Featured Artists
Since The Academy opened in 2017, we have been fortunate enough to work with a wide-ranging group of incredibly talented artists, and have continued to rotate artwork at our club at least a few times per year. Our focus is primarily on highlighting emerging local queer artists from diverse backgrounds.
If you are an artist interested in showcasing art at The Academy, please use the link below to visit our application page:
Fall / Winter 2024-2025
Works by Bill Samios
Bill Samios' colorfully elegant portrait and nature paintings provided vibrancy and intrigue during this extended showcase. https://www.billsamios.com
Winter / Spring 2024
Works by Simón Malvaez
Simón's "farewell to San Francisco" show was extremely well-received, featuring 15 of his pieces and a vibrant opening reception. https://simonmalvaez.com/
Summer 2023 - Present (East Wing)
SF LGBTQ+ Photography, from the GLBT Historical Society
Our latest East Wing collection features a diverse array of vintage photography highlighting San Francisco's rich LGBTQ+ cultural history, in partnership with the GLBT Historical Society.
Summer 2023
Celebrating Street & Mural Artists of San Francisco
This avant-garde showcase highlights the colorful and vibrant work of seven local artists who have literally transformed the look of our city.
Featured artists include:
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J. Manuel Carmona - @manuel165
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Xtopher J. McCutcheon - @mccutcheon_art
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Elliott C. Nathan - @elliottcnathan
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Jeremy Novy - @jeremynovy
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Simón Malvaez - @simonmalvaez
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Tanya Wischerath - @tanyawischerath
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Josh Katz - @jkatzart
Winter / Spring 2023
"Triptych"
by Mário Pires Cordeiro
A bold solo exhibit featuring Portuguese-American artist Mário Pires Cordeiro, who experiments with media and color as he explores the interaction between art and design, with a larger intention to comment on the interwoven relationship between visual art and functional objects.
Fall 2022
"The Leathermen Project" by Mike Ruiz
The world premiere of photographer Mike Ruiz's newest collection, "The Leathermen Project." Known for his work with celebrities from RuPaul to Beyoncé (and many more), Mike's latest work is "a time capsule that will keep the leather community’s rich history alive for future generations." www.mikeruiz.com
Summer 2022
Joe Enright Photography
A striking and colorful photography exhibit by San Francisco-based artist Joe Enright, on display June through September 2022.
Winter & Spring 2022
"Strapped" by Lea Magdangal
Inspired by the beautiful people who offered acceptance and resilience in the face of an epidemic in the 90s, Lea Magdangal has always paid homage to the figurative queer model. She is a native San Franciscan artist that captures the human figure and spirit in bold color and multiple mediums. www.lmagdangal.com
2021-2022
Isa Amalee
Artist Isa Amalee's second showcase at The Academy was a brand-new collection of paintingfeaturing whimsical portrayals of famous characters in music and pop culture, as well as still life works.
2021
Two Portrait Series by Nick Aitken
Artist Nick Aitken's two portrait series "Pretty Masculine" and "The Wallflowers" saw their world premiere at The Academy in early 2021. www.nickaitken.net
2020-2021
Makiko Harris
Artist Makiko Harris' works brightened the walls of The Academy throughout the darkest times during the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring several virtual gallery shows of her incredible multi media art.
2020
Simón Malvaez
Queer Latino artist Simón Malvaez, now very well-known for his mural works including at the SF LGBT Center, showcased many of his beautiful geometric pieces at The Academy in early 2020, including an in-depth artist talk. simonmalvaez.com
2019-2020
J. Manuel Carmona, Elliott Nathan, & Serge Gay Jr., curated by Juanita More
A trio of inspiring young artists, Juan Manuel Carmona, Elliott Nathan, and Serge Gay Jr. formed this stunning showcase in late 2019, curated by the legend herself, Juanita More.
2019
Second Cast
A collective of local ballet dancers developed "a series of drag photography that blends radical transformation with fine art," produced in a calendar format to benefit the LGBTQ Youth Center Lyric. Featured in the Speakeasy, the ehibit included large format prints of photographs from the calendar, and a memorable meet and greet with the artists and models. www.secondcast.org
2019
Isa Amalee
Artist Isa Amalee (amaleeart.com) showed for the first time at The Academy in 2019 to great acclaim. Known for her whimsical but intricately-detailed, textured portrayals of iconic artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Prince, this collection stood out in contrast to everything that came before it.
