December 15-16: Bent, Twisted and Warped

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Next week students at California College of the Arts will wrap up a special fall studio with renowned UK-based furniture designer David Colwell. Anyone who has met Colwell or learned about his pioneering work in environmentally sustainable craft will immediately understand what a remarkable experience this has been for his students.

We feel equally honored to host "Bent, Twisted and Warped," an exhibition (and sale!) of the students' work made from locally sourced hardwoods using Colwell's steam-bending process. On display for one weekend only, the works are experiments in the functional and sustainable benefits of wood. Each represents the designer’s effort to get from living tree to finished product in a few smart steps. 

 David Colwell has been designing furniture with a focus on sustainable materials and processes for over 30 years. He advocates wood as a furniture-making material for its structural and practical efficiency, as well as for its many environmental benefits. His work is included in collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. 

Stop by to meet the designers, learn more about Colwell's unique process of woodworking, and perhaps, find a one-of-a-kind gift.

RECEPTION WITH THE DESIGNERS AND DAVID COLWELL
// Saturday, December 15, 2-5PM [RSVP here!]

EXHIBIT HOURS
// Saturday, December 15, 10AM-5PM
// Sunday, December 16, 11AM-4PM

Welcoming the Unwieldy Beast

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Unwieldy Beast // Trailer from brandon loper on Vimeo.

 Here's a preview of Unwieldy Beast, the award-winning short documentary film by San Francisco-based director Brandon Loper, showing this Saturday at StoreFrontLab. Unwieldy Beast tells the story of Gary Frank Skaggs and his pianobike, St. Frankenstein. The six-minute film features all original music by Skaggs, as he pedals ever so slowly, in and out of tune, through the streets of San Francisco.

 Between screenings, Skaggs will delight us with his contemporary ragtime, performed live on his pianobike, and Kevin "Tex" Bohlin of St. Frank Coffee will serve up some coffee-inspired beverages. Of course, director Loper will be on hand to discuss Unwieldy Beast and his new project, a film exploring the global culture of specialty coffee.

// Doors open at 4PM
// Screenings at 5PM, 7PM and 9PM

Space is running out, so register today!

Here's what we'll be up to at Reflectorize!

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Nancy Botkin, Cheryl Brinkman and friends have been busy testing reflective treatments for your favorite gear. If you want to do more to stay visible as the days grow shorter, stop by Reflectorize and they'll help you add some flash. Bring your jackets, gloves, bags, and knitting or make reflective buttons and accessories on site. The event is free, though donations to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition are encouraged. Register today!


 

 

One weekend, two great events!

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Gary Frank Skaggs and St. Frankenstein, his piano-bike, in Unwieldy Beast, 
an award-winning short documentary directed by Brandon Loper.




REFLECTORIZE! 
// Friday, November 9 // 6 – 9PM
// Saturday, November 10 // 10AM - 1PM
The end of daylight savings and the shortening days are a good reminder for cyclists and pedestrians to take care and stay visible when traveling after dark. Drop in at Reflectorize!, a free workshop offering an array of headlight-catching reflective treatments to sew, iron or embroider onto your clothes or bags. Materials, equipment, instruction and warm beverages provided. Suggested donations benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

UNWIELDY BEAST
// Saturday, November 10
It's the perfect San Francisco evening: screenings of the award-winning short (six-minute) documentary by Brandon Loper, live ragtime courtesy of Unwieldy Beast's stars Gary Frank Skaggs and his pianobike, plus coffee and other inspired beverages by Kevin "Tex" Bohlin of St. Frank coffee company. All happening at StoreFrontLab.