Eight bridges connect the San Francisco Bay, so it is an apt name for a gallery platform that brings the Bay Area art world together despite restrictions on travel, celebrations and other larger gatherings. For its first iteration, in October 2020, 8-bridges sponsored the Museum of the African Diaspora. Featured galleries in January include: Fraenkel Gallery, Jessica Silverman, Ration 3 and Altman Siegel, in support of the Tipping Point Community. On the first Thursday of every month, 8-bridges presents 8 online shows of artists relevant to the Bay Area. [Ed. Note: 8-bridges is sponsored by Lobus, Phillips and The Space Program. Info]
Above: Wardell Milan, Untitled (Tulip, Tennessee no. 5), 2020; courtesy of Fraenkel Gallery

 Left: Hayal Pozanti, Making Rainbows (58 – Kamgu Nuno), 2020; courtesy of Jessica Silverman

Sophia Kinell, Phillips’ regional lead for San Francisco, a member of the founding committee—or as she calls it, a “very collaborative creative brain trust”, recently spoke about the platform and its mission:

"8-bridges is a new online initiative created to highlight artists and culture here in the Bay Area, and named after the eight bridges that connect the San Francisco Bay.

"Essentially, each month, a rotating roster of participating galleries will launch eight shows of artists relevant to our region. Each cycle will also spotlight a local institution, directing visitors to their site to learn more and to donate.

The art scene here in the Bay Area has changed drastically, particularly in the last five to ten years. The re-opening of SFMOMA has certainly been a catalyst and point of inspiration for this—not only is it a tremendous anchor here in the community, but it is also truly a world-class institution that consistently mounts exceptional exhibitions, hosts engaging programs and draws an international audience. We are so lucky to have it here.

Laurie Reid, A Lily, Folded Like A Pyramid, 2020; courtesy of Ratio 3

“What is most exciting for me to see though are all of the young upstarts that are building here in the Bay Area, just like Phillips: Adrian Rosenfeld Gallery, Rebecca Camacho Presents and Friends Indeed Gallery, to name a few. We are sitting and operating in the nexus of innovation and entrepreneurship, and it is a very exciting time to be here.

“San Francisco is a very tight-knit community. We started 2020 with FOG Design + Art Fair here—arguably the most significant week on our calendar*—and then right on the heels of that, we went into shutdown phase. The inability to gather and convene around art was felt much more sharply I think, especially with all of the museum closures. Overall, the response has been exceedingly positive—people are excited about the concept of banding together and bridging what are otherwise disparate parts.”
* FOG Design + Art Fair has been postponed until 2022. Info

In the tradition of San Francisco’s celebration of the visual arts in January, 8-bridges has announced 4 x 8-bridges – an expansion of the 8-bridges website to include thirty-six Northern California art galleries, each showing four carefully selected works as well as a series of talks, podcasts and zoom walk-throughs. The expanded program runs from January 25-31—normally the week of FOG Design + Art Fair. More TBA here.

David Park, Couple, 1959; courtesy of Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art / SFMOMA is presenting Painting the Human Experience, a major online survey of work by Bay Area legend, David Park. Info Additional online offerings includes Keeping it Creative: Staff Projects During Shelter In Place, which features Tanya Gayer, Exhibitions Coordinator at SFMOMA, who curated MAAKE Magazine’s Issue 11 on the theme “take care of each other.” She took that phrase, which her mother, who passed away this year, would say to loved ones in parting. “I had no idea my work with MAAKE in 2020 would become such a valuable marker in my personal history. I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to look inward with this project.” Info

Eugene Macki, Opening Dialogue, 2019 [featured artist, Issue 11]

From the website: Maake Magazine is an independent, artist-run, limited edition print publication and online resource showcasing the work of emerging artists. Our goal is to exhibit innovative and experimental contemporary artwork and foster conversation and community. We explore the place where fiber, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, painting, digital, design and more come together to create exciting and groundbreaking work. 

Our mission is to support emerging artists, writers, and curators through our print publication, exhibitions, and online interviews. Follow us on social media @maakemag to stay up-to-date on current issues, opportunities and events. Check out the many full-length interviews with featured artists online under each issue. We feature artists working in all media.

MAAKE is available in NYC at McNally-Jackson Books and elsewhere here.

Aidas Bareikis, from Spectropia, at SLA Art Space, NYC

Elsewhere, Live, from DART subscribers:

January 9, Portland, OR: Billy White at Adams and Ollman. 418 NW 8^th Avenue. Info PRinterview

January 9, Los Angeles, CA: Accra Shepp, Folium Pictum at Von Lintel Gallery. 1206 Maple Avenue, Los Angeles CA. Info

January 9, New York, NY: Aidas Bareikis, Spectropia at SLA Art Space, 307 West 30^th Street, NY, NY Info