SF Open Studios - Weekend 1 - Mission, Noe, Bernal, Castro, Excelsior October 1, 2011

Sat-Sun, Oct. 1-2, 11am-6pm

San Francisco comes alive with art this October as ArtSpan presents its 36th Annual SF Open Studios - the oldest and largest event of its kind in the country - now with an added fifth weekend. From Dogpatch to Fort Mason, the Mission to Ocean Beach, each weekend features new neighborhoods to explore as more than 900 emerging and established artists open their studios to show and sell their work during the month-long event. It's an unrivaled opportunity for art patrons, collectors, and admirers to connect one on one with artists, get a glimpse of the working artist's life, and to find their next true art love.

SF Open Studios is free, self-guided and takes place every weekend October 1 - 30, 2011 from 11 am to 6 pm. Each weekend features artists in different neighborhoods. To assist in planning studio visits, the public is invited to learn about the participating artists at artspan.org or by picking up the free SF Open Studios Guide, complete with thumbnail reproductions, contact information, and map locations, available at SOMArts Cultural Center at 934 Brannan St. during regular gallery hours throughout October. While at SOMArts, visitors can enjoy the SF Open Studios Exhibition, featuring select works by many participating artists, on view September 29 - October 29, 2011.

The Mission, Bernal Heights, Castro, Eureka Valley, and Excelsior are the focus of Weekend 1, October 1 & 2. Paul Madonna, well-known Mission-based illustrator and creator of All Over Coffee, a weekly strip in the San Francisco Chronicle and on The Rumpus, returns this year, as well as painter and installation artist Cynthia Tom, whose surreal paintings touch on cultural identity, women's issues, the circus and more. The Metal Arts Guild sets up shop on Valencia St. to showcase the work of dozens of highly skilled, contemporary metal and jewelry artists, while queer activist artist Doyle Johnson shows his edgy mixed media and installation work in the Castro.

Official Website: http://www.artspan.org