Gen Art San Francisco

My bestie was a member for years (she reviewed it too, see if you can find it). I loved going with her to movie screenings and fashion shows. So with the 20% off email for 2010 enrollments, I became a general member. It was around 70 — which would include about 8 free events (with 2 tix per event). that’s $ 10 per event. You can’t get any cheaper than that.
Already, we saw a sneak preview of «Youth in Revolt» which we would have paid to see anyway. While it kind of stinks that most events are on work nights, it’s also a great way to add fun to your work week. Go out, do dinner and a movie in the City, you crazy thing!
I am not expecting Gen Art to change my life, just to add some fun artsy things to it. Bring it on Gen Art.

I am feeling let down by Gen Art. I bought an upper-​level membership (Associate Producer) a year and a half ago, largely because of the freebies they were throwing in for paying more. It seemed like a good deal, coupled with the events they had been hosting, but a lot of those freebies didn’t come through (blamed on a recently fired employee) and others weren’t honored by the vendors (free bottle service at a local lounge), and the events seemed to drop off, and the films they were screening degraded. They also offered entry to other events and then didn’t bother to submit the guest list, causing us to be turned away from a Halloween party.
I let my membership lapse, but kept an eye on the newsletters, planning to renew when decent events started to reappear, but they haven’t. Gen Art in concept is a great organization and seems to have a lot going on in other cities, but in SF it’s a total dud. I haven’t given up, but I have yet to see any reason to join up again.

I am a big fan of GenArt in general due to the great work they due to help support and give exposure to up and coming artists, musicians, filmmakers, and designers. I’ve been a member for several years, primarily in New York but also have attended events in LA, Chicago, and Miami, all of which are great fun and very enjoyable.
However, since I’ve moved to San Francisco, I’ve noticed that the events here are not as frequent or of the same type as in other cities, which makes the membership less of a value. GenArt San Francisco seems to have about one event per month, compared to 2 or 3 in New York, and the events are often with partners where the quality of the event is not the same.
They also seem to have some logistical trouble with events, for example pairing a movie screening with a reception at a bar two miles away, or holding another post-​screening reception at a lounge that was very cute, but way too small for the amount of people that showed up. At a fashion show in the fall, the «VIP» reception only had one bartender for probably 200 people, which was of course not very VIP-​feeling at all. All of these glitches are understandable in isolation, but seem to be more par for the course than an exception.
I’ve also emailed the staff with questions a couple of times and not received any response — not very good service to high level members. I think the staff may be overtapped (I imagine there are probably only one or two full time staff in SF) but still.
Unfortunately all of the above seriously gives me pause about renewing, even though I really love the organization, events, and the overall idea of what they’re doing.

I went to the ShopSF that was at Terra yesterday and I would have to say that it was well worth the $ 10 admission fee. I would have gotten a drink at the open bar but I don’t like to get tipsy around clothes and accessories. I might spill! I enjoy supporting emerging designers and I ended up getting a really hot leather jacket from Gypsies and Lords and a great handbag. The pieces were more unique than what you can find at Saks nowadays, and way cheaper. Who likes to spend $ 100 for a t-​shirt?
So needless to say, I’ll be signed up for the next ShopSF.

Fresh Faces in Fashion, SHOP, Emerge, Ignite, Sound Circle, oh myyy.
Awesome designers, artists, musicians, and movies (in some of the coolest bars and venues)?
and open bar?
soooooo down.
Gen Art SF, I miss you. I had the best time with you at your fab 80ft runway shows, pre-​viewing movies before all my friends, listening to upcoming bands, and viewing some of the best Bay Area art. and drinking from your open bars (I’m only human).
(Ps. I’m sorry we had to break up, it’s me, not you.)
Full disclosure: I used to intern there. So natch, I think it’s wonderful. Exposing emerging artists in San Francisco, how could you not love it? Do you hate puppies too?

Gen Art SF– is a wonderful organization introducing local emerging artists, designers, and musicians to our city. More importantly through membership, you can network with a great portion of the city.
I connected with a fabulous designer from the annual fashion show this year, and discovered brilliant designer at Shop SF. I highly recommend membership.

I have been a member for almost 4 years and I highly recomend this organization, great films, great events… higher level memberships get you into events in other cities like NYC and LA
Shop SF! was fantastic this year and Im looking forward to fresh faces of fashion!!!

Rarely would I turn down a GenArt event.
I’ve only been to the fashion shows they put on in SF a few times a year, and I’ve always had the best time.
GenArt brings some great events to this city and I whole-​heartedly celebrate San Francisco’s growing fashion and nightlife scene by supporting GenArt any time I can.

