Art Explosion Studios

Great concept of allowing people to see artists’ studios and their works each season. It’s free, and usually there are free snacks and wine. Support your local art!

Liars and thieves run this place — Poorly run, unprofessional, inconsiderate management.
I rented a studio here for a few months and found the management to be terrible and unprofessional. They stole my security deposit from me, after telling me they’d do otherwise, then wouldn’t call me back to discuss their actions. A $ 250 security deposit is a serious expense to a starving artist and I don’t appreciate being lied to about it, nor having my calls dodged.
I was working late in my studio one night when I went to the restroom down the hall. I came back a few minutes later, and my studio door had somehow slammed shut by accident. I had just gone to the restroom quickly and hadn’t taken my purse with me. I realized I was locked out of my studio with the key inside, phone inside, computer inside, and nobody was around. I walked all around the hallways trying to find a phone, or some way to reach management or anyone that could help me. This place has NO staff avail, NO security guards avail, and not even a phone in the hallway to reach an outside source. There is absolutely NO help whatsoever in this situation.
It being nearly midnight, and I not having a phone nor key– the only thing I could do was try to hop over my studio door or break the door lock to get in. After about 30 minutes of trying to hop over it, breaking the lock was the only option, and I got inside.
The next day I went to the studio and fixed the door jam and lock, and made sure the door locked properly, which it did fine. I notified management Mary Lou (sp?) of what happened, and she came down to check on the door. She agreed that the door locked fine, and she also agreed that she would call me if there were any issues with needing to further fix the door upon us moving out of our studio. I told her that I had a friend who was a professional construction worker and he would fix the door for me for free if it needed to be further fixed. Even though it locked fine, I wanted to make sure my security deposit was not in jeopardy. She agreed and I didn’t think anything more of it.
Later down the road upon time to move out, low and behold our $ 250 security deposit was withheld from us, and we weren’t given as much as a courtesy call about it. I contacted management to discuss the situation, and was told– quite nastily– by TERRI, that nobody had told me they would call if the security deposit was going to be withheld, and I must be lying. What kind of thing is that to say? The rude woman than said she would contact Mary Lou and get «her side of the story» and get back to me. I never received a phone call, nor did I ever get in contact with them again, even after leaving numerous messages. I was never given the opportunity to get the doorjam professionally fixed, even though I was told I would be allowed to do so. I was furthermore treated rudely and as if *I* was the liar, although it was quite the opposite. I was never even given a courtesy call to discuss why they would be withholding my money. Furthermore, fixing the door would not have cost the entire $ 250, however they did not bill us for the door, but instead just took the entire deposit and did not give us a receipt for the construction. I consider this a theft of $ 250.00 that was stolen from me, and it is unacceptable.
This place needs to get a clue and I will continue to tell all the artists I know not to rent here, until I am righted and my money is refunded. I should have called the cops on these thieves.

I came here for a opening studio reception. There were a lot of people and the majority artists were there to show off their work. There was a lot of free booze, music, and indoor humidity. Plenty of work to see on all three floors.
It seems like a pretty nice facility. Along with the studio space are some kitchens and bathrooms (in varying cleanliness), yet I’d be interested in what they’re charging. There are a lot of nooks and crannies hiding in this building. It’s kinda creepy if you go into the hidden spots. The variety of artists are made up of painters (majority), photographers, some fashion designers, one illustrator, and even more visual artists. I don’t recall there being any sculpture artwork. A nice way to burn a Friday night.

I’m experiencing Art Explosion Studios Potrero Hill location for a Yoga teacher training and the space is amazing. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, kitchen and bathrooms. The space is impeccable and there is a ton of it!
Really warm vibe, great location, and great space. The studio could definitely be used for a multitude of things, Art showings, parties, and of course, YOGA!