The de Young Museum often hosts iconic artwork and artists in its galleries, from Kehinde Wiley to impressionist paintings. While the museum regularly showcases art from around the globe, this fall, it turned its focus to home by highlighting the work of Bay Area artists.
The de Young Open, an exhibition of local artists, returned for 2023 after its successful debut in 2020. An exhibit like The de Young Open can’t be found in any other major American museum due to it being an open-call show. The exhibition was curated by a jury of fine art curators and local artists, and it received an impressive 7,776 submissions during the submission period. A total of 887 works were selected by the jury.
The result is a truly impressive exhibition. The walls are packed floor to ceiling with artwork. From small paintings to sprawling pieces of canvas, the artworks fit together like puzzle pieces. Some pieces are instantly recognizable as SF landscapes, while others foray into various subject matters. The exhibition is unique in that there is no set theme; what connects all the works is that they were made by Bay Area artists.
The exhibition is coming to a close after its run this fall, and this weekend is your last chance to visit. We highly recommend checking it out, especially if you love to explore local art and want to dive into the SF art scene.
Art during COVID
The de Young Open came out of the Pandemic– the iconic museum wanted to find a way to support local artists during the difficult times; “We wanted to bolster the creative community in the Bay Area and provide economic opportunities for artists during a very challenging time.” remarked Thomas P. Campbell, Director, and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The exhibition was a hit, receiving 12,000 submissions and overwhelming community support.
Artwork from various mediums was accepted, including painting, drawing, digital, film, video fiber, print, and sculpture. The artwork will be displayed in the Museum’s Herbst Exhibition Galleries and organized thematically. The artworks are for sale, and artists keep 100% of the proceeds if their work is sold.
The de Young is an esteemed museum in San Francisco that features work from the 17th through 21st centuries and has featured art from around the world. The de Young Open is closing on January 7, 2024, so this is your last chance to see the incredible exhibition. The exhibition will be free to visitors on Saturdays when the museum offers free entry.