"Making plans to take advantage of Black Friday shopping deals? We'd rather not, personally, that's why we have the Internet and a stack of Amazon gift cards. But if that's your kind of thing, you might want to start queuing up now because one Lori Davenport has already set up camp in front of the St. Petersburg, Florida Best Buy. As she says, "it's not about being first or any sort of firstness, it's about our own personal firstness...it's about the experience of what this brings to you." SF List
It brings you a week's worth of hard nights out on the pavement in front of Best Buy and a brief, if embarrassing, shot at Internet fame. That's what it brings to you.
But if you want to opt out of the buying frenzy, avoid the hysterical crowds and support local artisans, try some of the following craft fairs. The current economic crisis is an unavoidable reality for many organizations as well as individual artists. It has been devastating to a wide array of services, in great part because the availability and wealth of granting agencies has greatly diminished. As a result, individual contributions are a vital artery of support. Your support, now more than ever, is the life-blood of the local arts community, no matter how large or small the gift. The list below is just a sample of what's available, outside the big box stores - the events listed are either local, benefit artists who are not represented elsewhere or non-profit arts organizations that need our support, now more than ever. (Michelle Mansou, Roots Division)
Pear Tree Art : An eclectic group of local artists, painters and sculptors, jewelers and collage artists who have "taken over" Cynthia Tom's studio for a four week (eight day) studio show, sale and workshops.
12 artists, 12 days, 3 comfy couches.
1890 Bryant, #302, San Francisco, CA 94110
Opening Night Reception Friday, November 26 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Schedule (over four weekends):
Fridays, 5:00-8:00pm, Nov. 26; Dec. 3, 10, 17
Sundays, 11:00am-3:00pm, Nov. 28; Dec. 5, 12, 19
http://peartreeart.blogspot.com/
Celebration of Craftswomen
Saturday, Nov 27 10:00a to 5:00p
at Fort Mason Center Herbst Pavillion, San Francisco, CA
The Women's Building 32nd Celebration of Craftswomen takes place Nov 27 - 28 and Dec 4 – 5 at Herbst Pavilion in Fort Mason Center, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. 200 craftswomen each weekend. The Celebration of Craftswomen is San Francisco's biggest holiday fine crafts retail fair, and the largest event exclusively celebrating the craft of women in America. Began in 1979 at the Old Wives Feminist Bookstore on Valencia Street, and now in its 31st year, the fair remains true to it's original mission of providing a venue to showcase arts and crafts made by women.
(The link goes to their website and a coupon for $2 off on the admission fee.
http://www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org/
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/24/DDJE1GC37J.DTL&type=art
http://www.sfexaminer.com/fine-arts/2010/11/holiday-crafts-season-kicks-style
Creativity Explored
Creativity Explored is a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art. Creativity Explored studio artists come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them a wide variety and range of experience, ability, and sensibility. Some of our artists just turned twenty years old, while others are in their eighties. Some have lived lives of previous isolation or institutionalization, while others have spent their entire lives with their families in a supportive and accepting environment. Many of our studio artists speak different languages, or do not speak, and are unable to communicate with each other using spoken language. At Creativity Explored, visual art is language everyone can use to share culture, experience, and feelings.
Dates:
December 3 through December 22, 2010
Opening Reception:
Friday, December 3, 2010, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Opening Weekend:
Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5, 2010, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location:
3245 16th Street (at Guerrero Street), San Francisco CA 94103
Extended Sale Hours (starting December 6th):
Monday, Tuesday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
http://www.creativityexplored.org/
You know how, after the big Thanksgiving feast, there's this "now what?" void? When you try to figure out fun meaningful activities to do with friends & family? One word: MUSEUMS
The Asian Art Museum will be having a Trunk Show and Sale: Unique Contemporary Fashions by Yasuko (with FREE ADMISSION)
Friday, December 10 & Saturday, December 11
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Celebrated contemporary designer Yasuko returns to the Asian Art Museum for two days only with her signature one-of-a-kind garments and fashion accessories as well as an exciting collection of vintage kimono, obi, and haori (jackets).
This two day event benefits the educational programs and exhibitions of the Asian Art Museum.
In conjunction with the special exhibition Beyond Golden Clouds.
http://www.asianart.org/storeevents.htm
25th Annual Tibet Day Fair
Saturday, Dec 11 11:00a to 11:59p
at Fort Mason Conference Center, San Francisco, CA
Experience a unique and enchanting Saturday with members the Bay Area Friends of Tibet and the creation of a Tibetan Sand Mandala, which is a picture of Universal Compassion. A Celebration of all things Tibetan and is the Bay Area's annual tradition and celebration of Tibetan art, politics, culture, and music!
http://www.friends-of-tibet.org/
The 'H' Sale at Roots Division
Saturday, Dec 11 4:00p to 8:00p
at Root Division, San Francisco, CA
Wares All Priced Under $100
Some of the Bay Areas' finest local artisans and emerging artists are coming together for a one night only sale. Items for sale include unique illustrations, paintings & photographs, jewelry, prints, clothing, body products, and more
ROOT DIVISION
3175 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://www.rootdivision.org/
Don't be square, daddy-o and buy what everybody else is buying. Be cool, be hip and let namastenancy@hotmail.com know of any special, non-profit events or organizations that need that extra dollop of PR.
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