Passport 2012 October 14, 2012

The San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries (SFAC Galleries) will host its signature Passport event in North Beach on Sunday, October 14, 2012. Bringing together a new lineup of celebrated Bay Area artists, Passport 2012 invites the public to create a limited-edition artist's book by collecting original, artist-designed stamps in a customized Moleskine "passport" notebook. From noon to 4 pm, hundreds of 'do-it-yourself' art collectors will take to the streets following a designated route, to collect stamps from the artists themselves. While discovering some of the brightest spots in North Beach participants can enjoy the people and small businesses that define the neighborhood's unique cultural character. This year's event features stamps by Michael Bartalos, Bert Bergen, Lauren Dicioccio, Jeremy Fish, David Huffman, Walter Logue, Stephanie Syjuco, Kelly Tunstall, Jenifer Wofford, Chelsea Wong. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who will not be stamping, generously donated his stamp design and his support of the project. Volunteers will be administering Mr. Ferlinghetti’s stamp. Artist (and North Beach resident) Jeremy Fish's participation in the event has inspired and resulted in three murals being completed for the neighborhood—one of which will be at Al's Attire and featured the day of the event. Passport offers art enthusiasts an affordable, hands-on art-collecting experience while celebrating local artists and the vibrant communities that support them. The proceeds from the event go toward the SFAC Galleries' Programming Fund, which supports artist honoraria and exhibition costs. As Passport 2012 takes over North Beach, central to the neighborhood is Washington Square Park which will serve as Home Base where people can check in, pick up passports, and grab a map of the event. Home Base will be located at the corner of Powell Street and Columbus Avenue. Each artist is graciously hosted in a North Beach business including Al’s Attire, Artist & Craftsman Art Supply, Bottlecap, The Beat Museum, La Boutique, City Lights Bookstore & Publishers, Eden and Eden, Goorin Brothers Hat Shop, Tattoo Boogaloo, and Vesuvio. Vesuvio and City Lights Bookstore & Publishers will co-host the stamp created by Lawrence Ferlinghetti which Passport holders can get in Jack Kerouac Alley between these two landmark businesses. After the event, Passport holders can head to the After Party which will be held at 15 Romolo from 4 to 7 p.m. (15 Romolo Place San Francisco, CA 94133). Passports will be available for purchase in early September and may be purchased in advance for $25 at the SFAC Galleries or online, www.sfartscommission.org/gallery. Passports are available for purchase the day of the event at Home Base. Only official Passport 2012 booklets will be eligible to receive stamps. For $125, collectors can purchase a Concierge Passport; gallery staff will collect all the stamps and mail it to their home.