The Artistic Side of This Great Game

It wouldn't be spring without baseball. Nor would it be spring without the annual "Art of Baseball" exhibition at the George Krevsky Gallery. Now in its 11th year, the exhibit opens with a reception on Thursday, May 1st, and will be on view through Saturday, June 7th.
I have been to this exhibition for the last three years and it is amazing. If you’re even a casual baseball fan, you’ll love the art and the stories behind it.
One of my favorite artists, Mark Ulriksen (who I interviewed for BrooWaha last year, see http://sf.broowaha.com/article.php?id=883) will be displaying his work. Many other very well-known local San Francisco and Bay Area artists will have their baseball images in this world-famous exhibition.This year's theme – Building a Team – refers not just to the coach's task of choosing a roster to play the game, but also to the curator's task of bringing together talented artists from all over the country who depict the game that obsesses fans of all ages. For five weeks the gallery's walls will be densely hung with over 40 artworks by more than 25 artists; men and women who interpret Abner Doubleday's invention through an artist's eye."You can observe a lot by watching," Yogi Berra said. You can also learn a lot about our national pastime by looking at the remarkable range of artworks that will be on view -- from hyperrealism to folk art, from commentary on current issues confronting the game to unapologetic doses of pure nostalgia. "Building a Team" will be a visual delight for the baseball lover, the art lover, and the many people who love them both.This year, artists include, Mark Ulriksen, known for his New Yorker covers, and Max Mason, whose pastels can be seen at the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Paintings by Curtis Wright depict classic PCL players against old-time billboards in the outfield, and Debbie Gallas has created a quilt that chronicles the history of the Athletics franchise. These can be seen together with Carl Aldana's watercolors of the Giant's Seals Stadium, and Arthur K. Miller's paintings of Mickey Mantle and Sandy Koufax. Building a Team: The Art of BaseballExhibition Dates: May 1 – June 7, 2008Opening Reception: Thursday, May 1st, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
77 Geary St. 2nd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94108 Tel: (415) 397-9748Fax: (415) 397-9749