Current and future NEMA San Francisco residents will fall for the art scene in Mid-Market. A new effort to revitalize San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood
is focusing on attracting arts groups and events, in hopes of restoring the area to its early 20th century status as the city’s premier entertainment district. As part of Market Street Arts plan, the Mid-Market Business Association & Foundation will be working with artists and creative organizations to launch activations in vacant ground floor spaces in Mid-Market. “Arts and expression have always been linked to Market Street. Entrepreneurship as well,” said Fernando Pujals, deputy director of the group. “It is the natural fit.”
Guided by the vision of Mid-Market as an internationally recognized arts, culture, and entertainment haven, Market Street Arts invests in attracting diverse artists, art organizations, and creative entrepreneurs to vacant storefronts and public activations while also supporting at-risk, long-standing, and new small businesses and art institutions in the Mid-Market area.
Speaking of art in the neighborhood, explore art throughout reimagined buildings spaces, in plazas, on sidewalks, in galleries and restaurants, and more — at the 10th Annual More Than 2 Blocks of Art. Happening on Market Street between 5th and 8th streets, this free event showcases the incredible talent of local artists, bringing together a diverse range of art forms in unique showcase spaces. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, this event promises to captivate and inspire.
Happening Saturday, November 11, 11am-6pm and Sunday, November 12, 11am-6pm on Market Street from 5th Street to 8th Street. The free art walk event is bookended by Market Street’s The Line Hotel and the new IKEA (@5th) at one end, and the Trinity Plaza sculpture garden and Orpheum Theatre (@8th) at the other. The historic and grand Hibernia will host exhibitions, a live DJ, building tours and a cocktail lounge. The first 150 attendees each day receive a free drink (ID required) with an Eventbrite registration.
Featured artists include large-scale installation artist Michael Garlington, visual artists JR Doty and Joe Glasco, sculptor Tara Knutson and mixed media artist Sasinun, and others in the fields of ceramics, dance, photography and illustration. The three block stretch is also home to acclaimed public art commissions from: Lawrence Argent, Alicia McCarthy, Clare Rojas and more.
* Live music from Music City will be playing on the sidewalk at the entrances to the Golden Gate, Warfield and Orpheum theaters. Bands and showtimes will be posted on the event webpage prior to the event.
* Open Studios weekend #3 is also happening both days with additional artists exhibiting throughout the area;
* UN Plaza also reopens this weekend with a new skate park and a day-long Hip Hop Dance Competition from All The Way Live from 1-6pm on Saturday;
* A.C.T.’s Strand Theater will host free drag performances on Sunday, with live music in between performances
* Rooftop destinations Charmaines and Rise Over Run, will be open. Reservations may be required.
With the opening ceremony for the APEC World Leaders conference at City Hall on Saturday, please note:
Transit: BART and Muni Civic Center Station
Parking: IKEA Garage and Trinity Plaza Garage
Biking: Free indoor bike parking at Warm Planet Bikes
Explore the More Than 2 Blocks of Art map here and plan out your weekend.
Image Credit : More Than 2 Blocks of Art
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