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Exhibitions > Past Exhibitions Introduction Past Exhibitions at the Library - 2009 |
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Jewett Gallery and Skylight Gallery
*Five Years of All Over Coffee - The San Francisco Public Library presents Five Years of All Over Coffee, an exhibition of work by San Francisco based artist and writer, Paul Madonna.
Celebrating half a decade of All Over Coffee in the San Francisco Chronicle, this exhibition will feature original pen and ink drawings as well as displays of how the artistic process has evolved from sketches and first drafts of written copy to finished drawings and final verse. A special video of Paul Madonna at work in his studio courtesy of KQED will be on view in the exhibition.
For information about the video please visit: http://www.kqed.org/arts/programs/spark/profile.jsp?essid=5800 
*House of Nat: Fashion Tips from the Schmulowitz Collection of Wit and Humor - The world of fashion history as interpreted by the House of Nat, featuring lingerie and unmentionables, unsightly menswear, burlesque fashion, influential cartoon fashion, Phyllis Diller fashion, and hats galore. Materials are drawn from the Schmulowitz Collection; with artifacts drawn from the San Francisco History Center. Presented by the Book Arts & Special Collections Center. 
*Dishing It Out: Career Waitresses Across the U. S. A. - Documents the women who race to our tables, quarrel with the cooks and bring humor to the American roadside dining experience. This exhibition focuses on a subculture of women who have been thriving in restaurants and dishing out everything from eggs to insults for decades – the most veteran of
them has been waitressing for 60 years! Visual artist and photographer Candacy Taylor began researching career waitresses in the U. S. in 2001, and traveled more than 8,000 miles to find these inspiring women and to document their stories through interviews and photographs. This exhibition has been organized by SUBJECT MATTERS Traveling Exhibitions in cooperation with photographer Candacy Taylor.
*Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man For All Times - This national traveling exhibition examines Abraham Lincoln’s life, accomplishments and legacy. Lincoln’s path from a self-educated, rough-hewn lawyer with virtually no administrative experience, to the president who guided a divided nation through the crises of slavery, secession and Civil War, is depicted in the exhibition.
The exhibition also demonstrates how Lincoln transcended his era and left a constitutional legacy for all Americans. To accompany this exhibition, the Library is displaying a selection of materials from its own collections, representing Lincoln’s life, career and legacy, as well as other significant persons and events of the Civil War era. The diverse range of materials includes an 1852 edition of Uncle Tom’s Cabin,
Carleton Watkins’ photographs of Lincoln obsequies in San Francisco, and a lithograph commemorating California’s ratification of the 13th Amendment. The influence of the Civil War on California and, specifically, San Francisco, is also spotlighted, with the activities of Thomas Starr King. More contemporary items focus on the visible reminders in San Francisco of our 16th President.
Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, A Man for All Times is a national traveling exhibition organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The traveling exhibition has been made possible in part through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, dedicated to expanding American understanding of human experience and cultural heritage.
Other Exhibition Areas in the Library
*Morrie Turner, Creator of Wee Pals Cartoon: A 45-Year Retrospective - Afro Solo Arts Group presents a look at the work and life of Morrie Turner, who created Wee Pals, the first nationally
syndicated racially-integrated comic strip. Part of Afro Solo Arts Festival 16.
*Sky Train: Tibetan Women on the Edge of History - – In commemoration of the 50th year of Tibetan exile, a photo exhibit of images from Sky Train: Tibetan Women on the Edge of History, including rare archival private photos loaned to the author. 
*Healthy Neighborhood, Healthy Lives: Photovoice Exhibition - The exhibition showcases photographs and perceptions about health by Filipino youths from the South of Market. 
Ten Years of Literary Mayhem - In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of San Francisco’s Litquake Literary Festival, this exhibit traces the growth of the decade-long celebration from its beginnings as a one-day event in Golden Gate Park through its current incarnation as a Bay-bridging, 10-day literary extravaganza. Display includes archival posters, programs, photographs and other Litquake memorabilia. 
A Trip to the Fair, 1939: The Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco - This exhibit marking the 70th anniversary of the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island features original souvenirs, art work, photographs and ephemera from the collections of the San Francisco History Center. 
