Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie | 500 Capp Street | Oct. 4, 2025–Jan. 10, 2026

Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie

October 4, 2025–January 10, 2026
Curated by Lian Ladia
Image: Installation View Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie. 500 Capp Street, San Francisco.

500 Capp Street (David Ireland House)
500 Capp Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

500 Capp Street Website
500 Capp Street Instagram

500 Capp Street Hours (David Ireland House)

Overview

Today’s LOVE LETTER TO ART features Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie, curated by Lian Ladia, at 500 Capp Street (the David Ireland House).

Blue Reverie unfolds as a poetic dialogue with the late David Ireland and his storied home, using the color blue as both material and method. Created during Wagner’s 2025 artist residency, the exhibition weaves photography, installation, sound, and sculptural interventions into the environmental artwork of the house, inviting viewers to experience blue as atmosphere, memory, and perceptual lens.

Preview of Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie. 500 Capp Street, San Francisco.

Shown here:
1) Curator Lian Ladia
2) Catherine Wagner’s Blue Reverie at 500 Capp Street unfolds as a layered dialogue with David Ireland.
3) Blue filters turn century-old windows into doubled views of the city.
4) Life-sized photographs of historic light bulbs hover between object and image.
5) Painter’s tape traces delicate spatial gestures.
6) Natural light acts as a collaborator—sunrise, sunset, and shifting daylight shape the way Wagner’s and Ireland’s blue works are seen and felt.
7) Drawn from decades of friendship and conceptual exchange with the late David Ireland, and the Paule Anglim Archive, Blue Reverie blends memory, perception, and environment.
8) Artist Catherine Wagner
9) A LOVE LETTER TO ART‘s Michelle Kwan

Blue filters turn century-old windows into doubled visions of the city; life-sized photographs of historic light bulbs hover between object and image; and painter’s tape drawings trace spatial gestures that feel provisional yet deeply intentional. Drawing from the Paule Anglim Archive and decades of conceptual exchange between Wagner and Ireland, Blue Reverie reframes the house not as a static archive but as a living collaborator—one that holds history lightly, honors process over permanence, and asks us to slow down, look again, and sit with what lingers.

The exhibition also includes contributions from members of Wagner’s team, with works by Sophia Ramirez, Deirdre Visser, Nathan Kosta, Martín Rodriguez Serrano, Anika Murthy, and TZ Jiang installed throughout the house.

Catherine Wagner on her Process for Blue Reverie and her Friendship with David Ireland

Blue Reverie is a spectacular show in which natural light plays as much of a role as Wagner’s blue interpretive works. I always say that 500 Capp is a surrealist’s dream and is, in every sense, a surrealist dream—an amalgamation of perception, ideas, objects, and the house itself.

It’s my absolute favorite place in San Francisco to experience conceptual art. I choose my words carefully here: the David Ireland House is a true experience—an escape into a land of beautiful oddities. Slightly haunted, but in the best way possible. You know, in that good way where you feel like David Ireland is drifting about, checking you out as you’re checking his stuff out. Just arbitrary spirit-world stuff, if you’re into that.

Since I’m not in the city as much as I used to be—in my twenties and thirties I’d hop from neighborhood to neighborhood by foot, BART, or MUNI on any given day—nowadays, a day in the Mission is a destination and must include a burrito of some sort, or at best, a crunchy taco from El Buen Sabor.

🗓 Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie runs alongside David Ireland: Blue Extraction until January 10, 2026 at 500 Capp Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. 
💌 Did you see the show(s) or try any of our recommendations? What did you think? Let us know in the comments (in the Reviews section located on the second tab at the top of the page).
✨ TIP: 500 Capp Street is a great place to visit if you’re wanting to see experimental art in a more intimate, less chaotic space than, say, a traditional museum. I recommend booking the guided tour (tickets are $20 online) as the docents’ narrative adds an additional level of appreciation to the experience.

QUICK GUIDE: 500 Capp Street

⭐ EXHIBITIONS: ON VIEW: Catherine Wagner: Blue Reverie and David Ireland: Blue Extraction from Oct. 4, 2025–Jan. 10, 2026; UPCOMING: Trina Michelle Robinson: Open Your Eyes to Water (double venue show with Root Division) from Feb. 11–May 16, 2026. 

⭐ LOCATION: The 500 Capp Street Foundation is located at 500 Capp Street (corner of 20th Street). It is a 9-min walk from the 24th Street Bart Station and a 10-min walk from the 16th Street Bart Station.

⭐ HOURS: Open Friday and Saturday from 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. *FREE Self-Guided Tours on Friday and Saturday during business hours. Guided Tours (60 min/$20) are available on Fridays at 4:00 p.m.

⭐ ADMISSION: ADMISSION IS ALWAYS FREE to 500 Capp Street. *Donations at the front door and online are welcome!

⭐ PROGRAMS: The foundation also provides artists’ residencies, classes, internships, and events.

⭐ EVENTS:

• UPCOMING: *Opening Reception for Trina Michelle Robinson: Open Your Eyes to Water (double venue show with Root Division) on February 14, 2026 from 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. at 500 Capp Street; 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at Root Division.

