PAST PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS
RENÉ YAÑEZ: INTO THE FADE, LUGGAGE STORE GALLERY
March 9-March 31, 2018
The Luggage Store Gallery, in a special collaboration with Baldocchi Projects presented Into the Fade, a solo mixed media exhibition by San Francisco based artist René Yañez.
Yanez (1942-2018), was an activist, curator, producer and an icon himself. For years, he collaborated with and promoted the work of many talented visual and performing artists and at times appears to be “in the shadow.”
Into the Fade spotlighted some of Yanez’ new and diverse bodies of work, from street art to virtual reality, collaborations and interactive works.
This exhibition brought together Yanez’ new and exciting bodies of work as one series fades or melts into the other. He chose the title Into the Fade as an acknowledgement that he would soon be dying and he felt it was an appropriate expression of the transition he was about to experience.
The opening was attended by many of his dear friends and it gave him the medicine of love that he needed to keep going for a few more months.
The image posted here depicts a group of us surrounding René after his opening event where we all were able to let him know how much we loved him and his remark was “That’s a lot of LOVE” he said with a laugh and then we gave him a big penguin huddle hug. It was a night to remember.
DIA DE MUERTOS XOXO STYLE AT THE GREGANGELO MUSEUM
October, 2018
In October, 2018, Baldocchi Projects partnered with the Gregangelo Museum (https://www.gregangelomuseum.com/live-tour-experiences) and presented an intimate celebration of Dia de Muertos featuring authentic Oaxacan artistry. Guests Immersed themselves in the culture, music, flavors, and flare of Oaxaca by contributing to an altar in memory of our loved ones. Guests feasted to the sounds of Mission Icon, Liliana Herrera, savored in the history of Oaxacan cuisine with Eduardo Antonio of Cafe de Olla (https://www.cafedeollasf.com/)located on Mission Street and enjoyed one of the final trips of the beloved Mexican Bus which transported us all to Thornton State Beach to offer marigolds and drink mezcal in honor of our loved ones who have passed.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS, FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
2006-2016 Photo by Adrián Arias
I had the honor to work as the Director of Public Programs for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Friday Nights at the de Young was my main project which I spearheaded when the new de Young building opened in October 2005. It had a dynamic run. Every Friday was a new experience with incredible concerts, dance performances, fashion shows, art making, workshops, lectures, films, poetry readings, artist in residence activities, tours, food, drink, fun for all. Another project that I am most proud of is the Artist-in-Residence program. The de Young hosted artists every month and gave artists the opportunity to transform a gallery space into their studio and share their process with museum visitors. I had the fortune to work with hundreds of artists of various disciplines and cultural backgrounds, curators, art historians, and an incredible museum team.
This photo is of the final Friday Night that I curated with a live music dance party performed by Manicato, (Salsa, Timba, Reggae, Hip Hop, and Rock,) emceed by KPOO’s Chelis Lopez, and art-making with Artist-in-Residence, Miguel Arzabe. It was a magical night with many community members celebrating our togetherness and commitment to utilizing art as a means towards social justice.
INTERIM MANAGING DIRECTOR, RED POPPY ART HOUSE
November 2018–June 2020
I have known Red Poppy Art House since 2007 and deeply enjoyed working with the Red Poppy Art House Community team for many years on many levels. It was my pleasure to work as the Interim Managing Director to help guide the Art House through difficult financial times. Under the direction of their new leadership team led by Dina Zariff the Poppy is back on it’s feet and serving up beautiful events that it is known for. http://redpoppyarthouse.org/
Pictured here are Adrián Arias and his DreamEscapes exhibit at Red Poppy Art House curated by me.
photo by Mara Hernandez
