Little Baobab

Battery Godfrey

Private Community House

Hosfelt Gallery

The Dojo

Third Space

The Faight

Queen of Hearts

Private Community House in Lower Haight, San Francisco

The Monument SF

Anoah Wang

Ruth's Table

The Continental Club, Oakland

Good Mother Gallery

Private Property Guerneville

Hiersoux  Gallery

Phoenix Hotel

MAG Galleries

Golden Sardine

The Center

Decentered Studio

Sluts

Michael Hruska

Page Street

The Chapel

The Ocean Room

Uzay Gallery

Victoria Theater

Ground Floor SF

Capitol Art

Mission Space

Alvar Jacomet’s Textures of San Francisco marks Decentered Studio’s Debut Show

Alvar Jacomet brings his textured paintings to San Francisco's newest community gallery. 

Decentered Arts is proud to launch our new gallery program at **Decentered Studio** by featuring the work of **Alvar Jacomet** (b. 1995, Los Angeles, California), an American-Argentinian figurative painter whose work transforms the familiar architecture of San Francisco into striking new forms. His show, Textures of San Francisco is the first to deck our walls.
Working primarily in acrylic, Alvar builds depth and dimension into his paintings with unexpected materials such as household objects, construction caulking, and textured surfaces that echo the city’s layered histories. His main subject matter often centers on San Francisco’s Victorian architecture, but through abstraction, distortion, and recomposition, his work becomes something more: an exploration of the city’s fragility and its constant transformation.
Alvar’s work has been exhibited at the **De Young Museum**, as well as at numerous Bay Area spaces including **Mothbelly Gallery** and **Strike Slip Gallery**. We are honored to present his work as the first featured artist at **Decentered Studio**, continuing a dialogue between local artists and the changing city we call home.
Textures of San Francisco is on view until October 8th. We are open for free coworking 11am-6ish 1175 Folsom, Monday to Thursday or you can view the show by appointment, just email [studio@decentered.org](mailto:studio@decentered.org) , we are very flexible and stoked to give you a tour. [Inventory and price list here. ](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:05c9746f-6972-4c64-b047-3339d38d68d5)View the show virtually [here.](https://photos.app.goo.gl/i1E1Ed3syhP4zB387) 
### Q&A

Q: What draws you to San Francisco’s Victorian architecture?
A: I think the Victorian’s facade has a very lego-esque geometry to it. That’s how they were built originally, you’d select this or that unique piece of molding and they’d be attached together. Using photoshop, I crop up the houses into shapes I find interesting, and then collage them together. I also just think they’re also very fun to look at, you can catch little stories of people’s lives from a walk past their window, or there may be a cat judging you. 

Q: What story about San Francisco do you hope your paintings tell?
A: I like to reflect on how we give this city so much permanence as it currently is, even though it’s still so young and sitting on a giant faultline. All of this while leading in so many industries with increasingly intangible but global influence and power. 

Q: How has living and working in San Francisco shaped your perspective as an artist?
A: The architecture has definitely shaped my perspective for several years now. It’s also where I found a painting teacher that worked for me and also gave me so much momentum to work from. Those 2 things have really been the foundation for my art career so far. 

Q: What makes SF’s art scene unique vs. other cities? 
A:  It’s a teeny-tiny city so you end up meeting friends of friends at all the art functions and communities can grow and combine with others very quickly. The community is also very receptive to it, you can find wallspace in all sorts of local businesses if you look for it. 

### **Artist Statement**
_“We are always in dialogue with the built environment, negotiating the tension between the enduring and the ephemeral. My current body of work explores this tension, seeking to capture the dynamic interplay between the built environment and its slow but inexorable changes.”_
Over the past three years, Alvar has developed a body of work that disassembles and reimagines San Francisco’s iconic architectural motifs. By collecting modular elements—often drawn from the bay windows and ornate façades of Victorian homes—he rebuilds them into new landscapes and narratives. Windows become story frames; warped lines reveal the pressures of time. By incorporating construction materials like caulking, the city’s unstable geography seeps into each canvas, making the structures feel both permanent and precarious.
📸 Follow Alvar’s work:[ @alvar.jacomet](https://www.instagram.com/alvar.jacomet)
📧 Contact: jacovarius@gmail.com
### **Curator’s Note**
Decentered’s previous visual art show took place at Uzay Gallery. _T[he Journey “Home”](https://decentered.org/events/2025-06-06-the-journey-home-maya-tohidi)_[ by Maya Tohidi](https://decentered.org/events/2025-06-06-the-journey-home-maya-tohidi), was a deliberate and heartfelt farewell to both Uzay Gallery and The Center SF. At that moment, Maya and I were each losing homes that had shaped our daily lives: she was displaced from The Center’s residence, and I was being displaced from Uzay Gallery, a Mission live/work space occupied by creatives since the 1990s, after five years as master tenant. The ripple effects were enormous, nearly 30 people were displaced between both residences and The Center SF tea bar, which had long hosted our open mic, closed shortly after, leaving a massive void in the community. _The Journey “Home”_ became both a lament for what was lost and a love letter to these spaces and their people.
Through luck, persistence, and the generosity of the community, we were able to open Decentered Studio, a new space where art and community could once again converge. When we first encountered Alvar’s work at [The Faight Collective](https://www.thefaight.com/)’s creative lounge—the same place where our open mic found refuge after The Center’s closure—we immediately knew he was the right artist to inaugurate this chapter. His show_ Textures of San Francisco_, with its layered reflections on homes, architecture, and transformation, felt like the natural bridge between what we had lost and what we were building anew.
Maya’s show closed one door with tenderness and grief; Alvar’s opens another with resilience and gratitude. Together they bookend a difficult transition, carrying us from displacement to renewal. Decentered Studio is our new home, and we’re honored to break it in with Alvar’s vision. A reminder that while spaces shift, our community endures and remakes itself.