Finding Home - Examines the stories of elder lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents who came to San Francisco in search of home. Through photographs and stories this exhibit documents what it means to age in the LGBT city they helped to forge as a safe haven. Exhibit sponsored by openhouse. 
The Men Along the Shore and The Legacy of 1934
Words with a View
Regarding Here by Claire Bain - A mural artist for 15 years, her paintings are based on her site-specific mural called Regarding Here in San Francisco's Mission district. The mural reflects the relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous plant and animal species, using imagery of the surrounding urban built space as a visual
foundation. It was painted over existing large graffiti bubble letters, which Ms. Bain simply incorporated into the mural. The theme of the mural is primarily the native anise swallowtail butterfly and its dependence on fennel, an invasive culinary plant from Europe. The materials Ms. Bain used include acrylic mural paint, mica flakes and reflective glass beads. 
Past, Present and Looking Forward: Africa – The Library’s African American Center, in association with Paths of Native Africa, present an exhibit of photographs and artifacts that explore the culture and daily life in central Mali and southeastern Nigeria of western Africa 
Out at the Library: Celebrating the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center - A panel exhibition that celebrates the founding of the library’s James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center by highlighting its collection and offering a rare look into what an archive is
and how it ensures the legacy of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. 
*Dressed As Girl: Photographs from San Francisco Clubs by Christopher Boyd 
Shelfless - An exhibition by emerging artists, architects and designers from The California College of the Arts. In the spirit of the 17th Century cabinets of curiosity, the participating artists and designers have undertaken journeys of exploration in the diverse collections housed in the SFPL. They have spent the last month delving into the collections in the S.F. History Center, Rare Books, Music, and Periodicals, to name a few. What they have found has inspired them to create new works in response to their discoveries. The participating artists and designers work in diverse media and approach their subjects from a variety of viewpoints, creating an exhibition that is as complex and engaging as the collections that inspired it.
*Envisioning Taiwan with Films and Photos - The San Francisco Public Library, in conjunction with Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, invite you to explore the social and technological evolution of contemporary Taiwan. The program opens
with a photo exhibition by Tsai Wen-hsyang and Ga Photo Group from Taiwan. The collection captures the integration of technology in every aspect of island life, making the once agrarian society into a truly digital nation.
*A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn - Explore highlights from the life of Strayhorn through photographs, books and published music. This exhibition coincides with the Hormel Center/African American Center/MoAD sponsored performance, “The Billy Strayhorn Session: in Tribute to Musical Genius and Political Change” and the MoAD exhibition, “Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits.”
White Gloves & Wolves Den: The Culture of Shopping in San Francisco Drawn from the San Francisco History Center, this exhibition highlights the I. Magnin, City of Paris, Square & Circle Club Collections, and the
Junior League Archives, with additional selections from the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection, supplemented by period ephemera, including shopping bags, brochures, advertisements, and fashion illustrations.
Striking Silhouettes: Highs and lows from the history of Haute Couture and Cut the Couture— I'll Do It Myself: A sampling of fun and fashionable How-To books for discovering your own style. Exhibitions presented by the Art, Music, and Recreation Center, 
FBI Turns 100 - In July of 1908, Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte responded to legislation prohibiting the Department of
Justice from continuing their long-standing practice of borrowing Treasury Department agents for their investigations by creating a
small investigative bureau within the Department of Justice. Over the next century, this 34-agent investigative force would grow
into the FBI (with 30,000 employees in 2008). In honor of the FBI's 100th birthday, the Government Information Center has
selected some items documents from our collection and the San Francisco Historical Photo Collection that show this evolving
government agency at work.
Celebrating the Mastery of Polish Classical Music - Musical notes and melodic lyrics resonate within us as we listen to the piano compositions of Frederyk Chopin and the operatic productions of Stanisla Moniuszko. Patriots both, their intricate masterpieces urge us to learn more about their homeland’s turbulent long history and its rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit: www. polishculturesf.org/ 
Erastus “Deaf” Smith: 
“The way I see it” - Works by Vallejo Artist Jason Austin, displaying his perspective on themes such as love, music, politics and family, with mediums ranging from pen and ink drawings to acrylic portraits.
