Richmond District artist Jay Mercado, known for his donut masterpieces, posted these slices of Americana on his blog recently. They remind me of summer, even though we’re not having one.

Jay’s studio and gallery, Art Mercado, is located on the corner of 10th and California.

Sarah B.

I visited the Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay exhibition again tonight. These are the final few days of the show so if you haven’t seen these masterpieces up close, don’t miss the chance. The de Young has special extended hours this weekend.

During the exhibition, I came upon “Family Reunion” by Frederic Bazille (above), which reminded me a little of the vintage postcard I have of ladies watching the sunset from Adolph Sutro’s terrace above the Cliff House.

Sarah B.

The Impressionist exhibit at the de Young Museum is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still interesting programs taking place in support of it.

This Wednesday night, the Richmond District Branch Library will host “Monet, Pissarro and the Impressionist Movement”, a slide presentation by Marlene Aron that presents over one hundred works of art by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Morisot, Lautrec, Sisley, Degas, Pissarro and Van Gogh—artists who experienced and expressed the world about them, each in their own unique and personal way.

The effect of light on nature. Joyous use of color. Expressive use of line. Dance hall girls, ballet dancers, water lilies, peasants, gardens laborers. They gathered together in studios, cafes, bars and on the streets to talk and argue about art, its meaning, and how and what to paint. Together they shaped the Avant-garde world of Impressionism, and opened the doors to the Modern Art Movement of the 20th Century and beyond.

This free event takes place at the Richmond Branch Library, 351 9th Avenue at 6:30pm. And don’t forget to stop by the de Young to see many of these great works in person at the Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay exhibition, which runs until September 6, 2010.

Sarah B.

Photo by Plomomedia

The San Francisco Arts Commission is sending out an open call to photographers for their upcoming “Night/Light: Bay Area Photographers Take Aim After Dark” exhibition:

We are inviting submissions of works that explore what happens after sunset and before sunrise. Nighttime images of interest will range from landscapes to portraits, from photodocumentary essays to fantastical narratives. We’ll be looking for technical proficiency, creative innovation, and a wide variety of subject matter.

The SFAC jury will select between three and ten images from each selected artist, which will then be displayed at the SFAC’s ground floor Gallery inside City Hall. The exhibition will run from September 16, 2010 until January 14, 2011.

Entries for the Night/Light exhibition must be received by Saturday, August 14 by 6pm, and only digital submissions will be accepted. Visit the exhibiton info page for complete submission guidelines.

The SFAC’s Gallery at City Hall is currently exhibiting “Picturing Power & Potential” until August 27.

If you’re submitting any night/light images representing the Richmond District, be sure to let us know!

Sarah B.

[via SFist]

In keeping with their Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay exhibition, the de Young is hosting a special evening program called “French Kiss: ArtPoint’s Bastille Day Celebration”.

The romance, the art, the joie de vivre! Please your palate with light, French-inspired fare and an array of specialty drinks from our open bar, including some deliciously unique absinthe cocktails. Expand your knowledge of European art and lose all inhibition on the dance floor with music from Bardot A Go Go. French Kiss takes inspiration from many eras throughout the history of France, calling for you to dress festively and prepare to immerse yourself in all things French.

“French Kiss” takes place on Wednesday, July 14 from 7pm until 11pm at the de Young (21 and over only). And thanks to the museum, I have 4 pairs of tickets to give away to RichmondSFBlog readers!

To enter, find the answer to the question below and then send it in using the contact us form:

Q: What is the formal, French name for Bastille Day?

I’ll draw the winners randomly from the correct entries, which are are due by noon on Tuesday, July 6.

The event is put on by ArtPoint, the young professionals’ organization dedicated to promoting an awareness of, interest in, and a long-term commitment to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the de Young and Legion of Honor.

Bonne chance!

Sarah B.

Sutro Baths has long faded into the history books of San Francisco and the Richmond District, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a hot piece of property.

CurbedSF reports that Christie’s recently auctioned off a 79 x 82 inch color lithograph from 1896 for a mere $27,500. The auction house originally estimated it would sell for between $12,000 and $18,000.

With its vivid colors and wonderful detail, this rare color lithograph recalls the energy and excitement that surely pervaded this impressive complex. Grand in promotion as well as scale, the Sutro Baths were advertised by large billboards such as this monumental work, composed of six individually printed pieces, which have been assembled in registration and glued together to form the final work.

So if you’ve got old Richmond District memorabilia in your closet, hang onto it! You may be surprised at its value someday.

Sarah B.

Congratulations to the winners of our “Impressionism at Twilight” giveaway, courtesy of the de Young Museum: Alona D., Kelly O., Steve Z., and Mei L.

I hope you all enjoy the Birth of Impressionism exhibition and the French prix fixe menu in the museum café.

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. If you’re keeping score at home, the correct answers were:

1) The Birth of Impressionism exhibition includes the painting commonly known as “Whister’s Mother”. What is the real name of this famous work?
Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1; Portrait of the Artist’s Mother

2) The Birth of Impressionism exhibition will be replaced in the fall by the second touring exhibition from the Musée d’Orsay. What will that exhibition be called?
Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, and Beyond: Post–Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay

Sarah B.

To honor the first birthday of the renovated Richmond Branch Library, the SF Arts Commission recently installed two new sculptures in front of the building.

Entitled Touching Earth, the two disc shaped sculptures were created by artist Scott Donahue. The pieces are inspired by the transient nature of the Bay Area’s population in that everyone arrived here from elsewhere using different modes of travel. The artist himself initally rode into the Bay Area on a bicycle.

Located on either side of the walkway leading up to the library’s entrance on 9th Avenue, the sculptures are two concrete containers covered with bronze epoxy domes. On top of each dome is a relief map of the Bay Area.

The south side sculpture depicts the historical Bay Area, before there was any Golden Gate or Bay Bridges. Inset in the relief map are various small photos showing how people reached the Bay Area in the past: by foot, horse, ship, train or prairie schooner.

The north side relief sculpture shows a closer, more contemporary view of the Bay with the Richmond Library highlighted in the center. More modern methods of transportation are shown including a jet plane, a bicyclist, a ferry, cars and even the 38 Geary MUNI bus.

The pieces were commissioned as part of the Branch Library Improvement Program. Donahue’s proposal for the pieces was selected through a community-based process back in 2005.

Donahue got into some hot water last year when he was paid $196,000 by Berkeley’s public arts program to create two large statues honoring the history and daily life of the city of Berkeley. At the base of the statues were small medallions showing dogs doing what they do – biting each other, defecating, even having sex with each other.

Apparently in his original proposal to the Berkeley Civic Arts Commission, Donahue’s design didn’t show the tiny canine reliefs. Many Berkeley-ites were not thrilled with the artist’s irreverent, canine commentary on Berkeley life, nor the Commission’s oversight of it. More at FoxNews.com

Special thanks to RichmondSFBlog reader Michele for letting me know about this new art in the neighborhood.

Sarah B.

A closeup of the Richmond Library on the north side sculpture

An example of the photos that are inlaid in the relief sculpture, depicting various modes of transportation

An inlaid photo of the 38 Geary heading west on the north side sculpture