San Francisco Art Fair
April 17–20, 2025
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, San Francisco
Image: 2024 San Francisco Art Fair Attendees. Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, San Francisco.
Overview
The San Francisco Art Fair, formerly known as Art Market San Francisco, is the city’s longest running art fair, taking place annually at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. This year’s fair features 85 galleries from around the world and kicks off with it’s opening party on Thursday night, followed by 3 additional days of viewing and purchasing art.
Admission
Tickets to the event are available at 2 levels. Admission to the opening party + 3-day pass is $65 and a DAILY pass is $35.
Programming
San Francisco Art Fair’s projects and events include presentations, talks, demonstrations, and performances given by a variety of art professionals, and are FREE to attend with admission.
A LOVE LETTER TO ART RECOMMENDS
Investing in Black Art for the Home: Curating Cultural and Financial Value | Friday, April 18, 2025 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Art has the power to transform a space, tell a story, and build wealth. This panel discussion will explore the intersection of living space, cultural investment, and Black artistry, offering insights on how to curate a home that reflects both personal identity and financial value. Our panelists will discuss the importance of integrating Black art into home design, the impact of art in shaping cultural narratives, and how to identify pieces that appreciate in value. Attendees will gain practical tips on collecting art, supporting emerging Black artists, and understanding the role of art as a long-term investment. Whether you’re a homeowner, a first-time buyer, or an art enthusiast, this conversation will deepen your appreciation of Black art’s role in enriching both living spaces and financial portfolios. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with panelists and view curated works by Black artists at the Fair. Panelists will include Sean Green, Arternal CEO; Jonathan Carver Moore, Gallerist & Art Advisor; Erik Moore, Founder and Managing Director of Base Venture; Jacquelyn Iyamah, Designer and Author; Pablo Circa, Photographer living and working in Oakland, California. The discussion will be moderated by Kemi Amin, Realtor, Red Oak Realty. Jacquelyn Iyamah, Designer … Continued
San Francisco Street Art: A Conversation with Erlin Adones Geffrard | Friday, April 18, 2025 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Curator René de Guzman and artist Erlin Adones Geffrard will explore the artist’s background and dynamic body of work, touching upon relationships to fringe and mainstream cultures such as the Mission School and Abstract Expressionism. This far-reaching conversation also highlights the social and geographical context from which the rising star emerged. René de Guzman started his career as an artist with artworks have shown throughout the United States and acquired by private and public art collections such as the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive and San José Museum of Art, among others. In addition to an individual studio practice, de Guzman was a member of Diwa Arts, a Filipino-American artist collective. Focusing on curatorial work, de Guzman assumed a leadership role at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) in 1992 and opened the multidisciplinary contemporary art center. As Director of Visual Arts, he created an influential exhibition program, commissioned artworks, launched careers of acclaimed artists, and established Bay Area Now, a triennial survey of emerging regional art. He joined the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) in 2007 to complete a major renovation of the Museum’s campus and oversee the reinstallation of the Gallery of California Art. As Senior Curator … Continued
Motherhood and Art | Saturday, April 19, 2025 12:00–1:00 p.m.
“Motherhood and Art” explores the intersection of creative expression and motherhood, highlighting how these two powerful forces shape and challenge each other. This discussion delves into the unique experiences of mothers in the art world, examining their creative practices and how motherhood influences their work. We’ll also address enduring stereotypes around motherhood and art, industry-specific problems, and the societal expectations and personal dynamics that come with balancing art and parenting. Katie Hintz-Zambrano is the founder & editor of the multi-platform media brand MOTHER, which she launched in 2014 after noticing a void in the market for a journalism-driven, design-forward publication for modern moms. She is also the host of The MOTHER Podcast and founder of In Good Company, a brand specializing in vibrant, in-person gatherings for creative women, entrepreneurs, and mothers. Libby Black is a painter, drawer, and sculptural installation artist living in Berkeley, CA. Her artwork charts a path through personal history and a broader cultural context to explore the intersection of politics, feminism, LGBTQ+ identity, consumerism, addiction, notions of value, and desire. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, with such shows as “California Love” at Galerie Droste in Wupertal, Germany; “Bay Area Now 4” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; “California Biennial” … Continued
Cultural Institutions: The Next 4 Years | Saturday, April 19, 2025 2:00–3:00 p.m.
