My name is Dani Toriumi; I am a junior studio art major and journalism minor here at Mills. Along with being a Design Editor with The Campanil, I am also the publicity chair of the Mills College Arts Association and we are constantly on the look out for excellent local shows that we can take our members to. Below are just a few of my personal, favorite shows and exhibition spaces, and I highly recommend you visit them:
Mills Art Museum College
Location:
5000 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94613
Hours: M-F 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Exhibition: Root Connection: 20 Years of The Patti Smith Collection
Duration: Sep 14, 2016 – Dec 11, 2016
About: This exhibition showcases a varied collection featuring many works never exhibited to the public. There is an expansive display of photographs (both of and by Smith), publications, recordings and ephemera that highlight the talented musician and artist, Patti Smith.
Why it’s a must see: As a lover of all things art and all things music, I was swept off my feet just by the sheer size of the collection on display, not to mention the variety and execution of the show. For these reasons, this exhibition has definitely moved to the top of my list of favorite exhibitions in the Mills College Art Museum.
Pier 24 Photography
Location:
Pier 24, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
Hours: Open only by appointment
M-F 9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Admission: Free
Exhibition: Collected
Duration: May 2, 2016 – Jan 31, 2017
About: Collected is the eighth exhibition at Pier 24 Photography with photographs from the Pilara Foundation and other Bay Area collections. The exhibition showcases and explores nine various collecting approaches, with some collectors focusing on specific artists or on particular points of importance in art history, while others developed their own criteria. To name a few, works by Hiroshi Sugimoto, Richard Learoyd and William Eggleston can be seen on display along with work by countless other recognized photographers.
Why it’s a must see: During this show I had many moments of: “I never thought I would have the opportunity to see this in person!” If you are as passionate about photography as I am, this show is well worth the trip into the city. I was particularly moved by the collection of Richard Learoyd photographs. For those who may not know, Learoyd’s work is specifically breathtaking due to his use of his giant camera. To learn more about Learoyd’s work check out SFMOMA’s video feature.
Honorable Mention
Minnesota Street Project
Location:
1275 Minnesota St
San Francisco, CA 94107
Hours:
See Minnesota Street Project for gallery hours
Admission: Free
Duration: All Year
About: Located in San Francisco’s historic Dogpatch district, Minnesota Street Project, in the hopes to strengthen San Francisco’s contemporary art community, presents affordable and economically sustainable spaces for artists, galleries and related nonprofits.
Why it’s a must see: With such an immense variety of galleries and artists under one roof in such an up and coming district for the San Francisco art community, the space has already exhibited work by a number of fairly notable artists. Minnesota Street Project, while in a constant state of transformation, is worth a visit or two, because of the space’s almost monthly turnaround of shows and exhibitions.