“The way I see it” features a selection of works done in various styles to express his particular take on each theme. 
Under A Full Moon: 30 Years of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - Through artifacts, records, press releases, photographs, habits and other objects, this exhibition will tell the story of how it came to be that on Holy Saturday 1979, an order of queer nuns was conceived. On view will be the promotional relics of a number of the Sisters’ memorable
events such as themed Bingo nights and the annual Easter event in Dolores Park, along with a glimpse into the group’s organizational structure through its bylaws and the Pink Saturday Handbook. Visitors also will be able to read the resumes and vows taken by individual sisters. Join us as The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present 30 Years of Sistory.
River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest - An exhibition of original artwork from Bay Area winners and finalists of the annual river of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest. 
*Louis Braille Centennial Exhibit – Celebrating 200 Years of Braille - Born on January 4, 1809, a French boy named Louis Braille created a means of literacy for blind people when he was only 15 years old.
Communities around the world are honoring Braille's 200th birthday and his invention. San Francisco Public Library will celebrate by hosting a traveling exhibit from
the National Braille Press. Stunning images along with print and braille text introduce the highlights of Louis' life, show the braille production process, and explain why braille remains important in a modern world where technology often replaces paper as a medium for communication.
The African American Concert Singer 1900-1960 - The history of African Americans in the vocal arts in the world of classical music and opera has a long and rich tradition. Yet, it is a history that has too often been a footnote in the larger text on concert and opera singers in the 20th Century. During this most historic Black History Month of 2009,
the library pays homage to the careers of many well known and forgotten singers through the medium of rare advertising, concert programs, posters and historic recordings. Highlights include rare San Francisco Bay Area and West Coast memorabilia of pioneering singers Roland Hayes, Marian Anderson, Dorothy Maynor, Paul Robeson, William Warfield and Leontyne Price. Also showcased
are the less well known names/careers: Carol Brice, Kenneth Spencer, Lawrence Winters, Camilla Williams and Adele Addison. 
Colour Amour: A Tribute to the Palette - An exhibition celebrating the history, science and art of color. Featuring highlights from the library’s collection as well as objects d’art and other visual treats. 
A Traveler's Sketchbook: The Picture Book Art of Leuyen Pham - Local artist/illustrator Leuyen Pham states “I've done extensive travel, and my sketchbook drawings have somehow always found their way into my picture book work.” The display will feature a few travel sketch books and show originals from the many picture books that have
been inspired by them in some way. Also included will be photos from her travels, as well as collectibles and things she has brought back. 
The San Francisco Black Panther Party - An exhibit of photos, newspapers and memorabilia that explore the personal and historical significance of the San Francisco Black Panther Party that came into existence in 1968 in the Fillmore district. Presented in association with
It’s About time Committee: Black Panther Party Legacy and Alumni 
Visual Aid Presents Hedgehog Boy: A Graphic Novel - San Francisco artist Rene Capone creates a world where boys become avatars--taking on
the characteristics of animals and transforming their identities both physically and spiritually. In this exhibition of pen and ink illustrations for his first graphic novel,
The Legend of Hedgehog Boy, Capone appropriates and humorously references traditional Japanese comics. Dynamically integrating image and text, Capone tells a story of an abused
child who rejects the role of victim and enters an alternate reality where he sets off on a dangerous adventure of revenge, self discovery and ultimately, love and redemption. 
Andrew Jackson Foster: The Father of Deaf Education in Africa - This display is in celebration of Black Deaf History Month. The late Andrew J. Foster (1925-1987) established over thirty schools for the deaf in Africa. This creation of the life-size Andrew J. Foster wax figure was a collaborative effort between DeafWax Studio and Farnan Studios located in San Francisco.
Scraps & Imagination - Elisa Kleven’s Mixed Media Picture Book Art 
My Days and Dreams: The Worlds of Edward Carpenter, Early Gay Freedom Pioneer - A display of books, pamphlets, and photographs that explore the world of Edward Carpenter. |
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