Last weekend marked the official grand opening of the new home to San Francisco gallery staples White Walls and Shooting Gallery. I was able to get a first look at the new space located at 866 Geary Street and catch up with artist Chad Hasegawa and curator Justin Giarla at the grand opening press preview on Friday, February 8th. The gallery is in a 5,000 square foot building that underwent a complete renovation over the last several months. The show opened with young, emerging San Francisco based artists Chad Hasegawa, who’s know for his large scale murals found all over the streets of San Francisco, and artist Charmaine Olivia. Work by two renowned London street artists, Word to Mother and Sickboy, can also be seen in the galleries project spaces dedicated to non-traditional exhibitions.
The grand opening coincided with the ten year anniversary of Justin Giarla’s career as a curator. With a clear dedication to the arts, Giarla has brought four galleries to the city of San Francisco, including White Walls, Shooting Gallery, 941 Geary and Gallery Three. “I’m opening the new building as a gift to the community that has supported me for the last decade. It will attract even bigger international artists to the city and give local artists a more beautiful place to show. I want to make it the gem of San Francisco.” says Giarla.
Jane Kenoyer and Justin Giarla
Jane Kenoyer and Chad Hasegawa
Nearby Mural by Artist Chad Hasegawa
Artwork by Artist Sickboy
Artwork by Artist Word to Mother