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November 1, 2002 AFFORDABLE ART FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPERS AT CITY ART SAN FRANCISCO - Providing holiday shoppers affordable gift ideas and the opportunity to support local artists, the CITY ART Gallery will display numerous new art work by emerging artists in December. Members of the public are invited to attend an exhibit opening at CITY ART Friday, Dec. 6. The "Affordable Art" opening, held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Valencia Street gallery, will feature the original art of more than 30 emerging, San Francisco artists. At the opening reception, attendees will be able to purchase raffle tickets for $2 per ticket for the chance of winning new art. The winner of the raffle will have the opportunity to choose from a number of different art pieces from a number of different artists exhibiting in December. "Holiday gifts don't have to be dull and boring, and they certainly don't have to be bought from a store, said Katie Gilmartin, CITY ART core member. "Our gallery gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts that are unique, affordable and remembered." CITY ART - a cooperative art gallery - is owned and managed by local artists, operating locally from noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, from its 828 Valencia Street gallery. The gallery's objective is to make artwork accessible to a greater spectrum of society, while at the same time, promote creative awareness and expression in the community. "Too often we overlook the opportunity to purchase gifts for our families and friends that are unique and have creative meaning," Gilmartin said. "Most of the time we rely on gifts manufactured in large volumes in warehouses far away. Purchasing affordable art from local artists will not only make you a unique gift giver, it will provide you the opportunity to support the local art community at a time when it needs your support." Individuals visiting CITY ART will experience a large and diverse art inventory available for sale at a reasonable price. Most of the art sold at CITY ART fall within the $100 to $500 price range. The affordable prices at CITY ART give holiday shoppers and art buyers the ability to purchase not one, but several pieces of art. "CITY ART is financially supported by all of its member artists, as well as a large, diverse and loyal customer base," Gilmartin said. "Not only do artists hang and help sell their art, they have the opportunity to help run the gallery. Another unique aspect of CITY ART is its friendly atmosphere and the lack of pressure felt at other galleries, Gilmartin said. "Because the art cooperative is operated by artists who create the work, holiday shoppers and art collectors have the opportunity to hear from artists - not gallery salespeople - about the piece they might be interested in purchasing," she said. Holiday shoppers can choose from a diverse group of artists exhibiting at CITY ART in December including:
The exhibit will run through Dec. 29. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 9 p.m. CITY ART is located at 828 Valencia Street between 19th and 20th streets and easily accessible by BART and MUNI. Public parking is available two blocks away on 21st Street between Valencia and Mission streets. CITY ART can be reached at 415-970-9900 or through its website at www.cityartgallery.org. |
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