El Papél: 0626
Happy Pride Month, y’all. There are so many great and fun events to attend or support. I’ve been meditating on this question someone asked me after a session the other night: Do artists make a living in the city? I was a little puzzled at first, but it was a genuine question. Politely, I answered no—the cost of living makes it hard to do so. The percentage is low, but many artists I know have at least 2–3 jobs just to survive in the Bay Area. When the pandemic hit, it shattered our ability to stay. But we’re still here, because we’re putting in the work. We know it’s hard to believe in anything, especially in this economy. But if we’re still fighting for a future we believe in and still scared of the unknown, we’d rather do it with friends than alone.
We started this month strong with a sold-out Sailor Moon event at Monument, then proceeded with a special Star Wars–themed event at Madrone the following week. Then we were at Oakland Comic Con! Thanks to everyone who came up to say hello. We then had a fabulous session at Oakland Museum with a new art model in our lineup: Cora Values. She gave us a theatrical performance—something I’ve been working with the Art Models on for quite some time. This was followed by an impromptu double-model session at Monument, along with securing weekly jazz musicians. We ended the month with the pole malfunctioning at the Pole + Sketch session (oops!) and another sweet edition of our monthly Drink and Draw series at Mothbelly Gallery in the Tenderloin, with friends old and new. We are so excited to be dropping some more performative arts collaborations, with the likes of West Edge Opera. And more instructive workshops with our friends. Planning for events is putting faith in the future.
Faith is a practice. It is related to trust: trusting the unknown; trusting that beyond the veil, we’re practicing the art of manifestation. The cycle of life continues, whether we choose to contract or expand after chaos. As artists, we can continue to build worlds we can work toward. The more we grow in faith, the more faith shows up for us. This next week, we have a chance to revitalize that faith in our local governments and change some policies that can affect the way our officials show up for us—such as (name the San Francisco Arts Commission grant) and the dismantling of the pretrials. Voting to tax the rich and to fund public transit are just a few ways politics expresses its interest in us—the working-class citizens and artists. We need public transportation to be funded, and taxing the rich will help us do that. We can’t have data centers, because that will raise our utilities and take away our water. We need to collaborate and be creative in the ways we can show up, consistently, for the things that matter most to us. And that means having faith, practicing trust in the unknown, taking risks, and getting back up when we’re knocked down—together.
Your continued financial support helps us know that you trust us to keep fighting to stay alive and bring affordable programming to you—month after month, even when funding is uncertain. If you can’t give right now, consider sharing our events with a friend, bringing someone new to a session, grabbing some small fliers at a session, or spreading the word word of mouth or online is also a meaningful way to support.
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Sketchboard News:
As seen above: We’re releasing Sketchboard Stamp Cards!! Designed by our boy Jeff Lance himself. For Monument and Oakland Grove venues, and only redeemable at these spaces. Stacking cards to redeem multiple sessions at once and retroactively signing these yourselves is not allowed. Additionally, if you have a recurring subscription, you aren’t allowed to use these in addition to your subscription. Thanks for the enthusiasm on them so far!!
Artist Talks coming back to Blick’s on Market, taking a small hiatus May/June.
July - Figure Drawing & Art Modeling, with Michael Buffington and other artists TBA!
August - Plein Air Painting, with Franklin Lei and other artists TBA!
We still got hella tiuckets left for the Adventure Time Salon, set in July. Come join us as for this costumed figure drawing event with Gl0w0rm as Princess Bubblegum and Maize as Marceline.
Our next Figure Drawing Marathon at Oakland Grove on August 30th from 10am to 4pm. Our second fundraiser for the year, with 10 Art Models, live screenprinting, and live music.
Don’t forget to submit your sketches to our collective zine or your favorite, framed pieces to the third group art show to us soon! We are still collecting artwork up to July 15th. They are both set to release in August.
Announcing A Special Collaboration with West Edge Opera House!
📢 Sketchboard Co. Presents a special collaboration with @westedgeopera to tell the story of Thomas Mckeller, a black bell hop turned Art Model who was the muse for the famous John Singer Sargent. Thomas's identity wasn't recognized until a curator found these sketches in a museum file cabinet and chased curiosity. It's a classic example of the "Power of the Pen" and who gets to tell the story. This is in celebration for the their upcoming show: American Apollo.
✍🏽 Join us on July 15th at Oakland Grove in Oakland from 630-830pm, with model Allan Pretty as Thomas Mckeller!! This will be a costumed drawing salon with a live jazz band.
📆 07/15/2026
⏳ 630-830pm
📍 3630 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
🎟️ $25 Presales & At The Door
🎵 Live musicians
🧑🧒 All ages and skill levels
🫶🏽 So grateful to be tapped in for such theatrical collabs! It's been a dream curating such productions. From our Ides of March, Baroque Delights - now another historical tale to be told through a marriage of visual and musical accompaniment.
June Events You Should Check Out:
Thursday June 4th - TOTAL ACCORD X BFF.FM HAPPY HOUR SHOW AND BBQ at El Rio
Thursday June 8th from 5-8pm - Fundraiser for Critical Resistance at El Rio
Opening Receptions:
Thursday June 4th from 6-pm - Robert Casanova’s Solo Art Show at 5 Olive Gallery, SF
Saturday June 6th from 6-8pm - Nico’s Solo Show at Glass Rice Gallery, SF
Saturday June 6th from 2-4pm - Sketch Club Group Show at SFWA Gallery, SF
Sunday June 7th from 12-3pm - Nathaniel’s Solo Art Show at San Franpsycho in The Sunset, SF
Friday June 12th - Lian’s Solo Show at Swigg Gallery, SF
Saturday June 20th from 5-9pm - Harry’s Show at The Eyes and Hands Society, SF
