American Visions Art Gallery

Speaking of orthodontia and San Francisco’s 450 Sutter Building (Sutter Street Grill review, 8÷11÷14), getting me to set foot in an art gallery is like pulling teeth, but not so at American Visions Art Gallery on Folsom’s Sutter Street.
The window display beckoned with a framed print, a variation of that timeworn dogs-​playing-​poker scene, except it was Republican presidents. Also available was a similar print featuring Democrat presidents and the current incumbent playing poker, and another showing them playing pocket billiards.
The deeper you venture into the store, the more you might appreciate it as a must-​shop for those seeking to adorn a (pardon the triteness) man cave. Also for sale are sculptures created by Tom Warren from unlikely materials such as random surplus hardware, household flatware, and heads of golf clubs welded together.
An introductory card amid his display tells of Warren’s 30 years of welding and shaping metal to design components for the aerospace industry. He began his art career after retiring «as a means to teach two of his granddaughters… how to MIG [metal inert gas] weld,» and he lives in [nearby] El Dorado Hills, reads the card.
Among his most remarkable pieces are a metal-​and-​spark-​plug man walking a pet dinosaur fashioned mostly from a scrap bike chain; a bodice made entirely of identical flat washers, and a backyard cookout scene. Take a moment to view the pix (and [please] VOTE!).
I might not know art, but I know what I like when I see it.

Great location and art… terrible customer service. Bought two Andy Thomas prints at a November showing and had them countersigned by the artist. Had to get one framed and picked both up several weeks later. Since it was a «gift» for my home, we didn’t un-​wrap them until Christmas only to find that one of the prints was not the one I purchased!
Returned to the gallery to see what they could do. This is where things «went south». The manager that day basically said that the artist would only sign prints put in front of him at a show, so therefore I had caused the mistake! Once I convinced her that this was not the case, as shown by the store receipt, she told me that it was impossible to get a new print countersigned as the artist would only sign them at a show and that they didn’t know when the next show would be. My only choice would be to exchange the print for an un-​signed one and possibly get it signed the next time he was there. Unacceptable to me.
Finally, when I asked about a refund, she told me that their policy was exchange only and that a full refund was impossible. After some discussion, she finally relented and said that she would give me a full refund for both prints since it was «only $ 400». She finally said she was «sorry» for the mistake they had caused.
Needless to say, I was completely dismayed by this lack of customer service and condescending attitude as we love this gallery’s offerings and location. I will find somewhere else to get the Andy Thomas prints, get my William S. Phillips art framed, and will delay my purchase of a June Carey print as well. I’m now looking for another gallery that will take care of its customers when they make a mistake!

Purchased a western piece there today. Service, price, and selection was outstanding! Recommend this gallery for anyone looking to put a piece of Americana in their home.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff, with a good selection. I always see something new and different when I visit. Highly recommended!

It’s always refreshing to see someone turn their thoughts, nature, things & all sort of other stuff into an amazing artwork.
Love this place, its one of the place you must visit when you’re in historic Folsom.
Great people working there, fantastic selection of art & the lady boss is very nice.
I have my eye on one of the art. Waiting to get it closer to that special day next year.

This art gallery is very inviting. The staff are very friendly, especially Giovanna. I believe Giovanna is the owner. She showed me around the gallery when I first arrived and answered all my questions about specific artists. She seemed very knowledgeable in her trade. The entire time we talked she had a very warm smile on her face that you could tell was genuine and not the typical smile of someone trying to make a sale. I would highly recommend buying artwork from this business or at the least checking this establishment out. Also I didn’t get a chance to try it, but they have a wine bar (it looked like at least) as well as other foods and coffee.

This gallery has such a wide range of styles that I was actually shocked I found a few hip pieces for myself. They even carry pieces by my favorite local artist, David Garibaldi. The place is set up almost like a maze so be sure to walk slowly or you might miss an entire section. The most unexpected part of the gallery was finding a coffee bar in the back complete with a tv. Definitely a gallery worth checking out.