Fivepoints Arthouse

This place seems to be out of business, phone number no longer works, should be unlisted from here.

My friends and I booked a panel discussion and bands to celebrate the release of a comic anthology here and it was the perfect space for it. It’s really homey and we were able to get some pretty good sound quality in the back room. Although, there were some questionable illustrations that were left up on walls that were said to be bare for our event. Oh well.

The last exhibit I attended at Fivepoints arthouse is s called Us by Ian Colon. It was this great role playing critique of the art industry. It was brilliant and flawlessly executed. I bring this up when reviewing Fivepoints because an exhibition space is only as good as the shows they put on. Fivepoints put on some very strong shows. I have been there a handful of times and have been entertained and intellectually stimulated by each exhibit.
They also have a downstairs, in which they usually have bands performing, or at least Racer Five on tap. That alone is worth the trip (pick one, the bands or the Racer Five).
Check the address and google map the place as it is a bit hard to find; a one way from a one way.

Call me crazy, but I had no clue how many art galleries were located in-​and-​around SOMA until I participated in the Yerba Buena Gallery Walk this past Saturday. While I had fun doing the entire trek, Fivepoints stood out as one of my favorite stops along the way.
It’s like a little house tucked away down a pretty random street amongst parking lots and large industrial buildings. There are stairs that lead up one story to who knows where, and a basement that serves as both a makeshift bar, and a rehearsal space for bands. I haven’t spent enough time there to see what they do with all of the instruments scattered about, but I assume they have some kind of live music going down occasionally on premise.
The entry level is filled with cool pieces ranging from nifty reclamation projects (like this amazing lamp that I considered swooping up), and random sketches by different artists throughout the city. One made me laugh out loud, as it was this naked guy skiing with his dong flapping in the wind while launching off the lip of a jump. Good stuff.
They have a real homey, community vibe. On Monday nights, they screen free movies, and on Wednesday nights, they have communal art projects where you show up and contribute to a group installation piece. I haven’t been yet, but it looks like a lot of fun! It’s definitely on my radar.
We’re pretty lucky to have cool stuff like this happening around town on a regular basis. It’s places like Fivepoints that really make SF one of the groovier cities in this giant parking lot known as the United States of America.

Pretty random how I ran into this place…
I was at the North Beach Festival, trying to poor beer into my Quizznos cup in a small ally way staning on someones door steps… When a nice man walks by and asks if we would like the latest Vice, my friends clearly know nothing and I was trying to chug my beer so as he walks away I scream YES!!! He comes back and says «I knew you would because people who know what Vice is always want one!»
So that made my day in itself, I have not received a Vice in like a year and a half…
So still trying to not let the police officer about 25 feet away see me, the nice gentle man comes back and invites us into his art gallery. Turns out his name is Jason and with his partners Erik and Jessica (who we did not meet, but sure will soon) they have this really nice arthouse tucked away on Bannam Place in north beach.
The coolest thing is they are all about bringing artist and people who like art together. My favorite piece would have to be a hat made out of cardboard… I look forward to going back on Wednesday to learn how to make them.
This is a great place to check out even to just stop by, say hello and pick up a Vice. Really nice guys. I will report more later!

Fivepoints Arthouse is a breath of fresh air for North Beach, this gallery has had some really well curated shows. The show hanging now is an interesting take on figurative art. Also, you can pick up the latest copy of Vice Magazine and Plastic Antinomy. Check this gallery out soon.