First Offsite Show for America’s Largest Artists’ Colony
Hunters Point Shipyard Artists Launch Holiday Show in Hayes Valley
On November 23, 2007, the Hunters Point Shipyard artists’ colony will kick off its first annual holiday show at 580 Hayes Street. For the first time in its 30-year history, the Point (as the organization is known) is putting together an offsite show, bringing members of the country’s largest artists’ colony into the heart of the City.
What: “Off the Point” First Annual Holiday Show
Who: 35 members of the Hunters Point artists’ colony, including Lawrence Ferlinghetti, JoeSam, and glassblowers from neighboring Bayview arts group Public Glass
Where: Hayes Valley Market, 580 Hayes Street
When: November 23–December 29, 2007
Opening Reception: Dec. 7, 6–11 pm
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12 pm–7 pm
In September 2007, the studio space at Hunters Point Shipyard was officially written into Lennar Corp.’s redevelopment plans for the area. In celebration of that stunning success, the goal of “Off the Point” is to introduce more San Franciscans to the Point’s unique community of painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, jewelry designers and more. It will also serve to raise awareness of the colony’s history and status as the City works with Lennar Corp. to redevelop the Hunters Point Shipyard. The show will serve as a fundraiser for STAR (Shipyard Trust for the Arts), which plays a major role in the future of the arts in Hunters Point.
“This is a real success story,” says artist and show organizer Zannah Noe. “The artists are at the Shipyard to stay. STAR’s hard work has paid off. Our first annual holiday show will celebrate that achievement, and a way to build community ties by making our artists more widely known.”
Paintings by participating artists Lawrence Ferlinghetti (above), and Zannah Noe (below)
Past, Present and Future of the Point
Prior to decommissioning in 1974, Hunters Point Shipyard was a Navy repair station. In 1976, the Point’s founder, Jacques Terzian, saw the possibility of transforming several of the neglected buildings into “starter studios” for artists. With co-developers Paula Terzian and David Terzian (daughter and son), the Point was soon home to 300 artists.
Today, Hunters Point Shipyard is a vital part of the City’s fine arts community, thanks to the hard work of groups such as the Shipyard Artists Alliance (SYAA) and STAR. Its semiannual Open Studios draw thousands of visitors to Hunters Point every year, and the Point expects to expand its presence with an art center as the Shipyard development progresses. Now that the Point has an assured future at the Shipyard, its artists can focus on building their colony’s community as well as working with the surrounding community.