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San Francisco Museum Exhibits - May 2008
Listings updated annually.
May 2008 exhibits at San Francisco museums. Museums outside of the city are listed at the end.
** Note: Museums not listed are temporarily closed or do not have special exhibitions this month.
The Guide to San Francisco Museums has a more extensive list of venues, with full address and location information. The San Francisco Museum Map shows locations of museums within the city.
See the guide to Free Museum Days in San Francisco for monthly freebies.
1. San Francisco Museum Map
Click here for the San Francisco museum map. Clicking the image on the left will not link you to the map.
This map shows the locations of San Francisco museums, from the large cluster of venues near Yerba Buena Gardens (including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) to museums farther afield such as the Legion of Honor in the Outer Richmond.
2. Asian Art Museum
Civic Center
See: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Later Chinese Jades: Ming Dynasty to Early 20th Century
To August 17, 2008
73 examples of later Chinese jades -- coincides with publication of major catalogue documenting the museum's collection
Contemporary Korean Fiber Art: Reinterpreting the Korean Patchwork
To Nov 24, 2008
Showcasing six artists whose works transformed into modern expressions, the materials and techniques used in traditional Korean crafts
On Gold Mountain: Sculptures from the Sierra by Zhan Wang
To May 25, 2008
Wang selected rocks from foothills of the Sierra Nevada, alluding to the 19th century Chinese immigrant experience of mining gold during the California gold rush
3. Beat Museum
© Ingrid Taylar
North Beach - 540 Broadway (at Columbus)
See: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
In addition to the regular beat-era exhibits, see the Beat Museum's schedule of special events for readings and appearances.
4. California Historical Society
Location: SoMa/South of Market - (SoMa Information)
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
The Chinese of California: A Struggle for Community
February 7 to August 30, 2008
Features historic documents, manuscripts and artifacts document Chinese American fight for civil rights and unique challenges in California
5. Cartoon Art Museum
Location: SoMa/South of Market - (SoMa Information)
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Sex and Sensibility: Ten Women Examine the Lunacy of Modern Love
To June 8, 2008
Showcases work by ten of the funniest cartoonists in America, commenting on the many humorous aspects of sex, love and everything else that's amusing about relationships today
Bay Area Spotlight: Creig Flessel
To June 8, 2008
Exhibition opens on cartoonist Flessel's 96th birthday
Farley's San Francisco Chronicles: A Salute to Phil Frank
To September 14, 2008
Celebrates the life and legacy of this Bay Area cartoonist in a special retrospective
6. Conservatory of Flowers
Location: Golden Gate Park
Website
See the Golden Gate Park and the Inner Sunset on a San Francisco Neighborhood Map
The Butterfly Zone: Plants and Pollinators
Through November 2, 2008
Exhibit returns with double the number of butterflies and more nectar plants for feeding
7. de Young Museum
© Ingrid Taylar
Location: Golden Gate Park
Profile of de Young Museum
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Gilbert & George
To May 18, 2008
Gilbert & George put themselves at the center of their artwork, identifying as "living sculptures" in art and daily life. Largest retrospective ever organized by the Tate Museum in London.
For Tent and Trade: Masterpieces of Turkmen Weaving
To Sep 7, 2008
Features selected masterpieces from the Fine Arts Museums' extraordinary collection of Turkmen carpets and tent trappings from Central Asia
Chim: The Photography of David Seymour
To Sep 28, 2008
More than seventy works make up the retrospective of Chim's photojournalistic work
Check out the Friday Nights at the de Young weekly series.
8. Exploratorium
Location - Marina District - (Marina District Information)
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Mind: The Art, Science and Experience of our Inner Lives
Ongoing
The Mind team spent more than a year researching the cognitive sciences to create experiences highlighting the way our minds work.
Listen: Making Sense of Sound
Ongoing
Permanent collection of interactive exhibits, focusing on subtle and profound aspects of hearing
See the Exploratorium website for additional ongoing exhibitions and activities.
9. Legion of Honor
© Ingrid Taylar
Location: Outer Richmond (Outer Richmond Information)
Profile of the Legion of Honor
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990–2005
To May 25, 2008
200 of Leibovitz's photographs of pop culture icons, as well as those she has taken of her family and close friends
Highlights from the Israel Antiquities Authority: The Dead Sea Scrolls and 5,000 Years of Treasures
To August 10, 2008
Includes rotating examples of the rare and precious Dead Sea Scroll fragments
Kahnweiler, Editeur: Illustrated Books Published by the Legendary French Art Dealer
To May 25, 2008
10. Museum of Craft and Folk Art
© Ingrid Taylar
Location: SoMa/South of Market - (SoMa Information)
MOCFA Website
See also: San Francisco Museum Map and Guide to SF Museums
American Symbols: From Lady Liberty to the Stars and Stripes
May 9 to August 3, 2008
An exploration of the graphic history of the flag, the eagle, the shield, Uncle Sam, and Lady Liberty as used in craft, folk art, and design as well as Native American art, trade and popular art.
American Folk Art Festival
One Day - May 3, 2008 - 12p to 5p
Napa Valley fundraiser for the Museum of Craft and Folk Art - at Laird Family Estate Winery