California News Beep
  • News Beep
  • California
  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Jose
  • San Francisco
  • Fresno
  • United States
California News Beep
California News Beep
  • News Beep
  • California
  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Jose
  • San Francisco
  • Fresno
  • United States
The San Francisco Standard
SSan Francisco

Your guide to the best events of SF Art Week

  • January 16, 2026

For more than three decades, Recology — yes, the trash collection and processing center — has awarded Bay Area artists residencies to create work sourced from materials at the San Francisco Recycling and Transfer Center. View the work of artists-in-residence Miguel Novelo, Trina Michelle Robinson, Haley Mae Caranto, and Jim Growden.

Four vertical panels show, from left to right: a colorful abstract gradient, leafy plants under power lines, green leaves with intricate black designs overlay, and a man kneeling in a workshop with tools.Source: Courtesy of the Recology Artist-in-Residence ProgramDate and timeFriday, Jan. 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

The city always benefits from more public art. On Friday, participate in the painting process for contemporary artist eL Seed’s mural on the Orpheum Theatre ahead of its official unveiling Saturday — the first-ever incarcerated-led SF Art Week installation. A companion mural is being painted inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in collaboration with Chiaroscuro.

Date and timeFriday, Jan. 16, 12 to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 17, 3 to 5 p.m.

Celebrate the launch of ICA SF’s nomadic model with its Transamerica Pyramid Center exhibition openings, “Tara Donavan: Stratagems” and “Lily Kwong: Earthseed Dome.” The party will feature a DJ, light bites, and a site-specific dance performance of Madeline Hollander’s “Radial Ritual.”

Date and timeSaturday, Jan. 17, 6 to 10 p.m.

Established by the son of renowned Northern California painter Wayne Thiebaud, the North Beach gallery will celebrate the openings of three concurrent exhibitions, including a show of work by UC Davis faculty and alumni, with artist talks.

Date and timeSaturday, Jan. 17, 3 to 5 p.m.

We give plenty of credit to the master painters, but what about the ornate frames that contain their masterpieces? Watch the artisans at Aedicule in Presidio Heights carve and gild frames with gold leaf over two days of demos.

Date and timeSaturday, Jan. 17, and Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the first time, the Fairmont will host a small selection of local and international exhibitors in its Pavilion Room. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to support the ABG Foundation, which provides opportunities to Bay Area artists.

Date and timeMonday, Jan. 19, and Tuesday, Jan. 20

Join critic Andrew Berardini and BAMPFA’s chief curator, Margot Norton, on a tour of the exhibition they curated of work by interdisciplinary fellows, set inside Shack15 at the Ferry Building.

Date and timeTuesday, Jan. 20, 5 to 8 p.m.

Geek out on all things design during an evening of rapid-fire presentations — 20 slides for 20 seconds each — with speakers from Lundberg Design, Unspun, Stanford, and SF Made.

Two people closely examine small, detailed objects displayed in a museum’s well-lit glass cases along a white wall with descriptive labels.Source: Courtesy of Minoosh ZomorodiniaDate and timeWednesday, Jan. 21, 5 to 7 p.m.

Make dioramas and tap into your inner child at this free, all-ages workshop that takes inspiration from the work of Bay Area artist Margaret Kilgallen.

Date and timeWednesday, Jan. 21, 2 to 4 p.m.

This free event invites visitors for a reception, remarks from Asian Art Museum Director and CEO Soyoung Lee, and a curator-led tour of the exhibition “Rave into the Future,” featuring installations by West Asian women and queer artists.

A spacious gallery with colorful lighting features modern art installations, including metallic sculptures, plants, clothes on racks, and projected visuals.Source: Photograph © Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, by Kevin CandlandDate and timeThursday, Jan. 22, 2 to 4 p.m.

Lava Thomas, a multidisciplinary artist, and Key Jo Lee, MoAD’s chief of curatorial affairs and public programs, discuss how fellow Black women artists shaped Thomas’ practice.

Date and timeThursday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m.

Come in your cosplay or just attend for the vibes and explore the final days of the de Young’s “Art of Manga” exhibition. Dance to DJs inside the galleries, nibble on Japanese eats, or partake in a sake tasting. 

People explore a well-lit gallery with large illuminated display cases and walls covered in grids of small, detailed black-and-white drawings or prints.Source: Photo by Gary SextonDate and timeThursday, Jan. 22, 6 to 10 p.m.

The most dedicated collectors and international visitors will be perusing the booths at Fort Mason’s Fog Fair and shopping from the marketplace and pop-ups featuring San Francisco stores Park Life and William Stout Architectural Books. The three-day fair also has an impressive lineup of artist and industry talks, included with admission: Jeffrey Gibson, Suzanne Jackson, Christie’s, the Eames Institute, and more.

Five people sit on a stage in front of an audience, discussing a large photo of an ornate room with a sculptural artwork on display.Source: Courtesy of FOG Design+Art FairDate and timeThursday, Jan. 22, to Sunday, Jan. 25

While you can find the big names in contemporary art at FOG, this new alternative art fair brings together emerging and underground Bay Area galleries in an accessible environment for those just getting into the scene. 

A dark-toned figure wearing a cap sits in front of a tall black structure, with bright red, purple, and gray abstract backgrounds.Source: Courtesy of Minnesota Street ProjectDate and timeThursday, Jan. 22, to Sunday, Jan. 25

Mission-based gallery Et al. will host discussions with artists, authors, and musicians, moderated by Christopher Robin Duncan of Oakland-based publisher Land and Sea.

Date and timeSaturday, Jan. 24, 6 to 9 p.m.

Inspired by work on view at SFMOMA by Sheila Hicks and Suzanne Jackson, create yarn sculptures and watercolor paintings in collaboration with SCRAP SF, a secondhand arts nonprofit founded by the renowned Ruth Asawa.  

Date and timeSaturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25

  • Tags:
  • Art
  • events
  • San Francisco
  • San Francisco Headlines
  • San Francisco News
  • SF
  • SF Headlines
  • SF News
California News Beep
www.newsbeep.com