Decentered’s Bay Area Survival Guide

Decentered’s Bay Area Survival Guide is a living resource offering practical strategies for affordable housing, free resources, gig work, and community support across the Bay Area. Rooted in mutual aid and firsthand experience, it highlights ways to find belonging, sustain creativity, and access help in one of the country’s most expensive regions.

Litquake in collaboration with Decentered Arts 

“Dear ferocious dreamer. Dear maven of song and surveyor of every flung star. Dear meandering romantic, audacious witness, dear listener with the whole of your covetous heart.” So begins **Patricia Smith**’s invocation poem that will ground us in the here-and-now on the penultimate night of Litquake 2025. Litquake invites you in alongside poets **Mia Ayumi Malhotra**, **Achy Obejas**, **Matthew Zapruder**, and **Gabriel Cortez** to bear witness to the beauty and resiliency of our words and community at the Mission’s historic Victoria Theater. Doors at 6:45pm. **Pay what you can to guarantee a seat; FREE to walk- ups (space depending)**

Poets, writers, and creatives come early and stay late to get a free creative headshot taken by pro photographer Michelle Castillo at the **Decentered Arts photobooth**. Poets will have the opportunity to participate in the _Pulse of Poetry in the Bay Area_ coffee table book—a unique publication opportunity, archiving our community.


Dear Ferocious Dreamer: A Festival Finale in Verse

Litquake invites you in alongside poets Mia Ayumi Malhotra, Achy Obejas, Matthew Zapruder, and Gabriel Cortez to bear witness to the beauty and resiliency of our words and community at the Mission’s historic Victoria Theater.

Welcome to Decentered Open Mic, a space where you can shine your light, exorcise your demons and give others a glimpse into your corner of the universe. Music, poetry, storytelling or any art forms yet to be born on our stage, all are welcome. Join us every Tuesday at 7pm.


Decentered Open Mic

Our multi-genre open mic features everything from poetry to stand up comedy, music, films and more. Every Tuesday at The Faight, join us!

On an evening in mid-October the Phoenix Hotel hosted the Poolside Poets Anthology Launch.

Guests came dressed in their best "Dress to Impress"

Think: sequined blazers and silk gowns, sharp suits with bold prints, velvet tuxedos, statement heels and dramatic coats, feathered fascinators, glittered makeup and slicked-back hair, satin slip dresses with chunky boots, tailored jackets over slip skirts, bold colors with classic black, jewel-toned suits and theatrical accessories — mix & match: silk, velvet, sequins, brocade, tulle, leather, metallics, whatever screamed celebration

Featured Poets: Tongo Eisen-Martin, Tucker Bryant, Rhea Joseph, Lorrie Change, Liz Cahill, Drew Sage, Eyra Dordi, Charlie Getter, Char Lacsina, Alex Miller

Featured Musician: Elijah Malik ( Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/2WLfCdBLX8d9BTrE0K9bjT?si=lFymly6gRtmNEJFtwFFtCg> )

Dancers: Erica Knox & Tobias Echeverria


Poolside Poets 20 Litquake and Anthology Launch

Poolside Poets turned two! We had a special evening planned with Litquake and celebrated the launch of our anthology.

Decentered Arts opened our studio's doors for 14 artists for ArtSpan Open Studios. It was an incredible experience working with each artist and welcoming friends, neighbors and the general public to our studio. 

Artspan has been bringing the work of local artists to the public for 51 years.

Thank you artists: Aaron Chan, Abby Klinkenberg, Amadeo Vibat, Ana Mangold, Ankita Sancheti, Ashleigh Castro, Audrey Mohan, Belinda Huang, Chloe Lubinski, Dana Boyko, Julie Topp, Pooja Sathyanarayanan, Priyatam Mudivarti, Sheila Metcalf-Tobin.

Photography Manas Singh @theportraittale


Artspan Open Studios

Decentered Arts hosted Artspan Open Studios

The October edition of _Gen Blend_ brought writers and neighbors together for an evening of community, creativity, and shared food at Ruth’s Table. Hosted by Liz Cahill and Jessica Kie McCallum, the event featured readings by **Mary Graves**, **Carl Weiner**, **Daphne Gottlieb**, and **Barbara Handler**, each offering distinct reflections on memory, family, love and personal growth.

After the readings, **Spandan Rath**, a classically trained tabla artist, filled the room with rhythm and warmth, bridging generations through sound before the night transitioned into the open mic. Guests shared original poems and short pieces under the guidance of the Decentered Arts hosts, closing the evening with conversation, snacks, and gratitude.

_Gen Blend_ continues monthly on the first Thursday, nurturing an intergenerational community of writers and listeners in San Francisco’s Mission District. The event is a collaboration between [Ruths Table](https://www.ruthstable.org/), [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/) and the [Litquake Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject). 



Gen Blend October 2025

An intergenerational writer's potluck and open mic. Every first Thursday at Ruth's Table.

Thriving Together: AI Tools for Creative Community Success

On September 30, 2025, Decentered Arts Studio came alive with creative energy as artists, makers, and entrepreneurs gathered for Thriving Together, an immersive workshop exploring how simple AI tools could transform their creative practices.

Led by creative technologist Lem Canady and educator-performer Joon Kim, the evening wove together art and innovation, showing participants how mobile-first AI tools could automate marketing tasks—writing captions, designing posts, even running ads—so they could focus on what they loved most: creating.

Through hands-on demos and guided practice, attendees discovered how these apps could act as personal marketing teams in their pockets. Conversations sparked about reclaiming time, growing audiences, and building thriving creative communities without needing any tech background.

