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49 Geary Art Galleries
Category: Arts & Entertainment Art Galleries Shopping Art Galleries Art Galleries [Edit]
49 Geary St(between Grant Ave & Kearny St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood: Union Square
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
39 reviews for 49 Geary Art Galleries
39 reviews in English
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Review from John P.
Milpitas, CA
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
OMG! I should have found this place sooner. This place has multiple floors of different art and photo galleries and its so wonderful and exciting.
My friend and I were out walking around Union Square when we saw a bunch of people going into this building and we were curious to see what it was that people wanted to see. We got by the door and saw that there was a sign for art galleries and decided to check it out. We went to the first random floor of this building and went in a room to view the first gallery. I was pretty amazed by the work they have done. We kept on hoping from one gallery to the other and everyones work that we saw were awesome, weird, and interesting. Some galleries offered wine and other drinks for free which was fantastic and we got our drink on.
My friend and I spent about an hour at this place and only got to see 2 floors of art galleries and there were many more floors to go. We will definitely come back to check out the other galleries we did not get to see.
Whats pretty crazy is that we looked at some of the prices of different artist's work and their prices were up in the thousands. Well that's what you would expect from independent artist. -
Review from Laurence T.
Emeryville, CA
4/3/2012
4 stars because it is free and easy to move thru.
A lot of different work to see, all at predictably stoooopid price$, but then that's the gallery biz in the city.
Quite a bit of excellent photography (I am a fine art photographer-so I am partial to such) amongst all the galleries (of which there are so many on all 4 upper floors I lost count!).
Don't miss the Children's Antique Book gallery-the woman there is a treasure and really interesting to talk to.
To park, do yourself a favor and do it at a garage on mission st and 5th-it is half the cost of the rip joints around union square.
All in all-a great place to visit whenever you need a culture injection for free. -
Review from Nicole D.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2011
I love coming here on rainy days in the city. You can wander in and out of so many galleries...for free. I have never seen so many galleries under one roof!!
I am really into photography and the Fraenkel Gallery is my favorite in the city.
I'm not going to fluff my post with an experience or point out any artists, it's merely a post to show appreciation and as an idea for things to do in the city. -
Review from Jordan P.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2011
5 floors of art - some good, some not.
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Review from Simon L.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2010
BEST THING IN DOWNTOWN!
I look forward to coming here every time i am in downtown. It is a must! I was introduced to this from my photography teacher in CCSF and i can't thank her enough for it.
I have a goal to come here every month (i've failed many months in a row) and feel cheated when i am away for too long.
I've taken out of town friends and introduced it to my close friends here in San Francisco. I have no worries about them not liking it and get excited everytime i talk about it.
If you have to choose between SFMOMA or DeYoung or any other Art place in san francisco, i would say to come here instead. You will not be dissapointed...I go here when i need inspiration, feel bored, or just when i have some free time. And everytime i come out feeling cultured, sophisticated, and emotionally charged and inspired....Its a quick fix, and best of all, its free, clean, and u can get as close to the art as possible (unlike those damn museums)
The best galleries are the photo galleries IMO....Don't miss the Scott Nichols Gallery, Frankel Gallery, or Stephen Wirtz Gallery. And come on gallery opening reception nights, they have free food and drinks and its lively and fun...but i actually prefer weekdays when its quiet and more comfortable
There is only one negative and it is that its not open every day of the week. I really wish it was open on free parking Sundays -
Review from eyeswoon e.
San Francisco, CA
10/29/2010
The first time I visited 49 Geary I was smitten. Under one roof of a large building, are many of SF's most well-known contemporary art galleries. There are 4 stories (floors 2-5) of independent galleries. Each gallery has their own focus, for example several show only photography. Artists featured range from emerging to internationally established.
Since I could not find an online up-to-date list of the galleries at 49 Geary, several of which have moved in/out the past few years, I compiled one
in my blog, see http://www.madeinslant...
This place is esp fun on the first thu of every month
when they have open house till 7:30pm. There's food (ok.... snacks like chips and oreos) and lots of people
to chat with about art. -
Review from Amanda S.
Palm Springs, CA
11/28/2010 3 Check-ins Here
How exciting. I've never heard/been to 49 and as an obsessor and lover of anything art I'm a bit shocked I've never been here!
4 floors of small independent galleries, housing amazing works of painting, sculpture and photography. All under one roof. Some of my favorite galleries include; Bekris Gallery, Gregory Lind Gallery, Michael Shapiro Photographs, and Jack Fischer Gallery.
