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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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: Intergenerational Writers Potluck November 2024

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

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 an evening the Phoenix Hotel hosted Poolside Poets.
Guests came dressed in their best "Metallics"
Think: glinting lamé jackets, tin-foil crowns, layered chains, chainmail chokers, bronze corsets, silver slip dresses, mirrored sunglasses, metallic boots, rusted-steampunk accents, sequin blazers, foil ties, copper cuffs, chrome trench coats, space-age vinyl, tinsel hair, gladiator sandals with metallic straps, metallic fishnets, mirrored belts, thrifted armor pieces, DIY tin-foil folly — mix & match: lamé, foil, chainmail, leather, sequins, mesh, denim, silk, whatever reflected the light
Featured Poets: Lucie Pereira, Sydney Vogl, Papi Grande, Maxine Z. Flasher-Duzgunes, Liz Cahill, Rhea Joseph, Ben Draffin, Hay, Theory, Monica Gallagher
Featured Musician: Gysele Ryder [(Spotify)](https://open.spotify.com/artist/5KT3tCv24vQAUk76ljYflT?si=TE6g7mJqSb267RjNWCCi0Q)
Dancers: Gabby Wei & Eline Castro


Poolside Poets April 2024

An evening of reflective poetry, live music and dance at the historic Phoenix Hotel. Brought to you by Decentered Arts, Rhea Joseph, Theory, Liz Cahill, and friends.

Kian Locke, in collaboration with Gizma Music, Decentered Arts, ArtFuseSF, and 2051 Third Space, presented a mythic, psychedelic, and poetic celebration for UNESCO World Poetry Day. The event marked the completion of a large-scale poetry mural created with Ace Dynamic Aesthetics and Genuine Hands Painting.
The evening opened with a vibrant poetry lineup featuring local Bay Area voices, including C. Marcus Scott, Charlie Getter, and Papí Grande. Liz Cahill and Rhea Joseph of Decentered Arts hosted a spirited open mic, welcoming voices from across the community.
As the night unfolded, words met rhythm in ecstatic union, and the talented Kanaaiya closed the night with a mesmerizing live set, ending the celebration on a sonic high.


Rhymes in Rythm with Kian Locke

Poets howled, beats dropped, and mural magic unveiled—guests rhymed in rhythm, basking in cosmic soundscapes and painted prophecy.

Monica Gallagher

Decentered Studio Launch Party - 09-12-2025 - Monica Gallagher

A woman addresses a crowd, engaging them with her speech and gestures.

DECENTERED WRITERS GROUP ANTHOLOGY #1 LAUNCH 2

A woman operates DJ equipment while a man in a suit sings or speaks into a microphone; colorful, psychedelic artwork is visible in the background.

A woman in black tights and high heels stands in a pose, exuding confidence and showcasing her chic style.

A group of diverse individuals standing together in a well-lit room, engaged in conversation.

Piles Garbage Age Fashion and Art Finale 3

A diverse group of people is positioned in a room with art pieces hanging on the walls.

A woman speaks or sings into a microphone in front of a colorful mural featuring a large mushroom and a staircase. She stands near speakers and audio equipment.

A serene portrait of Nico Elizabeth Hampton, embodying softness and sincerity in her expression.

A cozy gathering with people talking and laughing while seated on elegant couches and a plush rug in a warmly lit room, creating a relaxed ambiance.

A model in a vibrant blue dress posing on the runway in front of a neon backdrop

Vibrant art exhibit featuring an abstract building painting with intricate details. A vivid mural with a figure is partially visible on the left. Bright and colorful ambiance.

Alvar Jacomet's work at Decentered Studio

A woman performs on stage, captivating a large audience with her presence and energy.

LitCrawl - A Walk Through San Francisco 2

 A diverse group of people poses for a photo in front of a stage, showcasing a festive atmosphere.

LitCrawl - A Walk Through San Francisco 3

A lively scene of individuals in fashionable dresses dancing together, celebrating a special occasion.

A woman wearing a black dress reads a book intently, surrounded by a calm atmosphere.

DECENTERED WRITERS GROUP ANTHOLOGY #1 LAUNCH 1

A woman in a dress is surrounded by a group of people in a well-lit room, all appearing to socialize.

Piles Garbage Age Fashion and Art Finale 2

Painting on a wall under focused lighting. It features an abstract, symmetrical building in bold reds and blues with black and white patterns around the edges.

A group of visitors gathered in front of a vibrant painting, engaged in discussion and observation.

A person views three architectural drawings on a vibrant yellow wall in an art gallery, conveying a contemplative and artistic atmosphere.

A person in a black outfit poses beside colorful abstract artworks featuring geometric shapes on a white wall.

A band playing music in a cool space with neon decorations

A person in a gallery observes colorful, abstract paintings of buildings with vibrant blue, red, and orange tones, conveying a reflective mood.

A woman passionately performs on stage during a vibrant concert, engaging the audience with her performance.

LitCrawl - A Walk Through San Francisco 1

A group of diverse models in high fashion outfits smiling for the camera

A a group of diverse people smiling to the camera; colorful, psychedelic artwork is visible in the background.

 group of diverse individuals smiling and posing with various books in a cheerful photo setting.

DECENTERED WRITERS GROUP ANTHOLOGY #1 LAUNCH 3

Art enthusiasts explore a gallery filled with colorful artworks on the walls, engaging in conversation and sharing ideas.

A woman holds a small dog while viewing an illuminated abstract painting in an art gallery. The room has a calm atmosphere with soft, ambient lighting.

Monica Gallagher

Artist at:

Photographer at:

DECENTERED
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