More than just a tech tutorial, the workshop became a celebration of collaboration and possibility—where artists learned to harness new tools not to replace their creativity, but to amplify it.


Thriving Together: AI Tools for Creative Community Success

Artists and dreamers harnessed pocket-sized AI magic, transforming marketing drudgery into creative freedom and collaborative momentum.


On September 29th, Decentered Studio came alive to celebrate the debut of Jessica Kie McCallum’s poetry collection, _Yang Sayang_. Friends, family, and community members gathered for an evening of art, poetry, and conversation in honor of this landmark publication from Decentered Press.
The evening opened with live music by Nic Hampton—who also designed the book’s striking cover—setting the tone for what followed. A lineup of powerful poetry readings by Connie Lin, Lilly Shi, and Lorrie Change brought their unique voices to the stage before the spotlight shifted to Jess, who shared selections from _Yang Sayang_.
The program continued with a lively Q&A featuring members of the publishing team—Rhea Joseph, Liz Cahill, and Ben Draffin—who discussed the book’s journey to publication. The night closed with a book signing, where attendees had the chance to connect with Jess personally and leave with signed copies of _Yang Sayang_.
Guests dined on Indonesian snacks catered by Dakota (@kamu\_siapa\_kitchen), and Jessica's famous coconut sticky rice Mia Terracotta captured the warmth and beauty of the evening in her lense. The book is available for purchace [here](https://decentered.org/books). 


Yang Sayang by Jessica Kie McCallum Book Launch

Jessica Kie McCallum's debut poetry book Yang Sayang launched on decentered press. This was also the first solo book published off Decentered Press. 

Join us for the first clothing swap at Decentered Studio. This swap series is called Tectonic Threads because the idea is to unite friends from both sides of The Bay.

How does a clothing swap work? Bring clothing you want to pass on or just bring yourself (it's not required to bring things). Peruse other items people have brought and take as much as you'd like. It's not a 1-1 swap. We always have leftovers.

Q: Do I need to bring clothes?
A: No there are ususaly more than enough.

Q: Is it a 1-1 Swap?
A: Nope, Help Yourself.

Q: What type of clothes will be there?
A: We'd like to have options for all bodies and gender expressions, a good chunk will be femme clothes.

Q: Can I bring items beyond clothing?
A: Accessories, household items, makeup, skincare and anything else you want to gift skew towards nice items. If you bring non-clothing stuff - help us out by taking it back if it doesn't get claimed. We've spent hours of our time rehomeing a bunch of random items post swap - no more!

Consider joining the Free Clothing San Francisco Facebook Group! **<https://www.facebook.com/groups/405524025187120>**

It's also SOMA Nights around the corner on 1145 Folsom St. party hopping encouraged. <3 **<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soma-nights-under-construction-tickets-1677654813709?aff=oddtdtcreator>**


Tectonic Threads 10 Clothing Swap

Join us for the first clothing swap at Decentered Studio. This swap series is called Tectonic Threads because the idea is to unite friends from both sides of The Bay.

Decentered Studio Launch Party – September 12, 2025

Decentered Arts unveiled its new gallery and community space in SoMa with a vibrant launch party. Guests explored artwork by Alvar Jacomet, swayed to live music by Tasha Malan, and danced into the night with a DJ set from Maryzelle. The evening marked the beginning of a new creative home for artists and community gatherings in San Francisco.


Decentered Studio Opening Party

Artists, dreamers, and dancers christened Decentered Studio’s SoMa home with bold art, live beats, and unforgettable San Francisco flair.

Gen Blend: A monthly intergenerational writers potluck and open mic

**Every First Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30pm**
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free
Join Decentered Arts and our partners [Ruth's Table](https://www.ruthstable.org/), [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), [Adobe Books](https://www.adobebooks.com/), and [Litquake's Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject.html) for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes.

This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.

**Visitor Guidelines: **Face masks are optional.
**Access: **Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible.
**ASL Interpretation: **ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required.

**Registration: **_Free and open to all. [RSVP here](mailto:contact@ruthstable.org?subject=RSVP%20For%20Gen%20Blend&body=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20RSVP%20for%20Gen%20Blend%20on%20Thursday%208%2F8%20at%205%3A30-7%3A30pm.%20Name(s)%3A)._

**Donate: **The program is free, donations are welcome.

Support our mission further by making a tax deductible donation to DCA:
<https://givebutter.com/decentered>

**Support the Arts**

At Decentered Arts we believe in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achive this we produce Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more to come!
Your support helps us keep this up and dream bigger.

[Donate](https://givebutter.com/decentered)



	Gen Blend September 2025

On an evening in mid-August the Phoenix Hotel hosted our 19th Pooslide Poets. 

Guests came dressed in their best "Walk of Shame"
Think: disheveled glam, club top and sweatpants, slip dress and sneakers, messy bun, one earring, sunglasses indoors, flannel over sequins, heels with gym shorts, trench coat over pajamas, yesterday’s makeup, wet hair, hoodie and mini skirt, neon with fur, lingerie as outerwear, suit pants no shirt, oversized blazer and bare legs, socks and sandals, bedhead and smudged eyeliner, crocs with fishnets, morning-after eyes, last night’s outfit reimagined, regret couture, mix & match: satin, flannel, mesh, leather, denim, silk, whatever survived the night

Featured Poets: Carlos Quinteros III, Elijah Madnewton, Heather Gibbons, Jennifer Elizabeth, Liam Clickenger, London Pinkney, May-Li Khoe, MH Lopez, Niambi Walker, Nicole Rose Schoonbrood

Featured Musician: FREQz **<https://www.instagram.com/freqzzzz/?hl=en>**

Dancers: Erica Knox & Ai Yin


Poolside Poets August 2025

An evening of beautifully disheveled fun. 