I'm so excited to add this to my list of first thursdays!
Everyone there is super nice, knowledgeable and it's a great place to hide from the rain. Go enjoy some art! -
Review from Jim S.
San Francisco, CA
11/1/2007
One of my bestest friends, Tim exhibited his stunning digital video piece (Neon Garden) in one of the gallerys here. It is simply beautiful. I know such creative people it is fu%kin amazing.
I came for his opening and realized 49 Geary does this amazing thing: all the galleries open for a fabulous event every first Thursday! I stumbled in on a hot SF event and I didn't even know it!
Besides my friend, there were many examples of new emerging artist here in various gallery spaces. Of course most of the work is available for purchase.
One tip, skip the over-crowded elevators and take the stairs! You have to work off the free oreo cookies and wine anyway! -
Review from Alissa K.
4/24/2008
Dear MOMA,
I know we should have met in person, or I should have at least called, but this will have to suffice -- I've met someone else.
Granted, my first time with this other person was months and months ago, and I was rather tipsy from the free wine (yes, free wine - you should try that with the next girl!). I forgot how wonderful it was until I experienced it all over again just recently.
True, you are larger, but size isn't everything. Also, you get around a little too much -- kids, oldies, field trips, is there anyone you WON'T let in? I'm just not sure I'd be enough for you.
This new person is all clean lines, open spaces, and sophistication. I want to keep coming... back for more.
I'm sorry it had to end this way. Maybe we could still be friends?
Love,
Alissa -
Review from Michael H.
Hayward, CA
5/4/2008 2 photos
If you're strap for cash but still want to see top quality artwork, look no further.
SF MOMA, De Young, and other museums will typically charge $9 for adult admission. 49 Geary is absolutely free! There are loads of art galleries trying to sell their art work in this 5 story building. Don't worry if you look like a broke-ass student. Most of the galleries are very friendly and willing to answer your questions. The people who run these galleries are mostly art enthusiasts, so they're happy if anyone comes to view the work. Some gallery owners are more likely to speak to older (aka richer) people, but who cares. They know and I know it.
When you first walk in you'll find yourself in a lobby where a building attendant sits at a desk. Simply walk down the lobby to the elevators. There will be a director of galleries with according levels.
If you go on a Friday or Saturday, you might bump into artist's openings. You'll have the opportunity of meeting the artist, get some refreshments, and chit chat. Do your internet research if you're looking for a specific show or type of art work. It's same to assume that everyone has a website. If you don't know of the galleries, you can pick up their postcards and business cards. One of the galleries has an art gallery map for downtown SF.
The selection of art of very wide. Sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, and a varied number of other mediums are shown. Each gallery has their own concentration of styles and subjects. You can really feel each gallery's character. Some feel more exciting than others. There was one that felt really dead, that goes for the artwork too.
I am continually blown away by the world class artwork. Don't expect to be going to a little student art show where there's affordable pricing!
Side Note: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Even though there is an elevator, there's still five floors of galleries. Seating is rare, so come prepared.
__
For art lovers, broke ass dates, and super rich art collectors.Listed in: Bay Area Art Galleries
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Review from Mei C.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Current highlight of one of the galleries - hand sketches by architects. Including a sketch by David Baker. I thought that was pretty nifty. Also one of the oil paintings of a landscape exuded a lot of warmth. The oil painting is fairly hidden though.
The galleries here definitely merit a visit - I saw a lot of pieces to appreciate to a degree. Some pieces appeared to have explored different mediums and visual techniques somewhat and 1-2 photography and paintings expressed something like beauty and substance.
I will drop by again though since this was my first visit and I would like to see what else there might be in future showings. -
Review from Romy I.
Oakland, CA
3/25/2010
The 49 Geary art galleries give San Francisco its culture cred; without it, I don't know where this city would be. It's not a big city though, so I can't hate, but I often miss the culture that I took for granted when I lived in other places the same size.
Blame it on priorities and the car culture and perhaps the internet, because the world is changing and I'm an old fogey who believes that art can save the world even if it's not tied to an online advertising pyramid scheme.
There's a place for old-school art galleries, but I don't think they're the end-all and be-all answers. It's just like print newspapers; you never realize how awful American journalism has become (with many exceptions) until you go somewhere else and realize that most of us are fed journalism lite; easy to digest, easy to spit out, and entirely our fault because we wanted it that way. We're very fortunate that there are good blogs out there!