As museums and other cultural institutions navigate political and economic change, how can those dedicated to historically excluded communities amplify their missions? This panel brings together our city’s arts leaders to discuss the path of cultural institutions over the next four years: how to sustain public and philanthropic support, advocate for inclusivity, and remain vital to the communities they serve. This panel will feature Ali Gass, director of ICA SF; Dr. Soyoung Lee, The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO, Asian Art Museum; Roberto Ordeñana, executive director of the GLBT Historical Society; and Key Jo Lee, chief of curatorial affairs and public programs at the Museum of the African Diaspora. This conversation will be moderated by The San Francisco Standard’s arts reporter Sam Mondros. Sam Mondros, Moderator Sam covers the arts for The San Francisco Standard. Previously, he was a staff reporter at the Point Reyes Light covering government, education, wildlife, and the arts in West Marin. His work has also been featured in The New York Times and Squarecylinder. Ali Gass, Founding Director + Chief Curator, ICA SF Alison Gass is the ICA San Francisco’s founding director. Her leadership focuses on building globally-minded and community-engaged exhibitions programs and diversifying museums’ … Continued
Nexus SF/Bay Area Black Art Week | Sunday, April 20, 2025 12:00–1:00 p.m.
The inaugural Nexus SF/Bay Area Black Art Week in the fall of 2024 was a whirlwind of artistic excellence, community dialogue and ultimately, bridged Black artists and enthusiasts across the Bay Area. Hear from panelists who helped make this historic and monumental event successful, in addition to getting the scoop on what to expect at this year’s event. These changemakers include NEXUS Art Week founder and director of the Museum of African Diaspora, Monetta White; SF gallerist extraordinaire Jonathan Carver Moore; pioneering multidisciplinary artist Lava Thomas; and polymath artist, author, and designer George McCalman. The panel will be moderated by the director of interpretation at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Abram Jackson. Abram Jackson, Director of Interpretation, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Abram Jackson joined the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco as the Museums’ inaugural director of interpretation in June 2022. Jackson utilizes ethnic studies theories and DEIA practices in partnership with staff to incorporate more inclusive narratives into didactics. Jackson has supported the inclusive interpretation of over twenty exhibitions at the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor. Moreover, Jackson developed the interpretation partners program, which incorporates local voices into the interpretive framing for … Continued
Highlights
*Check back after April 20, 2025, as I’ll be posting more photos and my Faves from 2025’s fair HERE.
Below are my SAN FRANCISCO ART FAIR FAVES FROM 2024.
SAN FRANCISCO ART FAIR FAVES 2024 (1)
- Entrance to San Francisco Art Fair
- Kacy Jung // Jonathan Carver Moore
- Valerie Ware with Diana Tremaine // Andra Norris Gallery
- Leeza Taylor & Chris Reisig // Reisig and Taylor Contemporary
- Leeza Taylor & Chris Reisig // Reisig and Taylor Contemporary
- Mads Christensen // Timothy Yarger Fine Art
- Shagha Arianna // CULT Aimee Friberg
- Sarah Palmer // CULT Aimee Friberg
- Lynette Cook // Andra Norris Art Gallery
- Chikako Okada // Andra Norris Art Gallery
- Leeza Taylor & Chris Reisig // Reisig and Taylor Contemporary
- Dan Life // TDL Gallery
- Plastic Jesus // Bruce Lurie Gallery
- Michael Suchta // Bruce Lurie Gallery
- Ramekon O’Arwisters (Ramekon) // Patricia Sweetow Gallery
SAN FRANCISCO ART FAIR FAVES 2024 (2)
- Kati Thomson // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Kati Thomson // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Valerie Ware with BREAKFAST Studio // HOFA Gallery
- Jim Abuan // Laura Stokes Gallery
- Shalene Valenzuela // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Avery Palmer // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Robert Arneson // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Jim Abuan // Laura Stokes Gallery
- Michelle Y Williams // Galerie Envie d’art
- Barbara McFarlane // Rebecca Hossack Gallery
- Nikoleta Sekulovic // Rebecca Hossack Gallery
- Phil Shaw // Rebecca Hossack Gallery
- Mary Finlayson // Eleanor Harwood Gallery
- Ilma Ugiobari // Rebecca Hossack Gallery
- Tyler G. Ormsby // House of Seiko