Gen Blend: A Monthly Intergenerational Writers Potluck and Open Mic

Every First Thursday | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free

Decentered Arts, together with Ruth's Table, Community Living Campaign, Adobe Books, and Litquake's Elder Project, hosted this inspirational event. It featured writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and community members who joined in. Limited Open Mic time was available for pieces under three minutes.

The gathering was free and potluck-style. Guests brought food to share, beverages were provided, and each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir was offered as a generous contribution to the potluck.

Visitor guidelines stated that face masks were optional.
Ruth’s Table gallery and the adjacent green space were wheelchair accessible.
ASL interpretation was available upon request with 72-hour notice.

Registration was free and open to all. Donations were welcomed to support the program.

At Decentered Arts, we believed in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achieve this, we produced Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more. Community support allowed us to sustain these offerings and dream even bigger.


Gen Blend August 2025

On an evening in mid-July the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Retro Romance"

Think: Gatsby glitz and red lips, swaying fringe and beaded silhouettes, vintage waistlines, feathered headpieces, drop-waist dresses with chunky heels, velvet suits and pocket watches, fringe skirts with platform sandals, powdered cheeks and dramatic liner, sequined shawls over thrifted coats, pearl chokers with leather jackets — mix & match: satin, fringe, beading, velvet, tulle, sequins, lace, denim, whatever felt glamorous and nostalgic

Featured Poets: Rhea Joseph, Juliane Roberts-Hansen, Nicole Rose Schoonbrood, Nes Hafsa, Mary Evans, Izara Achamyalesh, Mariket Mayeno, Joshua Reyes

Featured Musician: Tasha Malan (Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/3GRhNGSo9XSH5QyogIA8b9?si=VWTvUdeKSnyiS_2pQk78Fg> )

Dancers: Remi Blakesley & Kai Hannigan


Poolside Poets July 2025

Gatsby glam kissed poetic passion poolside. Guests swayed in fringe and verse, draped in vintage dreams and feathered fire. 


Gen Blend July 2025

Sweet Beginnings: Poetreats Launch Party

On June 12, a warm and whimsical evening unfolded as friends gathered to celebrate the launch of Poetreats — a dream project by Anna that paired artisanal cookies with audio poetry for a nourishing, multi-sensory experience.

Born from a desire to combine somatic practice with art, food, and joy, Poetreats blossomed over six months into a celebration of mindfulness and community.

Guests arrived to the scent of fresh cookies and the sound of laughter before settling in for poetry readings by Shiv Srivastava, Rhea Joseph, and the event’s first Featured Poet, Savinay Nangalia.

The evening was cozy, heartfelt, and delicious — a true sweet beginning.


Poetreats

Cookies met poetry in a multisensory feast of sweetness, softness, and spirit. Guests savored verses with every bite.

Art Exhibit: The Journey 'Home'
Friday, June 6
7:00pm – 10:00pm

Decentered Arts and Uzay Gallery presented The Journey 'Home', a powerful solo exhibition by Maya (Maryam) Tohidi. Marking the final show at Uzay Gallery before losing its long-held space, the evening served as both a celebration and a farewell.

Tohidi’s work reflected a deeply personal exploration of displacement and belonging—tracing her journey from childhood in Iran, immigration to Canada, the closure of her San Francisco home, and the ongoing search for new roots. Mixed-media works, layered with personal writings, poetry, and objects, combined English and Farsi text with Persian rug motifs—sometimes used to obscure pain, sometimes to reweave new narratives of hope.

Constructed from home-improvement materials and crafted both in-studio and during a residency at Uzay, the pieces embodied labor, transformation, and resilience. They honored cultural tradition while embracing the instability and beauty of evolving identity.

The night was scored by DJ Rev. Hooman, who filled the gallery with mystical sounds—melodic house, deep rhythms, and tribal beats shaped by Middle Eastern and Latin influences.

The event marked both an ending and a beginning: a farewell to Uzay’s physical space, and a symbolic leap toward future definitions of "home."


The Journey 'Home' Maya Tohidi

Rugs wept, memories bloomed—guests wandered through home’s unraveling thread as Rev. Hooman’s mystical beats summoned belonging.

Gen Blend: A Monthly Intergenerational Writers Potluck and Open Mic

Every First Thursday | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free

Decentered Arts, together with Ruth's Table, Community Living Campaign, Adobe Books, and Litquake's Elder Project, hosted this inspirational gathering. It featured writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and community members who stepped up to share at the open mic. Limited time was available for pieces under three minutes.

The evening was free and potluck-style. Participants brought food to share, and beverages were available. Each month, a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir was offered as a generous contribution to the community table.

Visitor guidelines noted that face masks were optional.
Ruth’s Table gallery and the adjacent green space were wheelchair accessible.
ASL interpretation was available with 72-hour notice.

The program was free and open to all, with RSVPs encouraged. Donations were welcomed to support Decentered Arts’ mission.

At Decentered Arts, we believed in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To carry this vision forward, we produced Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more. Community support helped us sustain these programs and dream even bigger.


Gen Blend June 2025

We hosted the talent show at a beautiful DIY festival put on by some friends in the community. 


Mercury Mine Monster

The Decentered Team took a break from city life and retreated to a beautiful property in Guerneville where some friends were throwing a DIY festival.  