We need 49 Geary art galleries, because we can't have a world consisting only of Upper Playgrounds. There's gotta be a yin to that yang. 49 Geary is mostly art in the old school way that many of us railed against when we were young, but now that I look at it, I'm so grateful that there are white walled spaces that take art theory seriously. There's certainly nowhere for that in the commercial sphere.
Don't go here on art galleries weekends, it looks like a pain in the A**. You're here to enjoy art. Go during the middle of the week, when the intern is ready to talk to you because she's bored out of her mind. Famous people have had really good conversations with me which I appreciated and did not turn into creepy networking opportunities. Art galleries are nice that way. You can just go during the week and think out loud and people respond without any pressure to "make it."
It's not Los Angeles or New York, but hey! this is as close as we'll get to Basel. That's not to say that there aren't other excellent galleries out there, but this is really where the old school action is at. You can't rebel unless you have an old school... and you'd be surprised at how daring the old school galleries are lately! probably more so than the up and comers!Listed in: It's Art man... I know what I…
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Review from Lenea M.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2006
Yesterday was the first Thursday of the month and galleries were open for show. 49 Geary has about 5 floors of different galleries. A bunch of artist show case there art work. This place reminds me a rave/artist club. Everyone mingelling its such a great place. I totally loved it last night. Most of the artist show photography and I was able to meet some of the artist which was a treat for me.
Its such a great way to view great art all in one building. -
Review from Jeff S.
San Francisco, CA
4/27/2008
Closed on Mondays? Uhh, I should have known this. Oh well.
Great one stop shopping where you can see a variety of work.
Frankel gallery and Steve Wirtz are my favorites here.
First Thursdays are fun, albeit very crowded (and I don't consider "goldfish crackers" hors dourves as some of the galleries do) -
Review from Maile N.
3/4/2010
Because of a work event here tonight, I discovered 49 Geary First Thursday and loved it! Even though it's a bit crowded, walking through all of the many galleries under one roof is an awesome idea! We took the elevator to the top and worked our way down the stairs from floors 5 through 2 (the bottom floor is the lobby only).
My favorites were the Barbara Takenaga beautiful swirly, micro-detailed paintings at the Gregory Lind Gallery and the Stephen Sollins: New Thoughts exhibit at the Brian Gross Fine Art gallery - lots of everyday objects artistically covered with copper and metal.
Loved the flowing white wine at some of the exhibits as we wound around to the different galleries -- what a great night! -
Review from Amanda H.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2010
49 Geary is my favorite spot for First Thursday. There are a ton of galleries all in the same building and although it tends to get crowded, when one galley isn't satisfying your artistic needs, you can move on! My only tip is to avoid the elevators, the stairs are right around the corner.
Next time you are sick of heading to a bar to hang out with friends (and its the first Thursday of the month) head over to 49 Geary and get your fill of wine and new artists. -
Review from Dorothy S.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2007
I absolutely recommend 'First Thursdays" at the 49 Geary galleries!
As you whiz and wind your way through the various floors and gallery while, hopefully, not trampling on people, you will find yourself in a world full of wonderful contemporary art. There are various types to tickle your fancy (i.e., sculpture, digital, photography, painting, video installations, etc.). The gallery owners are all part of the SF Art Dealers Association and have been in the art game for years!
Some of my favorites include Jack Fischer, Stephen Wirtz and Catherine Clark and the Art Exchange but the entire place is teeming with culture, variety and amazing perspectives on old and new genres. You will find yourself immersed and, perhaps, overwhelmed with all of the visual stimulation but you won't regret the visit. For those of you that are not up for the crowds, be sure to visit on a Saturday morning -- extremely quiet and peaceful. You will be able to really enjoy yourself! -
Review from Alice L.
Elk Grove, CA
3/24/2011
this place is a hidden gem of art in the city, literally! its not really out there like many art galleries in SF are & it seems opened on very certain days because whenever I try to go outside of class field trips it tends to be closed.. it's also across the street from a store called agent provocator? or provocative? well anyways, its a sex shop! who would have thought such a nice little art gallery is across the street from such a place, I found it super fascinating & funny. there also always seems to be construction of some sort around this place! I don't think I'd ever know about this place if it wasn't for field trips in high school.
anyways, about the gallery itself! its most artists who aren't really well known or their artwork comes out like once every few years, very selective! one of my favorite galleries, that I can remember off the top of my head, was from an artist who took portraits of models in high end clothing being murdered. trippy right? but they were sooo beautiful. I don't think I've ever been here & seen a gallery I didn't like! definitely my cup of tea :) -
Review from Cynthia B.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2007
Top notch galleries in this building. I went to some cool shows here. Photos of the Beatles, Charles Gatewood, etc., etc.
