SF Camerawork is a fun little gallery within a beautiful space! The staff is friendly, helpful, and answer any questions about the space/current exhibition. SFCw supports emerging artists and have a variety of interesting shows that really bring the community together. They also have free events such as artist talks, book signings, documentary showings, and participate in art walks with organizations such as Central Market NOW. They have memberships for sale that allow you to participate in monthly member critiques and offer various prints for purchase that helps support the organization. It’s certainly a lovely place to visit on a lunch break, day off, or if you’re strolling down Market. It’s also really close to Dotties True Blue Café and a short walk from Powell.
Matsuo U.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
Urban grit meets creative showcase. Market Street @ 6th St. Was drawn to the recent exhibit of «70 years of photography at City College of San Francisco», where a friends photos were on exhibit.(CCSF has had a photography department for 70 years!) Wouldn’t have discovered SF Camerawork without a personal invite. Itsa nicely lit, large walled space, perfect for exhibiting photographs. They would be much more well known and visited if they had even 1% of the de Young Museums advertising budget, but hey its important to have David Hockney plastered on city buses & signs all around the city(not !). Worth supporting SF CAmerawork, and taking in an exhibit that wouldn’t be hosted anywhere else.
Wilton W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
The few photographers who get to show their work at sfcameraworks have a headstart on attaining exhibition excellence with a dynamic large mezzanine storefront(formerly The Luggage Store) and savvy staff. AND, ironically, the photographs you will find will be one-of-a-kind and in some way cutting edge or new or distinctly better in its craft or whathaveyou. Worth a visit but not much going on really like workhops or group meetings or design stations or – they need me. @wiltonwoods
Suzi L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Burbank, CA
Free entry. Not in the best neighborhood. Interesting photographs!
Amelia K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Oakland, CA
SF Camerawork is a little gem right in downtown SF. Not easily discovered unless your looking for it yet, once you get to the second floor SFCW surprises with its exceptional photography and clean and appealing gallery space. Not a flashy gallery, its integrity is reflected in the quality of the work. Part of SFCW’s charm is that it presents an alternative to larger museums and focuses on photography that connects social and political themes, local and global perspectives. And SFCW gives back through an amazing mentoring program called First Exposures. While many art galleries maintain the art status quo, SFCW deconstructs these relationships and democratizes access to art and art making resources. Five Stars well deserved, no doubt.
Summer k.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Diego, CA
It’s free, and not a bad place to spend your time if you’re in the mood. The space is a little small and not too fancy, but they’ve got some cool stuff. I went while they had the Ersatz and Cutter Photozine exhibitions. Some stuff was tacked on the wall while other works were framed. SF Camerawork is for beginning or middle-career photographers, and the work reflected that. I wouldn’t make a huge effort to come back here, but it might be nice to see some other exhibitions if I was in the area.
Seanmichael r.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Berkeley, CA
SFCamerawork is the only purely photography dedicated art space in the city. It’s a nonprofit gallery that holds really fun an interesting events, portfolio critiques for members, publishes a quarterly journal, houses a photography library, promotes the work of many emerging artists, and offers a photography mentoring program for youth. Almost everything is volunteer run. This is exactly the kind of space that the world needs more of. If you can’t afford the $ 5.00 donation, don’t worry, they’d rather have you come and view the work than worry about money.
Sarah M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Francisco, CA
Hmm. Spend an hour at lunch looking a photographs… instead of eating food? I was dubious to say the least. I suppose you don’t really know how much of a pattern you’ve worked yourself into until something comes along to break it up. In this case, it was well worth it. It’s a nice little gallery, parked atop the always popular Cartoon Art Museum. Who knew?! We were there for Julie Blackmon’s Domestic Vacations, but ended taking in the rest of the gallery and finding some really interesting pieces we didn’t even plan on seeing. It’s a small gallery, providing just enough work to eat up a solid hour viewing. The staff, attentive, pieces were hung with a peppery zeal and the lighting, buttery. Was a fun lunchtime excursion. Here forward I shall make inroads towards feeding my mind as well as my belly during the all too brief mid-day break.
Madame X.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
A simple, cute little volunteer-run, not-for-profit gallery showcasing photography from emerging and mid-career artists. Free entry on the first Tuesday of the month(open 12 – 5). The first Thursday of every month they stay open until 8 pm and offer a beer/wine reception from 5 – 8 which is a perfect time to show-up, grab a glass of wine and wander. Another thing I appreciate about this place is that they offer educational programs to the community such as «First Exposures», a mentoring program which provides free weekly photography classes to at-risk youth ages 11 – 18.
Alison k.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Sacramento, CA
A neat photography gallery on Mission St, near the SFMoMA, Camerawork tends to feature artists who approach photography in a non-traditional manner. There is always something interesting and innovative to see here.
June W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Francisco, CA
It’s a small space but it’s got some important, thought provoking art. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Also has some cool events and in-gallery performances.
Ann L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Fremont, CA
Went for the Yerba Buena Free4All on Sat 11÷10÷07. This small museums was part of it. It’s located on the 2nd floor 657 mission St, between Annie St & New Montgomery. Bunch of photographs that’s all I can remember. Just ok.
Laurence H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
Pretty spacious gallery conveniently located near Ame and MOAD. I went there for the opening exhibit of Chinese photographer Wang Ningde who visited the US for the first time. Bringing Wang and obtaining the Andy Warhol Foundation funding of this program is indicative of the foresight of this non-profit. Check them out and check out the Wang Ningde haunting and philosophical photographs.
Sabrina K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Francisco, CA
What a cool little gallery and exhibit space. I never knew about this place until a friend suggested we meet there and check it out. How fabulous is it to have this place nestled downtown, and tucked upstairs showing excellent work.
Lisa w.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Francisco, CA
a wonderful space, newly reopened and redesigned. eye-opening exhibits. a wonderful photography gallery/resource
Dee T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Francisco, CA
An excellent photo gallery in, finally, an excellent exhibition space. Their curatorial programming is consistantly outstanding. Well-known and emerging photographers are always represented. The exhibition space is airy and contemplative. The quarterly journal is thought provoking and membership/admission is very affordable. Simply excellent!
Jeff S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Francisco, CA
A great photography centered gallery and bookstore. They often have some good events and book release parties. If you like photography you should support this not for profit gallery.