On an evening in May the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Dreamscape"

Think: flowing chiffon and shadowy velvet, ethereal tulle with leather accents, gauzy capes and dramatic eyeliner, moonlit slip dresses, deconstructed suiting, sheer layers over structured corsets, cloud-soft knits with metallic boots, surreal makeup and trompe-l’oeil florals—mix & match: chiffon, velvet, lace, leather, tulle, metallics, mesh, whatever felt dreamlike or deliciously nightmarish

Featured Poets: Liz Cahill, Anoah East Wang, Joseph Kidney, Philip Staley, Willy, Zoellen, Emlen Metz, Pasich, Alexandra Kostoulas, Angelica La Marca, Eliza Alma Ramazzini

Featured Musician: Noah Solt & Xiao Zhang ( Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ahNmULLhWIi6zVFJl2MYp?si=VxpPCOWpSmy6ycQhVpdsXA> )

Dancers: Remi Blakesley & Erica Knox


Poolside Poets May 2025

Poets bloomed in dream world glam—guests floated in chiffon, nightmares, and neon while dancers and soundscapes dissolved the Phoenix into fantasy.


"Hand Jobs" – Megan Mackey Art Exhibition

On May 9th, 2025, artist Megan Mackey hosted \*Hand Jobs\*, an anti-pretentious art exhibition dedicated entirely to the body part we see the most: hands.

Held in celebration of Mackey’s birthday, the evening invited guests to revel in playful surrealism, cheeky wordplay, and perhaps a bit of **subLIMBinal** messaging. True to her Dadaist ethos, Mackey refused to explain her pieces, urging viewers to **_finger it out_** for themselves.

The exhibition featured works that danced between the absurd and the sensual—some NSFW—making it a night for adult eyes only. Attendees mingled over drinks and food, their presence and donations fueling the night’s festivities.

This celebration of surreal, self-aware art was made possible with support from Decentered Arts, building community through art in all forms.



Hand Jobs - Megan Mackey

Guests fingered their way through surreal, sultry hand art—cheeky, NSFW, and defiantly Dada—at Megan Mackey’s irreverent birthday bash.

Gen Blend: A Monthly Intergenerational Writers Potluck and Open Mic

Every First Thursday | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free

Decentered Arts, together with Ruth's Table, Community Living Campaign, Adobe Books, and Litquake's Elder Project, hosted this inspirational event. It featured writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and audience members who joined the open mic. Limited slots were available for pieces under three minutes.

The gathering was free and potluck-style, with participants bringing food to share. Each month, Amirali Mir contributed a delectable culinary creation as a generous offering to the community table. Beverages were also provided.

Visitor guidelines noted that face masks were optional.
Ruth’s Table gallery and the adjacent green space were wheelchair accessible.
ASL interpretation was available with 72 hours’ notice.

The program was free and open to all, with RSVP encouraged. Donations were welcomed to support Decentered Arts’ mission.

At Decentered Arts, we believed in building resilient community through art in all its forms. To nurture this vision, we produced Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more. Community support helped us keep creating and continue dreaming bigger.


Gen Blend May 2025

J.EHREN FASHION SHOW
 Saturday, April 26
 6:30pm – 10:00pm PT
On a sultry spring night at the Phoenix Hotel, fashion designer Joey Ehren (j.ehren) unveiled a bold, immersive runway experience—where dreams met silver hardware, corset lacing, and upcycled futurism. The show pulsed with energy as models strutted through a world built from Natalia Stardust’s creative direction and Kelsie Jones’s striking runway design.
After the runway dazzled, DJs billlyd123 and femme.natale took over, turning the space into a confident, clubby afterglow.
The production was led by a powerhouse team, including MUA Torrey Bernal, Paul Reginato, and Liz Cahill, all in collaboration with Decentered Arts.
Confidence was the only dress code—and guests delivered.


j.ehren at the Phoenix Hotel

Gleaming eyelets, corseted chaos, and post-apocalyptic glamour—guests SLAYED in upcycled powerwear at j.ehren’s dream-drenched runway rave.

Welcome to Decentered Open Mic, a space where you can shine your light, exorcise your demons and give others a glimpse into your corner of the universe. Music, poetry, storytelling or any art forms yet to be born on our stage, all are welcome. Join us every Sunday at 6pm.


Our multi-genre open mic features everything from poetry to stand up comedy, music, films and more. Every Sunday at The Center SF, join us!

On an evening in spring the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Superbloom"

Think: groundbreaking florals, petal-strewn slips and maxi blooms, corsage corsets, crown-of-daisies fascinators, tulle layered with wildflower prints, prairie dresses with combat boots, neon botanicals, embroidered garden jackets, chiffon ruffles and platform sandals, floral headpieces and vine-like jewelry, painted petal makeup, sundress with metallic boots — mix & match: silk, chiffon, lace, tulle, embroidery, sequins, denim, leather, whatever smelled like spring

Featured Poets: Rhea Joseph, Liz Cahill, Lucía Arrocha, Malcolm Squire, Maurice Vee, Sarai Schwartz, Ben Bernthal, Jelal Huyler, Jessica O'Brien, Krti T, Lauren Parker

Featured Musician: King Isis ( Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/7jz1wM1NdiskFWrlosZhVw?si=g0-uY5R4Sn-jTWd2922ZUQ> )

Dancers: Remi Blakesley & Noga Alpert


Poolside Poets April 2025

Botanical babes bloomed in wild florals while poets, dancers, and musicians turned the Phoenix Hotel into a springtime fever dream.


Hah Couture Dress Up Party
 Friday, April 11
 7:00pm – 11:00pm PT
Friends gathered at Uzay Gallery to celebrate Hah Holton’s return to San Francisco—just in time for her birthday. The evening featured a trunk show of her iconic wearable art, a Champagne toast, and a sweet spread of strawberries. Guests dressed to the nines in playful fits, honoring Hah’s bold, painterly style.
The $10 NOTAFLOF cover flowed freely into endless bubbly, with remaining funds donated to Junior High LA in support of community programming and fire relief.
It was a night of celebration, art, and sparkle—true to Hah’s colorful, creative spirit.


