BEDFORD GALLERY IN WALNUT CREEK PRESENTS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION’S ART ON MARKET STREET KIOSK POSTER PROGRAM
On view September 24 through November 22, 2009

Walnut Creek, CA, June 22, 2009 – Since 1992, the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) has commissioned original artwork by Bay Area artists for temporary display as posters in 24 of the triangular advertising kiosks located along the sidewalks on Market Street between Van Ness and the Embarcadero.  The Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Program provides round-the-clock access to contemporary art for thousands of pedestrians, many of whom may not frequent traditional art venues. The Bedford Gallery exhibition profiles this successful and model public art project by featuring thirty of the original 6×4 foot posters. For the first time ever, a selection of past posters will be shown as a group, inside a gallery.

Bedford Gallery Curator Carrie Lederer worked collaboratively with the Art on Market Street Project Manager Judy Moran to organize the exhibition. Lederer points out, “this exhibition has significance in the field of public art, as a retrospective look at an ongoing project. Few of us ever have the chance to enjoy the whole series while it’s up on Market Street. This will allow viewers to take in the complete picture. The caliber of this project is an example for Arts Commissions everywhere—an idea worth aspiring to.”

Artists, who create their poster designs in a range of media, have included such well known names as: Seyed Alavi, Katherine Aoki, Mildred Howard, Amanda Hughen, Jason Jagel, Packard Jennings, Abner Nolan, Owen Smith, Megan Wilson and Jenifer Wofford.  Each commissioned artist or artist team creates a series of six poster designs based on a single theme that are reproduced into posters for a three month exhibition.  Recently, the Art on Market Street Kiosk Program has had an annual theme, such as “Bay Area Urban Systems” or “San Francisco Stories”, and each series now includes an auxiliary public program.

According to Luis R. Cancel, director of cultural affairs for San Francisco, “The Arts Commission has enjoyed making art a part of daily life for San Francisco residents, workers, shoppers and visitors through the Art on Market Street Program. With each dynamic exhibition of posters by Bay Area artists, the street becomes a destination rather than just a thoroughfare and the pedestrian experience is enlivened by endlessly imaginative interpretations of urban life in San Francisco. We are delighted to partner with Bedford Gallery to share these wonderful posters with new audiences.”

Exhibition Artists
Amy Claire Trachtenberg
Jon Rubin
Mark Brest van Kempen
Margaret Kilgallen
Maya Hayuk
Kara Maria
Katherine Aoki
Jason Jagel
Megan Wilson
Mildred Howard
René Garcia & John Leaños
Abner Nolan
Amanda Hughen &
Jennifer Starkweather
Helena Keeffe
Margaret Kilgallen
Packard Jennings &
Steve Lambert
Owen Smith
Jenifer K Wofford
Briana Miller & Thien Pham

BEDFORD gallery: Highlights from the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Program

WHERE: Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

WHEN: September 24 through November 22, 2009

EVENTS: Bg Craft Fest: Saturday, November 14, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
An extravaganza of handmade items perfect for gift-giving! FREE entry includes gallery admission.

INFO: Telephone: 925/295-1417    Website:  www.bedfordgallery.org

ADMISSION: General $5; Youth (17 and under) $3; Children 12 and under, free; First Tuesdays free; Free for LCA members and ticket holders to events in the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) on ticketed date.

HOURS: Tuesday—Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 6:00–8:00 p.m. and other evenings when there are theater productions in the LCA. The Gallery is closed on Mondays.