Traveling Exhibits

“The Power of Creativity and Community: AWE at SFAC City Hall Gallery” opening event. AWE and Laguna Honda artists and staff celebrate with SFDPH Director Grant Colfax and San Francisco Mayor London Breed	“Community is a Process,” Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. class exhibit at the Tenderloin Museum with AWE Instructor Hugh Leeman and Tenderloin Museum Gallery Director Katie Conry

The Art With Elders Traveling Exhibits Program spotlights the creativity and vitality of our elder artists, and provides them with a presence, and a pathway to staying active and visible, in the community. Mobility can be an issue as we age, but it does not need to keep us from engaging fully. We can use the power of art, creativity, and community to enrich the journey of aging.

Our Traveling Exhibits venues have included the San Francisco International Airport, SFAC City Hall Gallery, War Memorial Performing Arts Center, Rincon Center, Kadist Gallery, The UCSF Memory and Aging Center, the USF Koret Center, and many more. The works reach an estimated 500,000 viewers annually.

Original artworks and prints are for sale. Art sale proceeds in many cases go to the artists. In the case of donated works, proceeds support the AWE program. If you are interested in purchasing art please visit our AWE Online Store.

Traveling Exhibits highlights below. Please see our Exhibits Schedule for a list view of all our exhibits and events.

Thu. Feb. 2 – Fri. Aug. 25, 2023
Opening Reception Thu. Feb. 2, 5-7pm (Free and open to the public)
Art With Elders: The Power of Creativity and Community at
SF Arts Commission Galleries at San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102

Art With Elders (AWE) in partnership with the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Art in City Hall program are proud to present The Power of Creativity and Community, an exhibition that showcases over 90 original paintings and drawings made by seniors participating in the AWE program from forty programming sites and community partners located throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.

The exhibition is organized in four groups: artworks selected for the AWE 30^th Annual Exhibit and AWE Over the Years: Works from the AWE Archive, as well as artworks created by artists participating in the AWE Senior Bridge Project: Mental Health and Social Connection and in classes at Laguna Honda Hospital. The Power of Creativity and Community celebrates the many artists who have participated in the program by sharing their incredible artwork and their creative voice. Each work is accompanied with a portrait of the artist and information about their life and practice.

The exhibition will be on display on the Ground Floor and in the North Light Court of San Francisco City Hall and is free and open to the public. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

AWE at Laguna Honda Artist Ida Marksman interviewed by T.J. Walkup of Omnific Pictures and photographed by Minoosh Zomorodinia. Background: banner of “Seascape” by Tony Lai Yu.	Left to Right: Artist Mary Fleming (AWE at Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center ), Mayor London Breed, Artist Geri Hill (AWE at Davis Center), AWE Artist Instructor Virginia Jourdan.

Event, Exhibit – AWE Artists at Imago Gallery Trinity St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Sat. July 15 Public Opening 12:30-2:30
1668 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94109, (415) 775-1117
ADA Accessible
This exhibit, hosted by Trinity-St. Peter’s, features artworks created by seniors participating in the Art With Elders (AWE) program. The exhibiting artists represent a diverse cross section of older adults from senior living communities located within a mile of the church.

Cover Art – “Behind the Flowers” by Connie Manning – Rhoda Goldman Plaza

Exhibit – Tue. Jul. 18 – Tue. Aug. 8, 2023
AWE at Genentech, South San Francisco

This exhibit, hosted by STAGES at Genentech, features artworks created by seniors participating in the Art With Elders (AWE) program. The exhibit is on display in building 35, July 18-August 8. The exhibiting artists represent a diverse cross section of older adults from around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Strengthening Ties Across Generations (STAGES)
The STAGES group promotes an age-friendly work environment at Genentech. It provides opportunities for experienced employees to network, mentor new employees, receive information and resources for changing lifestyles (such as retirement planning) and participate in collaborative diversity events and programs. STAGES is active in South San Francisco.

In Person Public Exhibitions:

Past Exhibits

Fri. Jan. 6 – Wed. Mar. 1, 2023
The AWE 30th Annual Exhibit at the
San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
(Veterans Building Herbst Theater Lobby)
401 Van Ness Avenue, SF, CA 94102
(415) 621-6600
Open 7 days a week, 7a-10p

Tue. Jan. 10 – Fri. Feb. 3, 2023
Opening Reception: Sat., Jan. 21, 2:00- 4:00 pm
The Women of AWE at the
SF Women Artists Gallery
647 Irving St. at 8th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122 // Tue. – Sat. 10:30am to 5:30pm // 415.566.8550

Cover art: “Fashionista” by Ruth Goldberg – Rhoda Goldman Plaza

AWE at Genentech
Mon. Jul. 11 – Aug. 31
1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080

View the works in the AWE Archive

Genentech Highlights Video:

Art With Elders at the Curry Senior Center – Community Partner Feature
On location and online exhibit – May 19 – July 31, 2022
Opening Event at the Curry Senior Center Thurs. May 19, 2-4pm
315 Turk Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

View the works in the AWE Archive

AWE at Curry Senior Center Event Video

“A Visual Story Through Self” – Artists from AWE at Openhouse Bob Ross LGBTQ Senior Center and Coventry Place
Hosted by Spike’s Coffees and Teas
Tues. Jan. 4 – Mon. Jan. 31, 2022

View the works in the AWE Archive

This exhibit, “A Visual Story Through Self,” features art and artists from the AWE program at the Openhouse Bob Ross LGBTQ Senior Center. Openhouse works to center the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults by providing opportunities to make social connections and build community. These artists encompass the dynamic diversity that enriches San Francisco. Their artworks were made in community art classes with Art With Elders. AWE uses technology and art to bridge the isolating divide of the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic. This show represents a rich tapestry of varied perspectives woven together through the dynamic language of visual art. These artists’ visual stories remind us that connection is an ongoing creative process that results in an ever-evolving community. 

AWE at SF Women Artists – View the works in the AWE Archive

Tues. Jan. 11 – Fri. Mar. 4, 2022 – AWE at San Francisco Women Artists
647 Irving Street at 8th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
Opening Reception – Sat. Jan. 15, 2022, 2-4 pm

“Community is a Process” – AWE at the Tenderloin Museum
Featuring artists from the Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Coventry Place, and Laguna Honda Hospital

November 4, 2021 – January 7, 2022

“Community is a Process” is an exhibit featuring artists of the Art With Elders program and hosted by the Tenderloin Museum. The exhibiting artists are residents of the urban heart of San Francisco, although most originate from other parts of the world. The featured works speak to the continuously evolving process of building community in the midst of change, and many reflect expressions of the immigrant experience. Come out and learn about this diverse group of senior artists, and join the conversation. Share your impressions of the works and your notions of community building on our Community Conversation Board.

Holiday Showcase at Kadist SF	One Rincon Center	Openhouse at Community Arts Stabilization Trust
Art Institute of California SF – Culinary Program	San Francisco International Airport	SF City Hall