Classy. -
Review from Gourmet G.
San Francisco, CA
11/22/2005
The former Western Union headquarters houses a dozen galleries featuring artwork to suit every taste, plus a few purveyors of rare books. Drop in on the first Thursday of the month, when all are open late and serve wine and hors d'oeuvres to browsers and buyers alike.
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Review from m A n I k.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2006
My creative juices are generally parched these days. But after every First Thursday, I get all kinds of inspired. I tell myself, "I'm going to bust out my easel and brushes as soon as I get home! Gosh darnit, I can be an artist, too!" Yes, it's one part creative deluge, and three parts self-delusion. But I love it, and I love First Thursdays at 49 Geary for its convenient one-stop gawking of pretty art and people.
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Review from kim n.
7/18/2007
49 Geary is loaded, I'm talking heavy weight contention, of great modern art. Especially photography. In my past life of teaching photo/film this was always a great place to take the students after seeing the MOMA as a transition from large scale exhibitions to more focused ones. Everyone who loves art should see the different levels of historic to contemporary works and the galleries here are prime examples of that.
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Review from charles p fa t.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2008
Man people are out of touch. Can't you see the writing on the wall? Though there are a few exceptions, this complex consistently houses some of the most boring and out of date art in SF. It's like a DInosaur, or an albatross. Plus it's depressing..we're currently in THE biggest boom the art market has ever seen, ever, and i hardly ever see red dots on the walls. I know SF isn't known for it's art collectors, but christ.
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Review from Audrey B.
7/12/2006
Went here for the first time for First Thursdays - what a cool event! On the first Thursday of each month all the galleries open their doors at 5:30 pm and serve wine and you can tour through without having to make an appointment or feel awkward that you're wearing jeans and aren't sufficiently hip and rich or whatever. First Thursdays is cool cause the people watching is as cool as the art, although the day that I went it was packed and sweltering inside. It was also very hard to find alcohol (so I'm taking off a star) - it was at the gallery on the very top floor in the very farthest corner and by the time we got there they were totally out! But the art is cool and ranges from uber-expensive established artists ( think Diane Arbus) to virtually unknown emerging artists. Great art experience.
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Review from violentbloom x.
Los Altos, CA
2/18/2011
Awesome galleries! Don't miss out on the First Thursday openings from 5:30-7:30, it's great fun and you even get to meet some of the artists!
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Review from Sameer D.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
The first thursday art walk, in my opinion is the best time to go. It's fun and a bit social as many of the galleries offer wine. It's fun to do with a group of friends or just a friend. It's the first thursday of every month and starts around 5:30 until 8, I believe. Better to come early than late as the wine runs out!
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Review from o. c.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2007
I have never seen so many soft topped boots in my life...JEBUS
so from my understanding i thought that 49 geary had not hit the radar of the scenesters and the hipsters....why did they come out of the wood work of the mission...oh yea the same reason i did to get loaded for free....moochers
started at tunnel top (i at least have the decency to start my night by paying for my hooch) unlike the indie fucks that brought their tall boys in brown bags to the galleries. now that's class.... BIPPITWATS
i digress....
so ron and i had a few over at tunnel and then mosied down to 49 geary... it was the first time i had been and i was i don't expecting more perhaps... maybe i set my bar a little too high.... but come on, only one gallery had art worth looking at.... it was rad to say the least, but the others not worth it.... well the free hooch was worth it i guess and one gallery was nice enough to at least supply snack.
i was disappointed at what i saw and frankly the joint was overrun with people and their egos (you know how an ego can fill up a room). for the amount of people and mediocre art i would say 49 geary was not all that it is chalked up to be....but i will have to give it a second run through next month because judgey-wazzie was a bear and you can't really hate on a place you have only experienced once... word... and maybe it won't be so uber crowded next month?!? here's hopin' -
Review from Kenneth H.
Richmond, CA
11/28/2009
aside from the douchebag, snobby, prick of an artist who harrassed me for wearing a backpack to a gallery, i enjoyed the many arts. some of them i don't understand and don't care too much about, and others i don't understand but want to know what the artist was thinking.
i'm an artist and i enjoyed the visit.
if i see that dickhead again, i'm going to punch him in the face. -
Review from Melony B.
Pleasanton, CA
4/1/2010 2 Check-ins Here
When I come to sf for first Thursday, this is always where I begin, and often where I stay. I'm so glad the galleries are serving wine again. The economy must be looking up.