⭐ NEARBY ART:

• Ruth’s Table | UPCOMING: Hope Thrives from Jan. 27–March 6, 2026 | 3-min walk // 2-min drive
• Ruth Asawa’s Growth mosaic at Bethany Center | 2-min walk // 1-min drive
• Incline Gallery | UPCOMING: TBA | 7-min walk // 3-min drive
• Gray Area | UPCOMING: Sandrine Deumier: Unnatural – Of Humus & Artifact from Jan. 21–March 15, 2026. *Opening Reception Jan. 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m.; Closing Reception with Artist Talk on March 12, 2026 | 8-min walk // 3-min drive
• Anälog (gallery) | UPCOMING: TBA | 9-min walk // 3-min drive
• Et al (gallery) | UPCOMING: Cybele Lyle: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and Carrie Hott: years ago open Jan. 16, 2026 |12-min walk // 4-min drive
• Creativity Explored | ON VIEW: TBA. *Don’t miss their Creativity Explored X Open Invitational Art Fair (215 Fremont Street) from Jan. 23–25, 2026 | 18-min walk // 4-min drive

⭐ NEARBY SHOPPING:

• Landline Home | TERRIFIC vintage home goods store. | 8-min walk // 3-min drive

  A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CHEAP & CHEERFUL DINING PICKS

• Taqueria El Buen Sabor | Get the crunchy and shrimp tacos! | 9-min walk // 3-min drive

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CASUAL DINING PICKS

• Buddy (cocktail bar + cafe + wine club) | Casually chic bar and eatery. | 5-min walk // 2-min drive
• The Beehive (cocktail bar + bites) | Channel your inner mod in this retro-themed cocktail lounge. | 6-min walk // 3-min drive
• Ritual (cafe) | Drip and pour-over coffees in a bright, bustling, WiFi-free setting. | 7-min walk // 5-min drive
• Tartine Bakery | My go-tos are the lemon cream tart, and then a country loaf to take home! | 12-min walk // 4-min drive

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S ROMANTIC DINING PICKS

• Foreign Cinema/Laszlo | Outdoor film screenings + California cuisine—still the perfect date, 27 years later. Start with a drink at their FANTASTIC sister bar, Laszlo, or order from the same menu and dine right at the bar. | 5-min walk // 2-min drive

💌 More nearby suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to add in the comments!

A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS

NEARBY ART

Ruth’s Table | 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Ruth’s Table in San Francisco is an arts nonprofit that focuses on bringing generations together through creative projects, gallery exhibitions and community initiatives.

Ruth Asawa's Growth Mosaic | Bethany Center | 580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Peter Coyote and Ruth Asawa’s family discuss her Growth mosaic.

Incline Gallery | 766 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

We are an alternative art space that fosters relationships between community and artists. We create opportunities for emerging as well as established artists to exhibit in a non-cube format that challenges and encourages experimentation in exhibition design. Our role continues to expand by facilitating outside curators, international exchanges and partnerships within a community based organization. Incline Gallery was founded in 2010 by a group of artists. Today it continues to be owned an operated by Christo Oropeza, co-founder and Artist

Creativity Explored | 3245 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Art changes lives. Support Artists with Disabilities by Buying Art or Partnering with Us. San Francisco Based Progressive Art Studio.

Gray Area | 2665 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Gray Area is a San Francisco-based nonprofit cultural incubator. Our mission is to cultivate, sustain, and apply antidisciplinary collaboration—integrating art, technology, science, and the humanities—towards a more equitable and regenerative future. Since our inception in 2008, Gray Area has established itself as a singular hub for critically engaging with technology and culture in the Bay Area, while also reaching a global audience. Through our platform of public events, education, and research programs we empower a diverse community of creative practitioners with the agency to create meaningful social impact through category-defying work.

Anälog | 886 Capp St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Anälog gallery is an underground community exhibition space established April 2019 by owner Guy Campbell and curator Don Ross. The gallery was constructed by Campbell in the ground floor of his 19th century victorian town house, created to exhibit art and performance from local artists in the Bay Area.

Et al. / Et al. etc. | 2831a Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Website for Et al., a contemporary art gallery, located in San Francisco’s Mission District. Et al. is co-directed by Aaron Harbour, Jackie Im, and Kevin Krueger.

NEARBY SHOPPING

Landline | 717 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Landline, your go-to destination for home goods that transform ordinary gatherings into unforgettable experiences. Our curated selection of entertaining, tabletop pieces, barware and cookware will elevate your personal style and leave your guests with a smile.

We feature responsibly made, local, and vintage designs that empower everyone to effortlessly create remarkable and inspiring gatherings.

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CHEAP & CHEERFUL DINING PICKS

El Buen Sabor | 699 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Taqueria El Buen Sabor San Francisco Established in 1995 in the heart of the Mission District, in San Francisco. Our taqueria serves delicious home-style Mexican food at the best prices in town!

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S CASUAL DINING PICKS

Tartine Bakery | 600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Tartine is a thoughtful expression of modern craft through good food and warm experiences. We are a product of our communities and our friends.

Ritual Coffee Roasters | 1026 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110

A San Francisco original since 2005. Ritual is a fully independent and woman-owned coffee roasting company.

The Beehive | 842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The Beehive is a ‘60s-inspired neighborhood cocktail bar that channels free-spirited, funkier times. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, The Beehive offers era apropos craft cocktails and delicious fare that exudes modern Mad Men vibes.

BUDDY | 3115 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Friendly bar, cafe, and wine club in San Francisco's Mission District.

A LOVE LETTER TO ART’S ROMANTIC DINING PICKS

Foreign Cinema | 2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Established in 1999, Foreign Cinema redefines the dining experience, combining the allure of Californian-Mediterranean cuisine with the enchantment of outdoor movie screenings. Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, this iconic venue serves as a beacon for culinary and film aficionados from around the globe.

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Author: ALoveLettertoArt