| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dara Katrina Del Rosario Communications Director [email protected] |
SOMArts launches 2025 with From the River to the Bay exhibition
Curated by Chris Gazaleh
On view January 31–March 30, 2025
Monday, December 30, San Francisco, CA–SOMArts Cultural Center is honored to partner with Chris Gazaleh, a San Francisco based visual artist, musician, writer, organizer, and educator, who has dedicated his career to raising cultural, political, and social awareness about Palestine. Opening with a free, all ages reception on Thursday, January 30, 2025, 6–9 PM PST, From the River to the Bay is a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring the works of 11 Palestinian and solidarity artists. The exhibit delves into the Bay Area’s enduring legacy of social movements, affirming that everyone—from community organizers to studio artists—has a role in the struggle for freedom.
This exhibition marks the third collaboration between SOMArts and Gazaleh that centers diasporic Palestinian voices in the artists. In 2024, Gazaleh curated two programs: Reclaiming Our Image Through Muralism and Photography in February and Sounds of Solidarity: A Night of Art and Music in March. The latter featured a report back of a 2019 trip to Palestine with Gazaleh, SPIE, and Equipto, who is recognized as a cornerstone of Bay Area hip hop and activism.
On view in SOMArts’ Main Gallery from Friday, January 31–Sunday, March 30, 2025, From the River to the Bay underscores how artists and advocates in the Bay Area have demonstrated an incredible amount of support for Palestinians. Regional artists have used their platforms to raise funds, host teach-ins, and create artwork and installations. Across college campuses, students, faculty, and staff at UC Berkeley, Stanford, and San Francisco State University set up protests and encampments in solidarity.
“My hope is that this exhibition inspires visitors to connect more people with Palestine—its culture, its struggle for liberation, and its bond with the Bay Area—so they can feel inspired by the diverse expressions of solidarity,” shares Chris Gazaleh.
From the River to the Bay opens with a free, all ages reception on Thursday, January 30, 6–9 PM PST; Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance at: rivertothebayopening.eventbrite.com
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Ren Allathkani
Breaking the Silence Mural Project
Chris Gazaleh
Asma Ghanem
Hussam
Lucia Ippolito
Tarik Kazaleh
Eli Lippert
Diana Musa
SPIE
Maria Fernanda Vizcaino
CURATOR
Chris Gazaleh
ACCESSIBILITY
SOMArts is wheelchair accessible and in proximity to several nearby public transportation stops. SOMArts does not have automatic doors at its Main Entrance. Restrooms are ADA-accessible and low-scent cleaning products are used.
For more detailed information regarding accessibility at SOMArts, contact [email protected] with any related requests, questions, or concerns.
GALLERY HOURS
Thursday, 3:00–7:00 PM
Friday, 12:00–7:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday, 12:00–5:00 PM
CALENDAR LISTINGS
Gallery entry and exhibition programs are free, all ages unless otherwise noted; Eventbrite RSVPs are highly encouraged.
From the River to the Bay Exhibition Run
Friday, January 31–Sunday, March 30, 2025
From the River to the Bay is a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring the works of 11 Palestinian and solidarity artists that explores the Bay Area’s legacy of social movements, emphasizing that everyone, from community organizers to studio artists, has a vital role in the struggle for freedom.
To learn more, visit: somarts.org/rivertothebay
From the River to the Bay Opening Reception
Thursday, January 30, 6–9 PM PST
Join us for the free, all-ages opening reception of From the River to the Bay, the first SOMArts exhibition of the 2025 calendar year!
To RSVP, visit: rivertothebayopening.eventbrite.com
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ABOUT SOMARTS CULTURAL CENTER
SOMArts Cultural Center, founded in 1979, cultivates access to the arts within the Bay Area by collaborating with community-focused artists and organizations. Together, we engage the power of the arts to provoke just and fair inclusion, cultural respect, and civic participation.
SOMArts plays a vital role in the arts ecosystem by helping activate the arts citywide. We do this by providing space and production support for non-profit events, as well as fairs and festivals throughout the Bay Area, and offering a robust program of art exhibitions, classes, events, and performances that are affordable and accessible to all. SOMArts’ exhibition programs receive critical support from the San Francisco Arts Commission and San Francisco Foundation, and are sponsored in part by a grant from Grants for the Arts.
SOMArts is located at 934 Brannan Street—between 8th and 9th—within 2 blocks of 101, I-80, Muni lines, and bike paths. For public information call 415-863-1414 or visit somarts.org. Stay connected by following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.