Wearable Art and Stellar Performances
BRAF’s 1st Annual ARTumnal Gathering

Oct 22 | archive | subscribe

On Saturday, November 3rd, the Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF) will hold its first fall gala, "An ARTumnal Gathering," to raise funds to support its public art programs in San Francisco and elsewhere.  The gala will include a lavish dinner and a caravan of live performers: aerialists, acrobats, strolling musicians and live bands.  A evening will feature a 'Caravanserai of Wearable Art' –- an auction of custom-crafted pieces of costumery, clothing and adornments, made by local designers and artists.

BRAF is the nonprofit arm of the San Francisco organization that produces the Burning Man arts festival, an annual event held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada.  BRAF was founded in 2001 in order to bring Burning Man artwork and ethos to cities and public places, partnering with individuals, communities and City Hall to accomplish its community-building public art programs.

“One of the lessons learned from Burning Man is to value temporality. Placing art in public context for short periods of time reduces planning overhead and simplifies funding and organizing in comparison with permanent installations.” Said Melissa Alexander, Executive Director.

Inclusively is another principal underlying that underlines the work of BRAF says Alexander. “Projects come to fruition through interaction of artists with volunteers, officials, community members, and many other individuals not traditionally identified as art makers. Debate and dissent sparked by a new work can encourage discussion and new understanding, along with a sense of ownership in a community’s activities and environment.”

Its recent projects include ScrapEden, a collaboration with the SF Department of the Environment to highlight recycling and the use of found objects in art; "The Dreamer" in Golden Gate Park, the enigmatic purple head by San Francisco artist Pepe Ozan; and "Passage," the towering mother and child sculpture at Pier 14.
 
BRAF Gala, The Lodge at the Grand, 1290 Sutter St., San Francisco, November 3, 7:00 p.m. blackrockarts.org