When 111 Minna Gallery was founded in San Francisco’s SOMA district in September 1993, it was the first contemporary art gallery in the city’s downtown area. (The gallery opened one month before the Yerba Buena Art Center’s debut.) Over the past two decades, San Francisco’s SOMA District has transitioned into a mosaic of high-end galleries and world-class museums that are all within walking distance.
Yet, 111 Minna maintains its independent nature among its higher-brow neighbors and has established a gallery-by-day, social-haven-by-night reputation. The gallery focuses equally on local and international artists and has also exhibited work by tattoo artists and multi-talented musicians.
A group show, 111@111, that closed in January featured work from 111 of the artists that have built solid relationships with the gallery. The exhibit, which included work from Bram de Martelaere, Stacey Rozich, and Jennybird, showcases the curatorial mix that can often be found at 111 Minna.
“We’re open to a lot of different styles, [111@111] is just kind of spotlighting a whole slew of artists who have supported us and [who] we have supported over the last decade,” assistant curator Angela Holmes says.
Beginning February 3, the gallery will be presenting Fresh Air, a group show with Ian Robert Mullen, William Edwards, and Mike Kimball. Each artist takes a completely different approach to their chosen medium, be it woodcarving, ceramics, or painting, but they all pull inspiration from their surroundings and share a mutual dedication to meticulousness.
In addition to exhibiting artists’ work, 111 Minna also represents a number of artists and plays an active role in showcasing their work to potential collectors. The gallery is the first in the US to debut Brazilian surrealist Claudio Ethos’ work, but it also champions local talent like Seth Armstrong, Brett Amory, Ferris Plock and Kelly Tunstall.
“Our two biggest are Kelly Tunstall and Ferris Plonk,” Holmes says. “It’s kind of adorable; they’re husband and wife, so a lot of their paintings are collaborations with one another.”
The 4,000-square-foot venue – complete with two bar areas – also hosts performances, film screenings and art-related events that cater to both regulars as well as newcomers. One monthly event that always seems to pull in a crowd is “Sketch Tuesday.” Fifteen or so local artists will stop by and sit side by side and draw continuously, giving attendees the chance to see them create custom work on the spot and to purchase affordable art. It has also become a way for up-and-coming artists to get some recognition and meet like-minded people.
“A lot of people come and just sit on the sidelines and draw themselves,” Holmes says. “You get introduced to a lot of new people that you’d never see before.”