I’ve been to a handful of these trunk show /​shopping events and the Gen Arts was by far the best. Way better venders, open full vodka bar on each floor, great venue, and, if you ponied up for the VIP tix, a darn good swag bag. My gals and I got there right at the start and were able to take advantage of free brow waxings and hair styling. True the list filled up quickly but, let’s face it, are they really going to wax 500 people? I agree with Emma K that the prices seemed to be discounted from retail by 30−40%.
Gen Arts was clearly discriminating about the vendors they chose to admit. Last week at Shecky’s there was Sheila Kelley’s S Factor and American Laser Centers. Totally lame. And, the place was filled with about a gazillion screeching twenty-​something blond marina-​ites (but that’s a different review…) Alternatively, Gen Arts was a much hipper (in this humble reviewers opinion), older and more diverse crowd (including boys! –albeit boys who like boys – ) with more interesting independent designers specifically focused on fashion.

I’ve always loathed the idea of paying for the privilege of shopping. It just seems so extravagant and elitist and more than anything else, a huge waste of money. I decided to go to Gen Art’s Shop SF because one of my favorite designers — SheBible — was going to be there and they were going to be selling their stuff at deeply discounted prices. Not only that, but they have these ADORABLE silk screened t-​shirts that you can’t buy in a store or online that are the perfect mix between practical and stylish (I love looking at stylish pieces but when it comes down to it, I simply will not wear something if it’s not cotton or a cotton blend. Comfort is queen!) and they were practically GIVING them away (okay, they were $ 10, but for a cute shirt that is practically free!)
I decided to hit up the free drinks (yes, even us peons who only spent $ 10 to get in and who were turned away from the VIP lounge got free drinks) AFTER I cleared out SheBible’s inventory of size M t-​shirts (and went back for a jumper/​top marked down from $ 110 to $ 40). This was wise, because they serve free drinks at these events for a reason. Booze + discounted clothing from cool cool friendly awesome local designers + cover charge guilt («I spent $ 10 to get in — I better buy SOMETHING!») + they take credit cards = CRAZY spending potential. Beware!
On another note, I wished that there had been some draw other than shopping and free booze. I dragged along the impossibly fashionable Alissa W (who remarked upon seeing the striped-​shirt-​guy who was spinning records, «I guess you don’t have to be ‘cool’ to be a DJ these days…») who couldn’t drink (on antibiotics) and was on a budget, hoping that there would be some live music or a fashion show or some entertainment by which to simply sit and soak up the fashion, but to no avail. The lists for beauty treatments and massages filled up in about two seconds, so we just watched other people getting their eyebrows waxed and hair curled. It was all very surreal.
I’d go to another one of these events, but I’m not buying any more clothes for the next 25 years.

I am a member, and back in the day membership DID have its privileges *~* these days however, that slogan does not apply; at least as far as San Francisco’s chapter is concerned. Now if I were a jet setter traveling to Chicago, NYC or Miami, then Yes, membership would be a great privilege ~ but I’m not and I feel very unloved and misunderstood.
And why do I feel this way you ask? Well, truth be told I have held my Platinum membership for 3+ years and only in the past year have I notice phenomenal changes, and not in a good way. Additionally, I paid a higher fee this year than I had in years past; why, hum, well, I thought it worth the added expense as I expected to receive the same great services held by GenArt. I say great as the programs in the past were awesome and worth the money spent for membership. I suppose when one sets their expectation level high, one can only find disappointment; this is to say, I feel I did not get my monies worth this year and adding insult to injury, the Platinum membership is now considered the «lower» end (but not the lowest) of membership with the added Associate Producer & Executive Producer. And platinum members are rarely invited to events. WTF???
In addition, what is even more bothersome is the fact that when there are scheduled events (which have been few) rarely did I receive an invite and when I did, it was usually the day of the event (quite inconvenient). Moreover, I would have to check GenArts website to inform myself of scheduled events, and then follow up by contacting GenArt to RSVP for such events. What is more of a slap in the face, I notice in other cities such as LA, NYC, Chicago and Miami there are MANY AWESOME scheduled events posted weekly in each given month, YET here in SF it appears we are the redheaded stepchild of GenArt and are only invited to pre-​screenings of «main stream» movies. Whoa-​ho, I get to see a movie three days before the rest of the SF population… Yippee. ARGH!
As my membership expires this month, I am contemplating renewal. I suppose I will wait to see what is on calendar in the next coming months and only then will I make my decision. I can say that 2006’s longingly awaited Ignite! was very disappointing in comparison with 2005. Most of my friends attended 2005’s Ignite! and was very excited to go 2006, however afterward all walked away saying «WTF happened?»
As with other cities such as LA, NYC, Chicago and Miami chapters, I suggest the folks of SF GenArt chapter step up to the plate and create similar artistic events; if they do not, it will be a great loss to the largely artistic SF community (artists and advocates alike).

