{"id":4033,"date":"2025-04-17T18:30:45","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T18:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/2025\/04\/17\/observer-arts-interviews-sf-art-fair-director-kelly-freeman\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T18:30:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T18:30:55","slug":"observer-arts-interviews-sf-art-fair-director-kelly-freeman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationalgunowner.org\/index.php\/2025\/04\/17\/observer-arts-interviews-sf-art-fair-director-kelly-freeman\/","title":{"rendered":"Observer Arts Interviews: SF Art Fair Director Kelly Freeman"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kelly Freeman is cautiously optimistic about where the art market is headed. Photo: Genevieve Garruppo<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This week marks the opening of the 13th edition of the San Francisco Art Fair. Formerly known as ArtMRKT San Francisco, the fair has helped pioneer the city\u2019s burgeoning art market. These days, San Francisco is trying to win back the tech elite who left during the pandemic, with the mayor pitching the city\u2019s culture as a reason to return<\/a> just this week. We sat down with director Kelly Freeman<\/a> to hear more about the fair and the city\u2019s cultural life.<\/p>\n

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The art market is in a curious place right now! How do you feel going into this fair?<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019m cautiously optimistic, which if you know me, shouldn\u2019t come as much of a shock. In my opinion, San Francisco Art Fair exemplifies the art world\u2019s ability to adapt and thrive alongside an ever-shifting global market. The current economic unpredictability can create opportunity: for discovery, for new relationships and for reinforcing the strength of the Bay Area arts ecosystem. We\u2019re going into this year feeling energized. The fair is doubling down on the Bay, and with eighty-eight exhibitors and forty-five cultural partners, it\u2019s a moment to showcase just how resilient and innovative this community is.<\/p>\n

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The Bay Area\u2019s premier art fair returns to Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture on April 17. Drew Bird Photography, courtesy of Art Market Productions<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s the San Francisco art market like in general? Could you compare it to Los Angeles or New York? What sorts of folks in San Francisco like to buy in San Francisco?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

San Francisco\u2019s market feels deeply community-oriented. The Bay tends to attract curious, engaged collectors who want to support artists reflecting the region\u2019s values\u2014whether that\u2019s social impact, environmental awareness or experimental practices. The focus isn\u2019t solely on price points\u2014it\u2019s about accessibility, cultural depth and a commitment to supporting a diverse range of mediums and artists who mirror the Bay\u2019s unique character.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

This marks the 13th edition of the fair. What have you learned about doing this fair in that time?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Over the past 13 editions, one key lesson has been the importance of staying in lockstep with San Francisco\u2019s evolution. The fair has grown alongside the city\u2019s artistic shifts\u2014from galleries moving into historically underserved neighborhoods to welcoming new, innovative exhibitors. We\u2019ve learned that fostering an environment where established and emerging voices can interact creates a truly dynamic experience. It\u2019s a testament to our commitment to being more than a showcase\u2014it\u2019s a community hub that continuously reinvents itself to reflect the city\u2019s vibrancy.<\/p>\n

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San Francisco is trying to lure back the tech elite who left during the pandemic, and art is one of the draws. Drew Bird Photography, courtesy of Art Market Productions<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This year\u2019s fair focuses on East Bay creativity, with a section curated by Brock Brake<\/a> of pt.2 Gallery. Can you tell me more about that section and East Bay creativity more broadly?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The East Bay has always been a powerhouse of community-driven creativity. Within Brock Brake\u2019s curation of this year\u2019s special section, he\u2019s shining a much-deserved spotlight on artists like Alicia McCarthy<\/a> and Ryan Whelan<\/a>\u2014voices that reflect the authenticity and collaborative energy of Oakland and beyond. We\u2019re also thrilled to collaborate with institutions like NIAD and the Berkeley Art Museum to show how vital East Bay\u2019s contributions are to the broader Bay Area arts ecosystem.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure it\u2019s hard to pick, but what are some of this year\u2019s standout booth presentations that visitors should be sure not to miss?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u00a0is<\/i>\u00a0hard to pick, but I want to spotlight a few standout presentations, especially from our first-time exhibitors. Jessica Silverman<\/a>\u2019s booth features Clare Rojas<\/a> and Chelsea Ryoko Wong<\/a>\u2014two artists whose practices are deeply rooted in the Bay. Speaking of the East Bay, Wong currently has a beautiful exhibition on view at the Oakland Museum. Also not to miss: Anthony Meier<\/a>\u2019s presentation of Saif Azzuz<\/a> and Jesse Schlesinger<\/a> and Micki Meng<\/a>\u2019s moving project of fifty canvases created by artists, activists and environmentalists in support of land protection. She confirmed contributions from Chris Bedford<\/a>, director of SFMOMA; Bob Fisher<\/a>, board chair of SFMOMA; and Ali Gass<\/a>, director of ICA San Francisco\u2014all of whom are participating with works.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0SEE ALSO: MASP\u2019s Expansion Opens the Floor to Curatorial Experimentation\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Relatedly, this edition\u2019s programming feels very strong. \u201cMotherhood & Art\u201d sounds like a fascinating panel. What are some other highlights from the programming aspect of the fair?\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The \u201cMotherhood & Art\u201d panel is one of my favorite conversations we\u2019re hosting this year. It highlights artists navigating the dual identities of motherhood and making. We\u2019ve partnered with Katie Hintz-Zambrano<\/a>, founder of\u00a0Mother Magazine<\/i>, to moderate the panel\u2014she has long championed the creative work of mothers. It\u2019s the kind of discussion we\u2019re proud to present: personal, urgent and too often overlooked.<\/p>\n

Beyond that, we\u2019re exploring other timely and thought-provoking topics\u2014like how artificial intelligence is transforming the artist\u2019s studio, collecting Black art and how institutions focused on historically excluded groups are responding to the current political moment. Together, our programming reflects a commitment to presenting not just artwork but also the critical conversations shaping its future.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

What might people be surprised to learn about the San Francisco art scene?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

That it\u2019s not just surviving\u2014it\u2019s thriving. There\u2019s this narrative that San Francisco has lost its creative edge, but when you spend time in the city, you\u2019ll see that it couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Artists here are innovating, collectors are showing up and institutions\u2014large and small\u2014are pushing boundaries. It\u2019s a dynamic, inclusive ecosystem where art is accessible and reflects the region\u2019s cultural tapestry. The fair becomes a true celebration of that vitality, nurturing local talent and sparking new conversations.<\/p>\n

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