Arts Section

Potrero Branch Library Art Show to Launch on May 7

By Marci Mills

The public is invited to celebrate the opening of the 58th Annual Potrero Hill Artists’ Exhibition on Saturday, May 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Potrero Branch Library, 1616 20th Street.  Festivities will include live jazz by Clifford Brown III, with refreshments provided by Hill merchants.

The 2016 exhibit includes 70 artists who live, work, or study on the Hill, showing work that ranges from painting and photography to ceramics, sculpture, and multi-media.  The exhibition is San Francisco’s oldest annual art show.  In 1951, the late artist Charles Farr gathered a group of individuals who painted with or were tutored by him to stage an exhibit in order to save the Potrero Branch Library from threatened closure for lack of funds. Proceeds from the sale of artwork from that show kept the library open.

The exhibit will run during library hours from May 7 to July 28. 

Calendar

May 5 through 29

Theater: The Most Dangerous Highway; Tells an Afghan Boy’s Tale of Resilience

The play follows a fearless eight-year old businessman, who calls himself “Traffic” and makes his living directing traffic on the treacherous highway connecting Jalalabad to Kabul. Soldiers, accidents, and ghosts are no match for this little fighter who has a knack for surviving the toughest challenges. Inspired by a New York Times article about the real-life “Pepsi bottle boys” of Afghanistan. Tickets: $10 to $34. Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Opening night is May 9 at 8 p.m. The Thick House, 1695 18th Street. Information: goldenthread.org.

May 6

Art: Jessie Bunn

Opening for local artist Jessie Bunn, with waterfront drawings, 6 to 9 p.m.. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.

May 7

Craft: Locket Box Necklances

Just in time for Mother’s Day, create a one-of-a-kind necklace with a secret surprise inside!  Decorate the outside with paper, fabric, lace or other materials, slip a special note, poem or picture inside, or construct a tiny diorama. $10 non-member child, $5 member child. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street. Information: 415.773.0303.

May 19

Film: Without Shame: Stories about HIV from the Community

A screening of powerful, personal stories created by Asian and Pacific Islander  filmmakers. These micro-short videos explore the intersections of identity, culture, and stigma for A&PIs living with or affected by HIV. Presented with compassion, this film series honors the hope, strength, and resiliency of A&PI communities on National A&PI HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Free with museum admission. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Samsung Hall at the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street. Information: asianart.org/events.

May 20 and 21

Art: Recology Residence Exhibitions

The Artist in Residence Program at Recology San Francisco will host an exhibition and reception for artists-in-residence Kate Rhoades, Weston Teruya and student artist Cristina Velázquez. This exhibition is the culmination of four months of work by the artists, who have scavenged materials from the dump to make art and promote recycling and reuse. Friday, May 20, from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, May 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. Additional viewing hours will be held on Tuesday, May 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a gallery walk-through with the artists at 6 p.m.

May 26

Art: Constructed Communication Curator Walk-Through

Picking up threads of the handmade in our impersonal digital era, Kenji Nakayama, Amy Sinbondit and Ben Venom utilize traditional craft techniques to construct objects that communicate in nontraditional ways: through symbols, typography and gestures. Learn more about their craft. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street.