With so many things to do in San Francisco, it's easy to miss the many fantastic art exhibits and shows that pass through smaller galleries, as opposed to big museum shows. While it's nearly impossible for even the most ardent art lover to see it all, we've once again curated a collection of must see exhibits currently (or soon to be) gracing the walls of San Francisco's finest art spaces. Plan accordingly.
Spaces from Yesterday: The Garage, Chandra Cerruti Contemporary/Oakland
Working with prisoners currently incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison, artist Amy M. Ho has created large scale video and architectural installations that turn the inmates' memories into actual spaces and environments. The first in Ho's series of installations will be the garage workshop of prisoner Bobby Evans, so visitors to the exhibit will actually be able to wander through a reproduction of the childhood sanctuary of a convicted felon. Through September 29, Chandra Cerrito Contemporary/Oakland, 480 23rd Street, Oakland
T.W. Five: Across from Us, State Gallery
Working with their chosen medium of vinyl, artists Paula Perreira and Pernilla Andersson have created giant, colorful and presumably shiny murals throughout this Mission District gallery. In fact, the gallery is purported to be "fully" covered, which is a visual you're going to want to check out. Through September 30, State, 1295 Alabama Street, SF
B-Sides, Heron Arts
Heron Arts is one of our favorite San Francisco galleries, tucked away in a brick warehouse on a side street of SoMa. This month, Heron Arts bring us B-Sides: Musicians Show Their Flip Side as Photographers. How cool is that concept? Curated by White Zombie's Sean Yseult, the show features an intimate look at musicians' lives - without any backstage or life on the road cliches. September 10 through October 1, Heron Arts, 7 Heron Street, SF
Gonzalo Fuenmayor: Picturesque, Dolby Chadwick Gallery
Colombian-born, Miami-based artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor brings his buzz-worthy work to San Francisco thanks to this new exhibit at Dolby Chadwick. Working in charcoal, Fuenmayor's work has been described as a hybrid mashup and "deft exploration" of culture clash. Through October 1, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, 210 Post, SF
Minted, Pro Arts/Oakland
Check out the absolute latest in Bay Area Art with this fresh exhibit consisting exclusively of works from recent MFA graduates from San Jose State University. A myriad of mediums, personalities and subjects are included in this eclectic look at the next generation of local artists. Through September 30, Pro Arts/Oakland, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
The Bay Bridge by Air, Land, and Sea, ACCI Gallery/Berkeley
Why should the Golden Gate get all the glory? ACCI Gallery delivers a joint show from Berkley photographers David Garnick and Barrie Rokeach as they focus entirely on the beautiful Bay Bridge. Arial views include dramatic looks at the recent construction of the bridge's eastern span, while land and sea shots offer views of the Bay Area's gorgeous landscape. September 7-27, ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley