El Papél: 0126
“Play contributes directly to a person’s ability to handle failure, work in teams, and take risks. The ability to play together is a powerful sign of a group getting into flow and potentially building belonging.”
Happy Holidays!
So many things have happened, and this winter break has allowed us to reflect and strategize for the year ahead—to slow down and appreciate the accomplishments and hurdles we've overcome together.
We deeply appreciate everyone who came out to our Madrone Fundraiser earlier this month, and donated to our end of year fundraiser. Our raffle is still going strong for the next 10 days! Every $5 gets you entered for some our awesome prizes, contributed by our friends and comrades in the community.
We are asking for your continued commitment in 2026 and beyond. We are in the midst of our big end of year fundraising push and our goal to sustain our programming, staff and community is $10,000!! Your contributions help us pay our team and models/musicians a living wage.
Will you commit to another year of creating in community with us by making a donation today?
We facilitated a costumed figure drawing session at Comics Arts LA on December 14th!
One conversation we've been having with our peers is about the invitation for play that has created this sense of belonging. Something that has been sought by many after this tumultuous year of fascism. We’re all looking for that routine that grounds us. And we’ve gotten into this natural flow with the rituals we've created—making our announcements, introducing our models, and sharing our art at the end—have created this vibe that has been coined as sacred. Neuroscience has shown that each part plays an important role. The beginning of a ritual always starts with a familiar but simple act - like entering the space and getting your supplies out. This tells your brain that you can release yourself from normal concerns—you're entering a special time and place. You become attuned to other artists energies during the enactment. It places you in a receptive mode, a vulnerable state where you're open to new wisdom. With the marriage of live music, the erratic sounds of graphite and charcoal, gliding and breaking on paper all at the same time. And in the end, is the celebration of what we've experienced together: the sacred act of creating.
And we hosted our first Holiday Art Market on December 7th.
As we enter into this new age Attention Economy, where your focus belongs does matter. We are all feeling the pull to leave the old world behind. The fascist’s machine can’t create community, nor does it understand the feeling of belonging. A comic I recently read online put it perfectly: If you climb to the top of the mountain, you get the most satisfying view. But you miss the chance to stumble upon something unexpected during your climb, if you take a helicopter, or use a drone. You won’t get to meet your fellow travelers on your journey. You might get a perfect picture and be able to tweak it from your computer. But in the end, you don't learn anything about yourself. Your “art” doesn't mean anything. And you don't understand the mountain.
We have the upper hand in this, as creatives. Artists have been disrupting patterns to sustain a sense of belonging. You take that with you, the self compassion and resilience - it isn’t just about fitting in. It is about standing up for something. LIVE BY LEARNING, LEARN BY DOING.
Updates:
Fundraiser Raffle:
We still have 10 more days left for the raffle. Thanks to our community sponsors who have graciously donated a service or a product!
Venue Changes:
Wolfepack has let us know they are closing in January. We are pretty sad about it, seeing as just moved there after Firehouse’s closing earlier this year. The heartbreak with space closing is so real.
So this means Mondays Long Pose will be back at CAST in SF.
We were able to find another venue on Telegraph and 37th called The Oakland Grove. It’ll be on Wednesdays from 630-830pm
Price Increases:
We know, price increases suck! However, this will help us sustain all the awesome programming, you’ve come to love. Along with paying our models, musicians, and team members a livable wage.
Long Pose Sessions: Increase from $20 to $25.
Walk-in Ticket Pricing: $5 more at the door for all ticketed events. This is to encourage people to buy tickets in advance! We will be allowing very limited wall-ins: 3 MAX.
Subscription Increase: We are going to be increasing the subscription prices by $10 in April.
Art Models will get a pay increase from $150 to $180 starting in July.
Call For Volunteers:
We are finally putting the call out for volunteers! We are seeking help for our in person events: Wednesday events at The Oakland Grove and Monument. Sign up on the volunteer website for a shift that works with your schedule. And if you have any other gifts to offer at this time, email us!
Themed, Costume Events:
We are getting more mindful up in this b! We have curated a slate of themes for each month, along with some special salons coming your way soon. We want to become a little more playful and give the models more direction. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Sailor Moon theme? (spoiler alert).Shibari & Pole:
Last Wednesdays at The Oakland Grove! We are collaborating with Lief Bound and Mariela - to bring you this Shibari & Sketch series. Through a queer and bipoc lens, duh.
Yes, we are continuing with year 2 for Pole & Sketch at Monument on the Last Wednesdays, woooo!
Upcoming Events:
Figure Drawing Workshop
This immersive workshop is designed to equip artists with the skills to capture and celebrate various body types through the medium of graphite. Under the expert guidance of Michael Buffington, participants will work with a live model during both sessions, enhancing their observational abilities and understanding of line weight, form, and composition. Supplies are included for an extra $50.
📅 February 1st & 8th 2026
🕰️ 11am to 3pm
📍 995 Market Street, 6th Floor, SF
🎨 $250 tickets for both days / All ages and skill levels.
Valentine’s Day Art Market
Come join us for our first Art Market! We’ll have a special figure drawing event inside the venue, while we have a special, adults only Art Market in the larger ballrooms areas. We’ll have live music, live screenprinting, an art market, and great vibes. Come shop for the holidays and support local artists.
This is in partnership with The Oakland Grove, where we will have our Wednesday Evening Figure Drawing sessions!
📅 February 14th 2026
🕰️ 12pm to 4pm
📍 3630 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
🎨 Free to attend the Art Market.
Gouache Portrait Painting Workshop
This 2 day workshop is designed to equip artists with the skills to capture and celebrate various body types through the medium of gouache. Under the expert guidance of Franklin Lei, participants will work with a live model during both sessions, enhancing their observational abilities and understanding of the medium. Supplies are included for an extra $50.
📅 March 21st & 28th 2026
🕰️ 11am to 3pm
📍 447 Minna Street, San Francisco
🎨 $250 for both days / All ages and skill levels.
Local Events:
1. Our boy and team member Nathaniel Bice, is having a Solo Show in February at Queer Arts Featured on Castro Street from 5-9pm on 02/06/2026! Let’s pack the place!!
2. We’re developing a list of resources - like Call for artists, Grant Opportunities, and recommendations for some events we recommend. Check it out!
Local Opportunities:
Call For Artists and Vendors:
