Looking for something fun to do this weekend in a beautiful area of San Francisco?

Check out the 22nd annual Faculty and Alumni Fine Art Auction on Saturday, November 4, at The Cannery (2801 Leavenworth Street). A reception will begin at 2 p.m., and the auction begins at 3 p.m.

At the auction, you’ll be able to purchase some of the finest work created by San Francisco’s most popular artists to benefit students studying the fine arts right here at the Academy.

For a Good Cause

Half of the proceeds of each sale will go towards the Fine Art Student Scholarship Fund, with the remaining funds going directly to the artists themselves. Each spring, the Scholarship Fund awards the top students at the Academy’s annual student showcase with scholarships to help fund their education. Students can earn scholarship money by excelling in a variety of categories, ranging from fine art painting to sculpture and printmaking.

Sneak Peek

Want to see what’s there before Saturday? Feel free to take a stroll around The Cannery for a preview today and tomorrow (November 2 and 3) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. It’s free, and you’re guaranteed to see one-of-a-kind pieces available only at the auction!

A Fine Tradition

Since 1995, this historical auction has hosted some of San Francisco’s finest artists and their work. Started by Dr. Craig Nelson, Executive Director of Painting & Printmaking, School of Fine Art, the auction has grown well beyond the Academy’s established communities. Now, dozens of faculty members and alumni execute this event with great finesse by providing the artworks that drive this non-profit fundraising action yearly.

“Eighty-eight years ago, my grandfather established this school with the mission to support the creativity of emerging artists,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of The Academy. “Today, I invite you to continue this legacy by bidding on the works of some of the finest internationally known artists in San Francisco to help fund our students’ passions,” she added.

Building on the Academy’s tradition of making art studies available to anyone with a drive to pursue their creative dreams, this year’s auction will help yet another generation of artists fulfill their artistic aspirations. To date, the Academy scholarships have helped more than 45,000 emerging artists and designers pursue their educational goals in art and design.

These types of initiatives are becoming increasingly vital as many people with artistic talents are often unable to obtain a formal education due to the rising costs of higher education. The Academy firmly believes that ambitious individuals who are willing to work hard shouldn’t be intimidated by pricing and fees of obtaining a college degree—regardless of background.

“At Academy of Art University we want to teach the best of the best, but unfortunately some of the most talented individuals are unable to fulfill their ambitions due to financial circumstances that are out of their control,” added Stephens. “This is why I am proud to continue the school’s ambition of recruiting the most talented students, no matter circumstances.”

Can’t make it to the preview or the auction but still want to see work produced by the Academy’s faculty and alumni?

Interested in applying to become a student at the Academy?