Hah Couture Dress Up Party

Champagne flowed, strawberries popped, and guests WORE their wildest couture to toast Hah Holton’s return in jaw-dropping, hand-painted glam.

The April edition of Gen Blend brought writers and neighbors together for an evening of community, creativity, and shared food at Ruth’s Table. Hosted by Liz Cahill and Rhea Joseph, the event featured readings by Paul Reginato, Beth MacLeod, Lauren Parker, and Tanna Bellia, each offering distinct reflections on memory, family, love and personal growth.



After the readings, Anoah East Wang an artist, producer, and creator on a mission to make timeless music with his best friends, filled the room with rhythm and warmth, bridging generations through sound before the night transitioned into the open mic. . 

Guests shared original poems and short pieces under the guidance of the Decentered Arts hosts, closing the evening with conversation, snacks, and gratitude.



Gen Blend continues monthly on the first Thursday, nurturing an intergenerational community of writers and listeners in San Francisco’s Mission District. The event is a collaboration between [Ruths Table](https://www.ruthstable.org/), [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), Decentered Arts, the [Litquake Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject) and [Golden Sardine.](https://www.goldensardinesf.com/)



Gen Blend April 2025

On an evening the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Denim on Denim"

Think: double denim combos, jean jacket and jorts, bedazzled denim tops with denim gowns, cutoff shorts with denim trench, denim corset over a slip, patchwork jeans with sequins, oversized trucker jacket and mini skirt, denim shirt tied at the waist, denim blazer with bare legs, distressed jeans and silk blouses, hooded denim vests with combat boots, denim overalls reimagined as eveningwear, denim-on-denim mismatches, thrifted denim with metallic accents, jean shorts with tights, socks and sandals with denim, layered jean pieces and leather, lace under denim, whatever survived the wash

Featured Poets: Ladi Rev, Rhea Joseph, Papi Grande, LexThePen, Meg, Curandera Frida, Tera da poet, Shane King Zackery, Tucker Bryant, Tawo, ThaIllNai, Meg.

Featured Musician: Unorthodox Free Order aka UFO (Music: <https://linktr.ee/UFO1111>)

Dancers: Remi Blakesley & Erica Knox


Poolside Poets March 2025

Poets took the stage in head-to-toe denim—frayed, glittered, and reimagined—turning the Phoenix into a blue-jean dreamscape.

Gen Blend: A monthly intergenerational writers potluck and open mic

**Every First Thursday  |  5:30 - 7:30pm**
Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free
Join Decentered Arts and our partners [Ruth's Table](https://www.ruthstable.org/), [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), [Adobe Books](https://www.adobebooks.com/), and [Litquake's Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject.html) for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes. 

This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.

**Visitor Guidelines: **Face masks are optional.
**Access: **Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible. 
**ASL Interpretation:  **ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required. 

**Registration:  **_Free and open to all. [RSVP here](mailto:contact@ruthstable.org?subject=RSVP%20For%20Gen%20Blend&body=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20RSVP%20for%20Gen%20Blend%20on%20Thursday%208%2F8%20at%205%3A30-7%3A30pm.%20Name(s)%3A)._

**Donate: **The program is free, donations are welcome. 

Support our mission further by making a tax deductible donation to DCA:
<https://givebutter.com/decentered>

**Support the Arts**

At Decentered Arts we believe in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achive this we produce Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more to come!
Your support helps us keep this up and dream bigger.

[Donate](https://givebutter.com/decentered)



Gen Blend March 2025

Decentered Writers Group Anthology #1 Launch – Feb 13
On February 13, Decentered Arts celebrated the launch of its first book, _Writers Group Anthology Vol. 1_, with an intimate gathering at Page Street, generously hosted by Janis Newman. The evening featured reflections on the bookmaking process, an editors' talk, and powerful performances by several featured writers.
The night also marked the release of _Voices of Western Wind_, a spoken word album born from Decentered’s weekly writers group. Attendees mingled, shared inspiration, and picked up copies of the anthology, adorned with cover art by Cole Skaggs (@SuperxFancy). The event highlighted Decentered Arts’ mission to build community through multi-disciplinary creative expression.


Decentered Writers Group Anthology #1 Launch

Writers took the mic and the page—celebrating grief, joy, and weirdness in a book born from weekly creative ritual.

Gen Blend February 2025

Bay Area Poets - Decentered Arts is partnering with photographer Michelle Castillo and The Golden Sardine to offer free professional poet headshots to the community and a special opportunity to participate in a "coffee table style" photobook.

<https://michellecastillo.co/> and @neonicreative

6:30-9:30 Nov 4th - drop by sometime in this window (shots won't take that long). Feel free to mingle before and after but we will move people to the parklet if it gets crowded.

Dress in something that you feel your best self in. What represents you? What would your friends recognize you in? No need to be "fancy".

Snacks to share and potluck food are welcome.

Please keep this invitation to poets only. We love everyone but this is a special moment for poets.

Mingle and hang out while you wait for your turn to shoot. We are trying this idea out for the first time so let's see how it goes! It may be total chaos! We will learn real time.

The Golden Sardine is closed to the public on Mondays. Andrew and Caitlyn have kindly opened the doors for us on their day off. This is a real treat.

We are also endeavoring to publish a "coffee table" style photobook of poets who want to participate. This artifact is meant to highlight poets in the Bay Area now Our Generation. You can sign up to be a part of this now or day of. We intend to publish Creative Commons style so everything can be used elsewhere without our permission.


Poet Headshots

Bay Area Poets - Decentered Arts is partnering with photographer Michelle Castillo and The Golden Sardine to offer free professional poet headshots to the community and a special opportunity to participate in a "coffee table style" photobook.