- Tyler G. Ormsby // House of Seiko
- Renial Del Rosario // Personal Space Gallery
- Dave Eggers // Electric Works
- Louise Stanley // Anglim Trimble
SAN FRANCISCO ART FAIR FAVES 2024 (3)
- Joao Ruas // Ryan Graff Contemporary
- Isabel Alonso Vega // IMAGO Art Gallery
- Isabel Alonso Vega // IMAGO Art Gallery
- Marisol Cid // Alma Collections
- Mary Brown // Chloe Gallery
- Luis Felipe Chavez // Jonathan Carver Moore
- Elena Molinari // Christopher Clark Fine Art
- Weaving // K.R. Martindale Gallery
- Alessandro Casetti // Palma Arte Gallery
- Joris Ghilini // Galerie Envie d’art
- Summer Ming Lee // re.riddle, Dreaming in Public Presentation w/ Nato Thompson
- Richard Shaw // Andra Norris Gallery
- Esther Shimazu // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Esther Shimazu // John Natsoulas Gallery
- Colin Radcliffe // Schlomer Haus Gallery
- Kevin Sabo // Schlomer Haus Gallery
- Terry Thompson // Billis Williams Gallery
- Jenifer K. Wofford // SF Art Dealers Association Presentation
- Noel Rodriguez // Alma Collections
- Romina Ressia // HOFA Gallery
- Mansur Nurullah // Black Space Residency Presentation
- Dominique Birdsong // Jonathan Carver Moore
- Jonathan Carver Moore, Carrie Ann Plank (artwork), and friends
- Open Editions Kiosk & Ruy Cezar Campos Video Installation
Vendors
An assortment of art-inspired merch is featured in the Open Editions pop-up shop, whose brick and mortar is located in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Abacá (LOVE THEM!) will be serving a selection of their acclaimed contemporary Filipino-Californian cuisine from their Fisherman’s Wharf location
Drinks will be available for purchase from Grand Lake Cocktails (crafted cocktails from Oakland’s Grand Lake Kitchen, another local eatery I enjoy), and Roku Gin.
Seating is upstairs towards the rear of the exhibition hall.
Nearby Food & Drink at Fort Mason
Fort Mason also has some great dining and drink options that are just a few steps from the exhibition halls including:
Goody Cafe | 2 Marina Blvd Landmark Building C
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture hosts nearly two dozen non-profit and arts organizations as permanent residents, including Goody Cafe. Come visit our residents today!
Equator Coffees | 2 Marina Blvd (lot entrance)
Equator Coffees is a coffee roaster, retail operator, and coffee farm owner. Founded in 1995, Equator is known for a commitment to sustainably harvested coffee.
Radhaus | 2 Marina Blvd Building A
Radhaus, San Francisco – Alpine Beerhall, restaurant and bar in the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture with a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Greens Restaurant (Since 1979) | 2 Marina Blvd Building A
We believe food should be incredibly nourishing, and that after you enjoy your meal, you should feel great.
The Interval at Long Now, San Francisco Bar + Cafe | 2 Marina Blvd Center Building A
Cafe, bar, museum, and home of The Long Now Foundation in San Francisco. Enjoy coffee or cocktails surrounded by mechanical wonders, books, and the beauty of the San Francisco Bay.
See More Art at Fort Mason
There’s even more art to see at Fort Mason Center at the following locations:
*A LOVE LETTER TO ART'S PICK | SF Camerawork | A Strange Vibration: Lenn Keller, Darcy Padilla, Elizabeth Sunflower | January 22–April 22, 2025 | 2 Marina Blvd Building A
SF Camerawork hosts A Strange Vibration: Lenn Keller, Darcy Padilla, Elizabeth Sunflower in Landmark Building A at Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture.
Haines Gallery | Ricardo Mazal: Pilgrimages | (March 22–April 26, 2025) | 2 Marina Blvd Building C, First Floor
Haines Gallery presents Ricardo Mazal: Pilgrimages at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.
Oscar Lopez: Your Food, My Work, Our Land | May 30, 2024–May 31, 2025 | 2 Marina Blvd between Landmark Buildings B and C
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture (FMCAC) presents Oscar Lopez: Your Food, My Work, Our Land, an outdoor painting commission on the FMCAC campus.
American Indian Cultural District | We Are The Land: Between Earth & Sky | Ongoing | 2 Marina Blvd between Landmark Buildings B and C
The American Indian Cultural District (AICD), with support from Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture (FMCAC), presents new mural commissions by
Museo Italo Americano | 2 Marina Blvd Building C
Museum in San Francisco of Italian and Italian-American art and culture. Exhibitions, Italian language classes, films, lectures, special events, gift shop, guided tours of Italy.
