Four Artists' Homes And Studios You Can Visit In San Francisco

It’s one thing to be able to marvel and admire an artist’s work, but it’s a completely different and intimate experience all its own when you can actually walk in the home or studio an artist once owned. San Francisco has seen an infinite amount of artists come and go, moving on and selling their muse properties or maybe even not allowing the public to enter. Some, however, have been opened for the San Francisco public to see, walk and admire; either preserved with past artworks or available for anyone to see art in the making.

1. Jacques Terzian

Building

Jacques Terzian was a sculptor with the vision of creating spaces specifically for artists. In the early 1970s, Terzian, among many other artists, was forced out of a warehouse space to make way for Levi’s Plaza. Terzian knew he needed to do something, so he went yo the old Hunter’s Point Shipyard, which was being decommissioned by the U.S. Navy. Terzian got a sublease on the barracks and remodeled it into an artist colony named The Point. The Point opened in 1984, and today is considered the largest artist colony operating in the United States, housing 250 artists in residence. Terzian died August 6, 2016, at the age of 94.

2. David Kenneth Ireland

Art Gallery

David Kenneth Ireland lived at 500 Capp Street in San Francisco for 30 years. Born in 1930, died in 2009, Ireland specialized in environmental artwork and social sculpture. Although he was known for his interdisciplinary philosophy toward his art, his best-known works remained at his San Francisco home. Ireland believed the home itself embodies his visual language and exists as both a gallery and artwork in its own right. Today, perfectly curated exhibitions highlight changing selections of work from Ireland’s 3,000-piece collection.

3. Mural Arts Studio

Art Gallery

Les Seymour and Brenda Cole Seymour founded Mural Arts studio over 25 years ago. Whether restoration of historic murals, architectural decorative painting, Art Deco painting or metal and gold leaf gilding, all projects are meticulously created beginning to end by Les and Brenda Cole Seymour, for both commercial and residential properties. Visiting the studio is by appointment only but well worth it. The murals and paintings are always changing, depending on the current commissions. While part of the studio may have an intricate 18th-century style mural piece in progress, another wall might have 500 square foot airbrush and street art ceiling mural for a hip café.

4. Lynne Rutter

Art Gallery

Lynne Rutter is a fine art muralist and decorative painter with 30 years of experience. After extensive world travel, Rutter found herself in San Francisco. Rutter’s work emphasizes site-specific design, period design and classical methods. Occasionally, classes are held at Rutter’s San Francisco studio. Some classes include cloud ceiling murals, techniques in Florentine gilding and more.

Even more of Lynne’s work can be found on her blog, The Ornamentalist, along with entries on the finer points of color and décor.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.