"After having been named ArtSpan's new executive director in March, helming the non-profit's 51st SF Open Studios (September 19-October 19) now falls under Shamsher Virk's purview. Accordingly, he is doing what everyone else does at the recurring event: listen, look, linger, and learn."
"In 1991, those creatives formed ArtSpan to provide structure and steward the complex, artist-led operation. In addition to its original lodestar, the organization now oversees year-round programs, networking opportunities, and artist grants and awards. During this year's Open Studios, the goal is for legendary visionaries, mid-career artists, and new voices on the scene to introduce fresh ideas via the work on display. Each weekend highlights different regions in the city, inviting visitors to explore areas they might previously have overlooked."
"The first place my brain goes upon hearing the phrase is that thinking of studios as 'messy places' is a positive. Messy is experimentation, failure, painting outside the lines, taking risk that will land you somewhere novel. It also produces a refined vision and and an impact that is"
Shamsher Virk was named ArtSpan's executive director in March and now oversees the 51st SF Open Studios, scheduled September 19–October 19. The monthlong event began in 1975, expanded from one weekend with roughly 67 artists to more than 600 participants in 2025. ArtSpan formed in 1991 to provide structure and stewardship for the artist-led operation and now manages year-round programs, networking, grants, and awards. The Open Studios format invites visitors to explore different city regions each weekend, with many free studio visits alongside ticketed events such as ArtLaunch, Art Tasting, special artist weekends, and an exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center. Virk frames studio messiness as experimentation and risk leading to refined vision.
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