A century-old post office is getting a new life as an art destination in Palo Alto, and it’s opening with a pretty incredible lineup. Hauser & Wirth Palo Alto will officially open October 3 with “Calder | O’Keeffe,” the first exhibition devoted to the friendship and artistic connection between Alexander Calder and Georgia O’Keeffe. The exhibition brings together their artwork and archival materials documenting their decades-long friendship and was developed in collaboration with the Calder Foundation.
Not only will you get a first look at this groundbreaking exhibition exploring the friendship and artistic affinities between Calder and O’Keeffe at the new Hauser & Wirth Palo Alto, which will be on view from October 3 to January 24, but there’s so much to experience throughout the opening celebration.
The grand opening will turn the surrounding area into a free celebration with live performances, DJs, food trucks like Rincon Del Cielo Taqueria, Bay Area Munchiez and Crazy Empanadas, and for those looking for a sweet treat, complimentary coffee and Salt & Straw ice cream. Stanford Taiko and Cardinal Calypso will perform, while DJs GULU, Tie Dye Trippin and bella d. provide the soundtrack all afternoon.
Inside, visitors can explore the expansive Bookshop, browse art and design titles from Hauser & Wirth Publishers, and pick up the latest issue of Ursula magazine, featuring a cover story on Alexander Calder and Georgia O’Keeffe’s friendship. The program will also include poetry and book readings from Musa Mayer and Clark Coolidge, along with exhibition walkthroughs led by Calder Foundation President Alexander S. C. Rower and scholars from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Stanford.
The gallery itself occupies a century-old post office building in downtown Palo Alto, which has been turned into 2,600 square feet of exhibition space, all while preserving its historic character.
The grand opening runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 3, and the program is free to attend, with reservations recommended. Snag your spot here!
Day-of Festivities
Here’s the full rundown of the day’s festivities:
☕ Free coffee + music
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
🎧 Music by DJ GULU
☕ Complimentary coffee by Fez Concierge
🎨 11:30 a.m. | Exhibition Walkthrough
Calder Foundation President Alexander S. C. Rower on his grandfather, Alexander Calder
🥁 1 – 1:20 p.m. | Stanford Taiko Performance
🎧 1:20 – 3 p.m. | Music
DJ Tie Dye Trippin
🎨 1:30 p.m. | Exhibition Walkthrough
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum’s Dr. Laura Wertheim Joseph & Stanford University’s Alexander Nemerov on Georgia O’Keeffe
🎶 3 – 3:30 p.m. | Cardinal Calypso Performance
🍦 3 – 5 p.m. | Complimentary Salt & Straw Ice Cream*
📖 3:30 p.m. | Book + Poetry Readings
Philip Guston’s daughter Musa Mayer reads from Life With P. & Clark Coolidge reads Guston-inspired poems
🎧 4 – 6 p.m. | Music
DJ bella d.