I enjoyed art-​gazing at the last elite event. Beautiful works on display by a variety of very talented up-​and-​comers. Dark sexy lighting, Djs, spread throughout three floors each with an open bar. ‘witchcraft handled the hors d’oeuvres and I met a few new Unilocalers. What chica in her right mind would miss an opportunity to chill with the oh-​so-​sexy Stoppelman Brothers?
My only complaint: Too many Mary Kate wannabes.. ..

Thank you Unilocal for tickets to Gen Art this weekend. It was alot of fun! The drinks were flowing, the Dj’s were pumping and i got hounded by a girl totally off her noo nahs for hours !
I found the art a little disappointing although there were some gems hidden amongst it.
The space was phenomenal …

Gen Art Emerge 2006 at the Warfield was the perfect event. The classic space lended itself well to the wide variety of art. The drinks and delicious food were free flowing and the art on display stimulated far more interesting discussions than the usual inebriated chatter. Two artists that really stood out were Lucrecia Troncoso and David Borengasser.
Troncoso meticulously constructs familiarly comtemplative objects with unusually ephemeral materials. Her installation of flower plants beautifully rendered from dishwashing sponges, tiny shoes constructed of orange peel and a sewn grapefruit peel purse were fascinating. Her family of deer contructed of Irish Spring soap chips was the standout at the Yerba Buena show of Oakland artists earlier this year. She’s one to watch.
Borangasser’s «Humperdinck 101» is a conceptual installation consisting of a turntable with Englebert Humperdinck’s «I’m a Better Man» and a projection of 101 layers of pornographic video. The result is an amorphous undulating of fleshy colored sea mist and music that harkens back to a time when X was just another film rating. And no, you can’t see any boobies.
Thank you, Unilocal for giving this artist a chance to enjoy the diverse works of others at this special event.

G-​lamorous
E-​xciting
N-​ights
A-​rtistically
R-​eally AWESOME
T-​imes
Sign me up…

Despite rumor, I don’t collect Red Skelton paintings of sad clowns on black velvet. But I do like those 2-​for-​1 bamboo-​framed prints of the little Mexican kids with the huge saucer eyes as they sit on their burros… now THAT’S art!
The Warfield Building turned out to be the ideal venue for this funky showing of art from local up-​and comers. Some of it went over my head… literally. But I liked a lot of it… you got a true sense of identity from the artist. There were five floors of works to look at, and the party Saturday night was decked out in the cool vibe that always makes me feel like a brown Land’s End moccasin in a room full of black Gucci loafers.
Alas, the people were friendly, especially the DJs and the ones who patiently made the cocktails. There were generous platters of sandwiches from ‘wichcraft, though I have to admit the most mouth-​watering item was the peanut butter sandwich cookie. My guest gave me small-​mouth when I reached my hand out for a third one. I knew at that juncture it was time to leave.

I totally agree what Tanya Z says about Gen Art.
Being a member definitely have perks. Just attended the 3^rd Annual Fresh Faces in Fashion Show past Saturday. Like the VIP goodie bag, beautiful people all dress up and alcohol is flowing. Mr & I truly enjoy it, we left Regency Center buzzin & had an awesome time.
Can wait to attend the next event. ^_^

Like a crazy lady… I find myself raving about Genart to strangers… especially newbies residents of SF. Having been a member for over two years, I love and take advantage of all the great events put on by GenArt. They offer at least one event a per month. From movie screenings to fashion shows. GenArt covers them all. I’ve met some some great people through GenArt events as well. The last GenArt event I went to was the screening for Devil Wears Prada… I got to see it weeks before it was showing in the theaters… cool eh.
Seriousely.for a VERY nominal fee, anyone can become a silver member… and attend all the movie screenings offered by GenArt. They offer other levels of memberships with more benefits…
Next to Unilocal.GenArt is my fav networking organization in SF.

Attended my first Gen Art event (Exposed) last night at the Great American Music Hall.
Definitely got «exposed» to bands I wouldn’t have otherwise.
There were lots of friendly, beautiful people there (oh wait, you know them already, as they were all UnilocalERS!!!) which definitely contributed to the atmosphere.

I made it out to their last event (Ignite) and was thoroughly impressed. Lots of cool art and great people. The open bar started things off right and the two dance floors kept us moving. Next time they put together an event, you’ll see me there!