Arts & Culture
Overview
As part of our mission to expand our Arts & Culture offerings, the SF LGBT Center’s new Cultural Programs department will encompass visual, literary, and performance arts, as well as cultural events and civic engagement at the Center and within our local community spaces.
Current programs include our pillar concert series Queer Vibes, art exhibits, film screenings, and Vibin’ Live.
Art Spaces: Celebrating Our Past, Present & Future
The Center offers a stimulating environment where LGBTQ+ artists can display or perform their work, share cultural traditions with the community, and tell their uniquely diverse stories.
The Gallery
Our exhibition space is a purpose-built ground-floor gallery adjacent to our lobby dedicated to showing the work of established and emerging artists. In addition to walk-through traffic, we also host gallery events to increase community engagement with the arts.
The Rainbow Room
A 2,300 square foot multipurpose room that has held theater performances, storytelling and spoken word events, comedy shows, and film screenings.
Contact TimothyH@sfcenter.org to learn more about exhibiting your work at the Center.
Art Gallery Exhibitions
“What Remains” Free Exhibit at the Center
October-January 2024 | Regular viewing hours are Monday through Thursday from 2-5 pm
We’re excited to welcome the art and activism exhibition “What Remains” into the Center’s first-floor gallery space. The exhibit, featuring original art pieces from ten local artists, challenges Americans to continue their support of the LGBTQIA+ Community beyond Pride month each June. In order to call out the commodification of the LGBTQIA+ identity during Pride month, What Remains artists hold major brands accountable for their waste. Upcycling the tons of trash generated by the marketing of Pride, each artist creates relevant and modern work.
The FREE exhibit is open now through the end of January – regular viewing hours are Monday through Thursday from 2-5 pm. Check out our Instagram Reel to view the space!
All art pieces are available to purchase via Artsy.net. The pricing listed in the gallery reflects the most up-to-date and accurate prices. For visitors interested in purchasing art pieces or scheduling a viewing time outside of regular hours, please contact our Associate Director of Cultural Programs, Timothy Hampton, at timothyh@sfcenter.org. All proceeds benefit Queer LifeSpace.
Limited edition prints of the original artwork are also for sale. Prints are available for Alma Landeta, Alexander Hernandez, Monica Canilao, Nicole Shaffer, Jun Yang, Leonard Reidelbach, Jason Mecier, and Nat Saia. Only Marcel and Jamil do not have prints. The prints are $100 each, and editions of 25. 50% of print sales will go to QLS, and the other 50% to artists. The prints can be purchased via Artsy.net.
“The Act of Allyship” Exhibit
November-January 2024| Regular viewing hours, by appointment only, are Monday through Thursday from 2-5 pm
In April 2023, when Montana Republicans barred transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from the House floor wielding “decorum” rules after she rebuked colleagues supporting a ban on gender-affirming care for children and protested their efforts to silence her.
San Francisco artist Joy Chew, the founder and owner of Joyous Joyful Joyness, wanted to use her artistic skills of fine art foiled prints to show up for the LGBTQ+ community as an ally and amplify the voice and message of Zooey Zephyr (@zoandbehold). With this act of allyship, Joy created an art-foiled print of Zooey Zephyr. “Let Her Speak!” was the voice that Joy wanted to give with the artwork that she created and donated to the SF LGBT Center.
After accepting the art-foiled print of Zooey Zephyr, we decided to meet with Joy. During the meeting, Joy expressed wanting to donate more art-foiled prints of LGBTQ+ ICONS from San Francisco and worldwide. Together, we created 18 pieces honoring LGBTQ Icons.
Through the months of November to January 2024, we will be displaying these art-foiled images of LGBTQ+ Icons on the 2nd floor of the SF LGBT Center. To schedule a viewing time, please contact our Associate Director of Cultural Programs, Timothy Hampton, at timothyh@sfcenter.org.
Queer Vibes and Vibin' Live
Queer Vibes and Vibin’ Live are pillar Center arts & culture program that serves as a platform to showcase budding local LGBTQ+ singers, bands, and spoken word artists. The program showcases a new local LGBTQ+ artist monthly through a virtual performance spotlighting their musical artistry.
With each performance, audiences will discover new talent coming right out of the heart and soul of our community!
A History of Community Engagement
1500+ Audience reached each year through art gallery visitors and cultural event attendees
200+ Visual artists displayed since 2002
160+ Public performances since 2002