SF Gallery 143 Store Front

I started SF Gallery 143 and opened the store doors in December 2007.

I have been blown away by the art scene out here and want to spread a sense of what is happening in SF to the rest of the World.

The Gallery is a way for me to help support local artists and artisans and bring more exposure to their work. This blog is a start to communicating with others who also have dreams of making it and spreading the word to others who are interested in local design and art. These areas can range from being a dancer, photographer, sculpture, jewelry maker, clothing designer, painter etc. We especially have high interest if the work is focused on being more globally conscious. There are many designers out there using recycled items, or scrap to make their works of art or wearable art.

What I love about San Francisco is that it supports small businesses, you have to travel outside San Francisco to find some mass corporations. I appreciate and feel better about supporting local businesses who can offer their own unique products and services.  According to the Small Business Administration, statistics say 54% of San Francisco employees work for a small business. I want to spread the word of emerging artists and small artisan businesses to those who might not know they exist in this busy city.

Why buy local?

1. Boost your local economy.

2. Learning where and how pieces are made. One-of-a-kind work has a “who, what, when, where, and how” behind it that is full of interest and meaning.

3. Sparing the environment from the fossil fuels it takes to ship products from overseas. As we all know, many fashion and craft items are produced in Asia and South America.

4. Participating in the cultural community of the Bay Area. Bay Area culture is probably one of the reasons you choose to live here.

5. Creating lasting relationships with artists. We are neighbors; many times we have called an artist and found out that they live around the corner from us. Reaching out to the surrounding cultural community is a necessary part of the basic arts support system.

Don’t underestimate “buying local” as a powerful agent for positive change and lasting benefit for your community. Be a local patron of the arts.