Matt Passmore: Tied/Untied | Ongoing | 2 Marina Blvd (lot entrance)
Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture (FMCAC) is proud to present Matt Passmore’s Tied/Untied.
QUICK GUIDE: SAN FRANCISCO ART FAIR 2025
⭐ DATES: April 17–20, 2025
⭐ HOURS: Open Thursday 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
⭐ ADMISSION: San Francisco Art Fair Opening Party + 3-day fair pass is $65 per person; $35 Daily Pass.
⭐ TALKS: FREE W/ADMISSION. SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL LIST.
- Friday, April 18, 2025 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.: Black Art for the Home: Curating Cultural and Financial Value w/Jonathan Carver Moore, Erik Moore, Jacquelyn Iyamah, Pablo Circa, Kemi Amin.
- Friday, April 18, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.: San Francisco Street Art: A Conversation with Erlin Adones Geffrard and René de Guzman.
- Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Motherhood and Art with Katie Hintz-Zambrano, Libby Black, Ton Mak, Lauren Ryan, Jessica Silverman, Rupy C. Tut.
- Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Cultural Institutions: The Next 4 Years with Ali Gass, Dr. Soyoung Lee, Roberto Ordeñana, Key Jo Lee, Sam Mondros.
- Sunday, April 20, 2025 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week with Monetta White, Jonathan Carver Moore, Lava Thomas, George McCalman, Abram Jackson.
⭐ FOOD/DRINK:
- Drinks by Grand Lake Cocktails, Roku Gin.
- Food by Abacá (contemporary Filipino-Californian cuisine)
- More food/drink @ Fort Mason: The Interval (curated cafe/bar); Goody Cafe (casual art cafe); Equator Coffees; Greens Restaurant (upscale vegetarian); Radhaus (gastropub).
- *Off the Grid/West Coast Craft Spring Night Market 2025 on FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2025 FROM 4:00 P.M.–9:00 P.M. includes 25+ food vendors and 100+ artists/craftspeople.
⭐ SHOP: Open Editions pop-up with unique, art-inspired merch.
⭐ PARKING: Parking Lot $3–$16. *Fort Mason will be hosting their Spring Night Market Event on FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2025 FROM 4:00 P.M.–9:00 P.M. You may want to consider using a rideshare service on that day, as parking may be limited.
⭐ NEARBY ART:
- *SF Camerawork: A Strange Vibration: Lenn Keller, Darcy Padilla, Elizabeth Sunflower (Jan 22–April 22, 2025). OPEN CALL: FORECAST 2025 (Closes April 14, 2025). UPCOMING: FORECAST 2025: SF Camerawork’s Annual Survey Exhibition (May 30–Aug 16, 2025)
- Haines Gallery: Ricardo Mazal: Pilgrimages (March 22–April 26, 2025) [Building C, First Floor]
- Oscar Lopez: Your Food, My Work, Our Land (May 30, 2024–May 31, 2025) [between Landmark Buildings B and C]
- American Indian Cultural District: We Are The Land: Between Earth & Sky (Ongoing) [between Landmark Buildings B and C]
- Museo Italo Americano [Building C]
- Matt Passmore: Tied/Untied (Ongoing) [lot entrance]
Related Posts by A LOVE LETTER TO ART
San Francisco Art Fair (Formerly Art Market) | April 25–28 2024 | Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | A LOVE LETTER TO ART
A LOVE LETTER TO ART’s 2024 guide to the San Francisco Art Fair. Includes visitor information and our favorite works of art.
Art Market San Francisco | April 20–23 2023 | Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | A LOVE LETTER TO ART
A LOVE LETTER TO ART’s Art Market San Francisco 2023 recap. Includes visitor information and our favorite works of art at this year’s fair.
FOG Design+Art Fair Guide 2025 | Jan 23–26 2025 | Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | A LOVE LETTER TO ART
A LOVE LETTER TO ART’s 2025 guide to FOG Design+Art fair at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.
FOG Design+Art Fair Guide 2024 | Jan 18–21 2024 | Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | A LOVE LETTER TO ART
A LOVE LETTER TO ART’s 2024 guide to FOG Design+Art fair at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.
Author: ALoveLettertoArt