J.EHREN x Piles of SF: A Garbage Age Runway (GA)** **took place on January 25 at MAG Galleries, closing out the _Art and Fashion in the Garbage Age_ exhibit with a bold statement—runway fashion made entirely from San Francisco street trash.
The evening featured two runway walks of the same set of looks, crafted by designer J.EHREN and presented by Piles Collective. Guests gathered outside the gallery on 18th Street for the general admission standing show, while a select few experienced an immersive, seated view inside.
Live music by Taiwanese-American artist Roziht filled the space between shows, adding a moody, textural layer to the night. As a multi-instrumentalist and improviser, her performance amplified the experimental, boundary-pushing energy of the event.
Donations supported the artists, and the evening served as a celebration of repurposing, creativity, and street-born couture in the heart of San Francisco.


Piles Garbage Age Fashion and Art Finale

Trash turned couture on the catwalk! Guests watched runway looks made from SF street garbage strut with glam, grit, and guts.

On an evening in mid-January the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Darkness Lifts Softly"

Think: lacy floor-length gowns and tactile velvet coats, sheer slips under oversized trenches, tactile lace with chunky boots, long chiffon layers and leather corsets, dramatic collars and soft gloves, floor-skimming skirts with combat soles, crochet capes and satin hoodies, feathered shawls with sturdy boots, tactile knit wraps and metallic accents, textured layers, muted noir palette with surprising shimmer—mix & match: lace, velvet, chiffon, knit, leather, satin, mesh, whatever felt soft, bold, and ready to rise

Featured Poets: Liz Cahill, Drew Sage, Rhea Joseph, Esperanza, Mr. Beal, Tifa Love, Vika, JR Rice, J. Enrique Martinez.

Featured Musician: Animal Prince (Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FiNgS5mawvNhPpOn00Qnp?si=O1Dyy-AaTSyJm4mwtirAjQ>)

Dancers: Nehemiah Aldrich, Erica Knox


Poolside Poets January 2025

Goth fairies in lace swayed through candlelight as poets whispered new year spells—guests WORE softness like armor and ritual.

Gen Blend January 2025

The Garbage Age Fashion and Art opening reception took place on January 3 at MAG Galleries, launching a month-long exploration of beauty in waste. Presented by Piles Collective and MAG, the exhibit showcased garments, jewelry, sculptures, and furniture crafted from San Francisco street trash, alongside haunting still life photographs of discarded objects.

Artists Juliane Roberts Hansen, Joey Ehrenberg, Liz Cahill, Paul Reginato, Kelsie Jones, and Edie Trautwein reimagined urban debris into elegance, joined by contributions from Amieliana Rivero and Samantha Alexa. Paula Karolak accompanied the evening with a live viola performance.

The exhibit was followed by a series of community-focused events, including artist talks, upcycled textile workshops, and a runway show celebrating sustainable fashion.


Piles Fashion and Art in the Garbage Age

Guests flaunted couture from the curb—trash turned treasure in a decadent runway of urban decay, glammed-up grit, and repurposed radiance.

Join Ruth’s Table and our partners [Community Living Campaign](https://sfcommunityliving.org/), [Decentered Arts](https://decentered.org/), and [Litquake's Elder Project](https://www.litquake.org/elderproject.html) for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes. This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.
**Visitor Guidelines: **Face masks are optional.
**Access: **Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible. 
**ASL Interpretation:  **ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required. 

**Registration:  **_Free and open to all. [RSVP here](mailto:contact@ruthstable.org?subject=RSVP%20For%20Gen%20Blend&body=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20RSVP%20for%20Gen%20Blend%20on%20Thursday%208%2F8%20at%205%3A30-7%3A30pm.%20Name(s)%3A)._

**Donate: **The program is free, donations are welcome. 


Gen Blend: Intergenerational Writers Potluck January 2025

Join our vibrant literary potluck at Ruth's Table, featuring diverse writers of all ages sharing their work! Enjoy open mic sessions, delicious food, and community connection. Free event, all welcome!

j.ehren returns with a very special (and cvnt) runway show. Come and have a drink (lol bring bc its byob), enjoy some music and die for the fashion. Presenting a handful of runway exclusive looks, we hope to add a little sparkle to your season before things get crazy <3

Schedule:
Doors: 7:00 PM
Runway: 8:00 PM
Afters: 8:30-11:00 pm

DISCLAIMER doors WILL be shut during the show, so please for the love of god show up before 8:00 PM. Otherwise no one will be around to let you in.

music: TBA

Location: Capitol Art

Dresscode: Cunty Claus !!! Bring us your campiest cuntiest santa claus (or winter) inspired outfit, so you can live that mean girls fantasy with us! But don't forget, a ho ho ho, never gets cold.

Joey Ehren (j.ehren) is a San Francisco-based fashion designer exploring utilitarian cut and sew methods. Their work frequently uses eyelets, silver embellishments, and corset-style lacing with up-cycled materials.


Tickets:
$25 till December 12th
$30 December 13th
$35 day of

Production Team:
Jules Roberts-Hansen - Creative Direction @777jules
Kelsie Jones - Runway design and jewelry @kj\_lynn\_
Paul Reginato: Production @paulreginato
Liz Cahill: Production @liz.cahll

Interested in volunteering? Exact needs are TBD but we will be in touch, sign up here. <https://forms.gle/EVC5pzMpaLVQdsyH7>

\*door will be checking for tickets so don’t scam\*


	j.ehren Holiday Show

j.ehren returns with a very special (and cvnt) runway show. Come and have a drink (lol bring bc its byob), enjoy some music and die for the fashion. Presenting a handful of runway exclusive looks, we hope to add a little sparkle to your season before things get crazy <3

Gen Blend December 2024

On an evening in late November the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.

