Staying with a family member in the Mission and exhausted from our previous day's travels, we looked for something interesting to do nearby that we could walk to. Turned out to be a fun, informative couple of hours. What a find!
David Ireland, we learned, made the activities of daily life into art and art pieces. The environment he created to live in, while not for everyone, makes sense and brings the house to life when you learn about his perspective.
The house/museum is lovingly maintained, and our guide was a local artist who took her time even though there were only two of us, sharing lots of insights that added depth and enrichment to what we were exploring.
In an upper floor room, the signature of the artist who created the original wallpaper in 1904, found by David Ireland when he removed the wallpaper and left on the wall, was a particularly charming detail for me.
If your taste runs to the less mainstream, give this gem a try. It's going to be remembered as a highlight of our visit to SF.
They did great job on my 12 photo frames - everybody complement their work. But this particular store even if it's business ours many times nobody is in the store - I had to visit three times then had to contact Valencia store to help me out
Hidden down a long bright alley way is a twisting inclined path. Strewn with art and things, this gallery is small and comfy. An intimate look at a few pieces of changing art.
Museum here is used as a term of art (get it, term of art?). Anyway...
This is really the Clarion Alley Street Art collection which focuses on large pieces of street art which rotate regularly depicting & expressing topical, local issues onto the otherwise exposed walls.
If you are a fan of street art, it is certainly worth the detour to marvel, whether at some of the expressive portraits or colourful murals.
It’s free. You we welcome to bring cameras; again this is outdoor, public and available for everyone. You may risk walking passed it as there are very few signs nudging you in the right direction.
You should allow at least 20-30 minutes. If you do take photos, you may want to come around noon to allow for the best sunlight with light shadows cutting across your shots.
Enjoyed local Mural artists who's art reflected contemporary topics. Felt inspired and spent around 60 minutes walking down the spacious alley . Located conveniently near Bart and Muni and is well Lit and very public. Felt completely safe and child friendly .
DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS SPOT!!!! This is a gem of a place for gifts AND clay classes. Gifts: Plants, hand-made pieces, sweet cards, beautiful art & ceramics. (And a masa man some days!) And clay classes that aren’t hella expensive (a rarity in the Bay!)!
Cypress Alley does not get the traffic that Clarion or Balmy Alleys get, but there are many interesting murals here, and if you are visiting Balmy Alley for the art you should certainly visit Cypress as well, as it is only a few blocks away. There are a lot of fine murals along 24th street between the two alleys as well.
I much prefer Osage alley to Clarion. Osage has more rotating street art rather than the stationary murals of Clarion or Balmy. I like that the alley doesn't always smell like pee.
I would highly recommend this tour. We attended on a Sunday afternoon and our tour guide was Patricia. She has a genuine love for the Mission area and a real care for the community she lives in, this community is facing some real pressures. But she showed how art can create change and strengthen community and her knowledge of the murals was amazing.
Smitten with the beautiful piece of artwork I picked up here, and I was able to meet the artist, JD, who was so sweet. The shop had so many different styles of art, that if you're looking for a gift for someone you'll undoubtedly be able to find a piece that suits them.
The Lilac Alley Murals and Graffiti are beautiful and always changing. Pedicabs are a great way to cover to see a lot of alleys with an intimate group.
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