The highly anticipated 8th annual benefit welcomed a who’s who of San Francisco’s art scene
Words by DIANE DORRANS SAEKS
Just 1,400 fortunate art lovers attended the festive preview gala of FOG Design+Art on January 19 at Fort Mason. Health officials limited the number of attendees to this eighth edition, and many late-to-book art collectors who tried to get a ticket discovered it was sold out. “It is a great pleasure to finally come together. None of the international art dealers canceled or backed out at the last moment,” said Allison Speer, one of the original FOG founders. “After two years, tonight is a triumph.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 19 – Neal Benezra, Allison Speer, Susan Swig, Stanlee Gatti, Douglas Durkin, Sarah Wendell Sherrill and Katie Paige attend FOG Design + Art Preview Gala on January 19th 2022 at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)
Steering committee members Douglas Durkin, Allison Spear, Stanlee Gatti, Katie Paige and Sarah Wendell Sherrill, with SFMOMA’s Neal Benezra, were on hand to greet guests arriving from the fog-swept pier. (Every attendee was required to show proof of vaccines, booster and a same-day negative Covid test.) “The feeling here tonight is so happy, safe and civilized,” Sabrina Buell commented. “This evening reminds me of the pleasure of enjoying art, as well as the sense of connection the arts community creates.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 19 – Atmosphere at FOG Design + Art Preview Gala on January 19th 2022 at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)
Also swooping on paintings were Komal Shah, Ravin and Alka Agriwal, Maria Manetti Shrem, along with Mike and Kaitlin Krieger, Wayee Chu and Jennifer Morla with Nilus de Matran. John Berggruen shared a booth with his son, Alexander Berggruen, making his art fair debut. And in a felicitous twist, Berggruen Senior reported that he is now collecting works by his son’s artists. “This is my favorite regional art fair, with the highest caliber of dealers, exhibitors, and patrons, and I love the location, on a dramatic pier overlooking the bay,” he said.
Curiously sculptural century-old printing presses and limited-edition artist books drew hordes of fans to The Arion Press pop-up directed by Stanlee Gatti. He was front-page news recently as designer/event producer of Ivy Getty’s legendary three-day wedding celebration.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 19 – Atmosphere at FOG Design + Art Preview Gala on January 19th 2022 at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Drew Altizer)
Checking out design were Ken Fulk with Vanessa Getty, along with Steven Volpe, just back from London, and artist Leo Villareal, whose The Bay Lights shimmering light show on the Bay Bridge could be seen across the Bay.
The FOG gala benefits education initiatives of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the first museum on the West Coast devoted to contemporary and modern art.
February 14, 2021
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