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Review from Andrew T.
Sacramento, CA
1/31/2010
As a photography student our classes would always take a trip to San Francisco for s shooting day. the first half would be in golden gate park the second would be union square. and we would always walk to 49 geary. its great because there are three or four photography specific galleries the Frankel gallery and the Nichol gallery. i would recommend this to any photographer who likes the classic photographers . they also have contemporary artists there as well. I always look forward to the new exhibits at 49 geary
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Review from Christie D.
Newark, CA
3/7/2010
I had to visit the galleries for credit in a photography class. The building was easy to find, but not a lot of parking around (being so close to Union Square). I went on a Friday and there was very few people there, which I liked. I was able to go from floor to floor, gallery to gallery, without anyone bugging me. I saw some really great work, and some really... interesting work. If you love art, photography, etc. stop by sometime and check out their latest exhibits.
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Review from Lauren G W.
Oakland, CA
4/5/2010
This place just looks like an office building from the outside, but once you get in, it is like you found hidden art treasure! 4 floor of galleries, architecture and design offices, and rare books dealers means that this is the closest I have ever been to heaven. While all 21 galleries (yes 21. in one building) are commercial, they offer a wide range of artists and styles, and because work sells, the overturn for new stuff is nice and quick. I went here with some friends from out of town, and we were all so pleased with the gallery staffs and the amazing range of work.
Listed in: Culture Vultures
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Review from lisa w.
San Francisco, CA
11/26/2007
i LOVE the 49 geary galleries!!!
my faves are the frankel gallery, the koch gallery and the wirtz gallery.
i go often for first thursdays (every first thursday of the month) in which all the galleries are open late and some serve food. this usually goes hand in hand with opening new exhibits at the galleries.
it's just totally wonderful that the power hitter galleries across genres aren't just mostly in one neighborhood, they're mostly in one building! -
Review from jen d.
11/16/2008
I usually wander through here every few weeks. There are a lot of good galleries to check out and I especially always enjoy the Fraenkel Gallery exhibits. Scott Nichols Gallery currently has a great Horace Bristol photo exhibit up and I happened to be there while his son was giving a talk. Steven Wirtz is also a favorite and has an exhibit by Todd Hido up right now. I highly recommend walking over here and checking out the three floor of galleries. I actually prefer walking through the various galleries to checking out anything at SF moma lately.
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Review from shannon e t.
Seattle, WA
8/19/2008
49 geary is not an adequate substitute for sfmoma, despite that it's free.
i wasn't expecting to see pieces from art history books, but i was expecting heavily conceptual works dealing with today's relevant issues along with a smattering of street and contemporary pop art [i.e. the stuff that juxtapoz is made of]. i was incredibly disappointed.
art is supposed to challenge us, to make us ask questions. most of the gallery curators in 49 geary, however, seem to be more interested in providing outdated artist-made decor. there are exceptions, of course, particularly the tiny "jack fischer gallery", which is like a visual playground for your eyes. the neighbouring space, don soker, also had a particularly thought provoking collection at the time of my visit.
i wouldn't recommend 49 geary to my artist friends seeking inspiration, but might try it again for a first thursday. perhaps having real, live artists present makes the space feel less like a nursing home for art and more like the intellectual gathering ground it should be. -
Review from Dana C.
Palo Alto, CA
7/7/2006
I go before the First Thursday action when all the galleries have their new shows without all the crowds. Nice to see alot of galleries all in one building but last two months, I haven't seen anything that really stands out to me. Sometimes when you see too many, you can't remember any.
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Review from Michele F.
New Haven, CT
11/20/2008
Even before I moved to the Bay Area I had already been to these galleries about three times. So if you haven't been here yet and you enjoy the arts, please go. The building offers a cornucopia of fine contemporary art. Some galleries are better than others, but it is nice to see them all. The galleries are listed in the elevator, but if you just wander the floors you will find all of them. I personally cannot stay in the building for that long, because I am really sensitive to paint fumes. So if you have a similar problem, don't try to see all the galleries at once. Take a break, and get some fresh air in between floors.
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Review from Jill S.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2008
First Thursday is a fun time to go check this place out. Go early to avoid the drunk girls over-imbibing on all the free wine.
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Review from Christopher S.
Santa Barbara, CA
12/30/2008
Great place, home of the Fraenkle, Haines, Koch and Wolf galleries, one of my favorite photo gallery concentrations in SF. There are some other galleries in there that do deserve credit as well, but definitely stop by if you are in town!
