San Francisco Bay Area art community. (Aug. 23rd – Oct. 4th)
Beyond SF (Bay Area Picks)
Artwork: Paola Berthoin, Evanescence. Oil, 36 x 40 in. *Courtesy of Gray Loft Gallery
*Gray Loft Gallery – Oakland
Sat, Aug. 23rd 5-7:30PM
Gray Loft Gallery hosts the closing reception for “The Art of Clouds,” a group exhibition celebrating clouds as symbols of impermanence, wonder, and imagination. Featuring photography, painting, mixed media, and installation, the show highlights contemporary interpretations of this timeless subject by Bay Area artists.
*Poster courtesy of The Jazba Collective
*Jazba Bazaar at Santana Row – San Jose
Sun, Aug. 24th 1-7PM
The Jazba Collective celebrates South Asian founders with its first-ever Jazba Bazaar at Santana Row, featuring 40 brands across food, fashion, beauty, home, and more. Enjoy founder talks, a fashion show, live DJ beats, and delicious bites while connecting with community and culture.