October Art Events

1AM SF Gallery Grand Opening
The grand opening of a new gallery dedicated to street and urban art. The gallery's name stands for the First Amendment; it promises to offer workshops in mural-making and "demystifying" graffiti. This first show features work by Erik Otto, Jonah Levin, Lawrence Yang, Twick, and others.

Grand opening party Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at 1000 Howard (at Sixth St.), S.F. Admission is free; call 861-5089 or visit www.1amsf.com.

"The Autonomous Zone," Jay Nelson
Inspired by the solitary romance of surfing, San Francisco artist Nelson's pieces mediate a relationship with nature. His previous site-specific sculptures have included a motor scooter outfitted to carry a surfboard, treehouses, and an energy-efficient camper.

Opening reception Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. (exhibit runs through Nov. 9) at Triple Base Gallery, 3041 24th St. (at Treat), S.F. Admission is free; visit www.basebasebase.com.

Prajakti Jayavant
By obsessively folding, crimping, and tearing single sheets of paper, San Francisco artist Jayavant creates evocative objects with a weight and bulk that positions them between paintings and sculpture.

Opening reception Friday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. (exhibit runs through Nov. 8) at Jancar Jones Gallery, 965 Mission (at Sixth St.), S.F. Admission is free; call 281-3770 or visit www.jancarjones.com.

"Vote for Survival," Nikki McClure
Olympia artist McClure, famous for her calendars, turns her eye toward politics, exhibiting optimistic, colorful signs, silkscreens, and papercuts that may cure your issue fatigue.

Opening reception Friday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. (exhibit runs through Nov. 10) at Needles and Pens, 3253 16th St. (at Guerrero), S.F. Admission is free; call 255-1534 or visit www.needles-pens.com.

"I feel I am free but I know I am not"
Guillermo Gómez-Peña and La Pocha Nostra stage tableaux vivants using audience members in an act of performance art meant to illustrate questions about politics and identity. Bay Area officials and politicians have been invited to participate.

Saturday, Oct. 11, and Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. at SF Camerawork, 657 Mission (at New Montgomery), S.F. Admission is free-$5; call 512-2020 or visit www.sfcamerawork.org.

"West, Wester, Westest"
A group show curated by Chicagoan Ryan Christian featuring work by artists from Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, and New York. Standouts include Erin Morrison's biomorphic abstracts and Frank Magnotta's surreal graphite drawings.

Through Oct. 23 at Fecal Face Art Gallery, 66 Gough (at Market), S.F. Admission is free; visit www.fecalface.com/gallery.

"Lingering Curses," Bethany Kalk
Branching lines crisscross Kalk's canvases, sometimes trapping animals, sometimes seeming to map a way out. For "Lingering Curses," she creates site-specific murals on the walls of the gallery.

Through Oct. 31 at Mina Dresden Gallery, 312 Valencia (at 14th St.), S.F. Admission is free; call 863-8312 or visit www.minadresden.com.