WAVE Collective is a space dedicated to emerging artists, whether featuring work in their gallery or hosting classes, workshops, and events for budding artists and seasoned professionals. Located in the Lower Haight, the space initially started as a popup that became a permanent installation.
The founders started WAVE Collective in September of 2022 with a vision to create a space that helps new local artists break into the ever-elusive art world. Co-founders, Jamila Keba and Jenna Melnyk, are both artists themselves, running the WAVE Collective, in addition to their day jobs.
Upcoming events at WAVE Collective
The collective offers classes and social events, such as happy hours, and educational workshops. Events are often open to the public, including monthly comedy shows and ceramics socials to introduce people to working with ceramics. Many events are free, and ticketed events are priced on a sliding scale honor system due to annual income. There is no particular theme to gatherings, as long as its creative and fun. For example, the space has a colorful pasta workshop and a poetry reading coming July 2023. Events are open to anyone who wants to flex their creative muscles, even if you’ve never picked up a paint brush or stepped foot in an art studio before.
Upcoming shows include the Counter Photo Collective, who are guest-curating a show for July. The Counter Photo Collective shares a similar mission with the WAVE Collective: to help create a network for artists typically under-represented in the art world.
How to get involved
The WAVE Collective boasts a gallery full of local artists, and the founders envision building a community that welcomes art enthusiasts and helps support new creatives. The gallery only takes a 23% commission on any work sold, much less than traditional galleries. An upcoming group show in August and September is an opportunity for members to submit their art to be featured in the gallery.
Memberships are $10 each month and allow you to apply for art shows, sell your work at art fairs, host classes, and receive discounts on purchases. If you want to join the space, but the monthly membership isn’t within your budget, WAVE has a work trade program where you can work a single 4 hour shift each week to subsidize the membership cost.
If you want to check out the art on display, WAVE Collective is open Wednesday through Friday from 1 pm to 6 pm or by appointment at 440 Haight St. Plus, Check out their events calender to learn more about upcoming events.