Guests came dressed in their best "Be a Tree"

Think: mossy shawls and bark-toned coats, leaf crowns with thrifted jackets, branch-like necklaces, fern-print skirts with combat boots, root-colored knits layered over floral saris, twig braids and earthy face paint, stacked textures—mix & match: wool, linen, tweed, leather, lace, embroidery, thrifted prints, whatever felt like homegrown forest couture

Featured Poets: King David, Zoe Williams, Sara Saavedra, Anastasia DiFonzo, Matthew Constantine, Hadas Goshen, Xavi, Raven Mangiante, Infinite Chi

Featured Musician: King David (Spotify: <https://open.spotify.com/artist/2u8y4NFqcFt7NZ68zA7sw3?si=kwJPLUE_QFeuSzOJZDUkgQ> )


Poolside Poets November 2024

Tree spirits took human form as guests rooted themselves in poetry, dance, and woodland glam for one enchanted forest night.

Gen Blend: Intergenerational Writers Potluck November 2024

Poets Headshots @ Golden Sardine

All are welcome at "The Last Stanza Lounge" in the Chapel Parking Lot. Raise a glass and join us to close out the 20th anniversary of Lit Crawl and the 25th anniversary of Litquake!

Ambiance and "The Last Stanza Lounge" conceived and executed by Decentered Arts. Music by Lightmotif.


LitCrawl Last Stanze Lounge

An evening of dreamy poetry, live music and dance at the historic Phoenix Hotel.

Our monthly residency at Phoenix.

Join Decentered Arts for "Between Hills: A Walk through San Francisco," a poetry reading celebrating the city's vibrant culture. From the eclectic Haight-Ashbury to the artistic Mission District, immerse yourself in verses that evoke San Francisco's iconic hills, hidden gems, and the unique spirit that defines this city. Phase 2 of LitCrawl at The Chapel.

Decentered Arts presents poetry by Elise Liu, Liz Cahill, Loke Tamba, Maya Cowan, Rhea Joseph, Theory, and music by Hidden Thread Music.


LitCrawl - A Walk Through San Francisco

An evening of poetry, live music and dance at the historic Phoenix Hotel.

Our monthly residency at Phoenix. Donation based.

Softly, Sincerely took place on October 25th at Uzay Gallery—an intimate evening of art, music, and reflection featuring emerging artist Nic Elisa Hampton, with support from Decentered Arts.

The event showcased Hampton’s selected works and wearables, offered for viewing and purchase. The night included a heartfelt performance and an artist talk, where Hampton shared their creative philosophy: transforming anxiety and grief into color, line, and movement. They described their process as deeply embodied—posing like the figures they paint to channel emotion through physicality.

Guests mingled over small bites and drinks, surrounded by a warm, emotionally resonant atmosphere. Attendees were encouraged to wear outfits their younger selves would have admired—an expression of confidence, nostalgia, and self-love.


Softly, Sincerely

Guests dressed like their childhood heroes' dreams, basking in art, softness, and sincerity at a night of healing expression.

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, Decentered Arts Studio (1175 Folsom St) will host Changing Faces: Exploring the Portrait, a solo exhibition and artist talk by Pablo Moisés Ruiz Arroyo (aka Raiz). From 6:00–10:00 PM the studio will fill with figurative work, live music, and the warm chatter of people gathered to witness a painter’s conversation with identity.

Pablo will introduce the collection and share stories from his life — growing up in La Paz, migrating overland to California while supporting himself with murals and street art, and traveling the world painting public works. His portraits, the artist will explain, began with a simple question: Who is this? — and became explorations of shifting selves, hidden self-portraits, and the changing spirits he met along the way.

Black Hole Harvest will provide a live soundtrack, a textured score that mirrors Pablo’s blend of creation and collapse—music that underscored his mural work across continents. Light refreshments will be served, and guests will have a chance to ask questions, linger among the paintings, and take home prints or original pieces where available.

Pablo’s community work — from Precita Eyes to Mission Cultural Center — will be woven into the evening’s stories, reminding attendees that his art aims to beautify and belong to the neighborhoods it inhabits. Come for the paintings, stay for the tales: a night of portraiture, memory, and the migrant’s eye on the world.


Changing Faces: Exploring the Portrait 

Raiz (Pablo Moisés Ruiz Arroyo) exhibited portraits at Decentered Studio—migrant-born muralist’s intimate show with live music and artist talk.

Gen Blend: A monthly intergenerational writers potluck and open mic



Every First Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30pm

Ruth's Table, 3160 21st St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | Free

Join Decentered Arts and our partners Ruth's Table, Community Living Campaign, Adobe Books, and Litquake's Elder Project for this inspirational event. Featuring Writers from the Community Living Campaign Writing Program, the Elder Project workshops, local writers across a wide age range, and YOU! Limited Open Mic time available for pieces under 3 minutes. 



This is a free event and potluck! Bring something to share! Beverages available. Each month a delectable culinary creation by Amirali Mir will be shared, as a generous contribution to our potluck.



Visitor Guidelines: Face masks are optional.

Access: Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible. 

ASL Interpretation: ASL interpretation is available upon request. 72-hour notice required. 



Registration: Free and open to all. RSVP here.



Donate: The program is free, donations are welcome. 



Support our mission further by making a tax deductible donation to DCA:

https://givebutter.com/decentered



Support the Arts



At Decentered Arts we believe in building resilient community through art of all mediums. To help achive this we produce Decentered Open Mic, Eventracker, Writers Group, Poolside Poets, curated events, and more to come!

Your support helps us keep this up and dream bigger.



Donate



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