Developing Environments 40th Anniversary & Open Studios October 27, 2012

Oct 27-28, 11am to 6pm both days

Developing Environments (DE), one of San Francisco's earliest legal artist residences, began in 1972 as a small group of urban dreamers in search of a place in which to live and work. DE is located in the top floors of a former fruit canning factory in the industrial NE Mission. It has provided low cost housing for hundreds of painters, sculptors, graphic designers, dancers, photographers, and performers ever since.

DE is a collaboration of artists who have agreed to live together to work for the good of the community. The environment is unique as the 38 artists who live there. The live-work experience is a sustainable balance of community interaction and privacy. Wide halls, big windows, historic freight elevator, and large lobby have contributed to the high value for the hundreds of creative people who have lived there throughout the last four decades.

The work began with a group of pioneering artists who creating studios in raw open space, reinstalling windows, building out walls which previously had been separated only by parachutes, cardboard and sheets. Three long term leases have been obtained from the building owners, the Royce Family. Inspired by the idealism of the 70's, a working community model evolved. All decisions are made through consensus which is the foundation of the by-laws.

When Open Studios began in the late 70's, DE was one of the first artist's buildings to open its doors to the public. One of the big draws to artist buildings such as DE and its neighbor, Project Artaud was that one could visit a group of studios under one roof and artists in their studio lofts. Over the last four decades the North East Mission has seen intense changes in development and density. Developing Environments remains central to this robust arts district.

Open Studios at DE will feature members works along with a 40 year timeline in lobby, an audio installation with members telling stories, and prizes for a treasure hunt to explore DE.

Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/416642691715368/