The Haight Street Art Center is pleased to announce the opening of its new exhibition, “The Haight-Ashbury Experience and the Pursuit of Happiness: The Photography of Herb Greene,” a groundbreaking exhibition that will present the first career-long retrospective of San Francisco’s pioneering rock photographer.
Free admission begins on February 24th and the exhibition will remain open until May 28th.
A special exhibition preview and opening reception will take place on the evening of February 23rd from 5pm-9pm. After a ribbon cutting at 5:30 pm, Exhibition and Opening Reception sponsor Amoeba Music — which has had a home at 1855 Haight Street for more than a quarter-century — will have DJ Earthquake spinning rare and classic vinyl, providing a soundtrack to Greene’s incredible work.
The Center’s renowned print studio will be open and in action throughout the evening. All attendees will receive a complimentary Art Center hand-crafted-and-screen-printed Opening Night credential and lanyard upon their arrival.
Reception attendees will also have the opportunity to have their portrait taken by a professional photographer free of charge (selfies are cool too) in front of a replica of the famed hieroglyphics-covered wall from Greene’s 66 Baker Street apartment where he lived in the 1960s. The wall served as and the backdrop for his legendary portraits of Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and dozens of Haight-Ashbury luminaries and future rock legends. Greene’s famed wall was also featured on several albums, including on the cover of Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 Surrealistic Pillow album.
Visitors will depart with an Opening Night goody bag, and the Art Center’s retail store will carry unique merchandise tied to the exhibition, incredible prints from Greene’s archives, and the opportunity to purchase a custom exhibition poster designed by legendary poster artist Stanley Mouse.
Light snacks will be served along with wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
Event tickets are $40, or $20 for Haight Street Art Center members. New members who sign-up here https://haightstreetart.org/pages/become-a-member to support the non-profit Center, may purchase an event ticket for $20, and also receive a complimentary Art Center-designed-and-screen-printed tote bag.
The Haight Street Art Center serves San Francisco’s thriving poster art and artist communities with education and cultural development programs, and exhibitions. Drawing upon music, art, social and political counterculture history, we provide a space that bridges communities through social activism and artistic expression.
The nonprofit Haight Street Art Center is located at 215 Haight Street, at the corner of Laguna Street. The Center is open weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6 pm. Its outdoor Garden Gallery is open daily (7 am – 9 pm). Admission is always free. For more information about the Haight Street Art Center, its exhibitions, events, and programs, please visit www.haightstreetart.org
