Phyllis Thelen convinced San Rafael to let her hang art in empty storefronts on Fourth Street more than 30 years ago. On Friday, Aug. 14, artists are returning the favor.
Art Works Downtown opens "Artists Give Back: Celebrating Phyllis Thelen" that evening in the Donors' Gallery at 1325 Fourth Street, a small-works exhibition and silent auction marking the co-founder's 100th birthday. Artists donated pieces for bidding, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the nonprofit arts center, according to the gallery's event listing on MarinArts.org.
The opening reception runs 5 to 8 p.m. during the free monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk, when studios and galleries along Fourth Street open their doors to the public. A second reception is set for Friday, Sept. 11, same hours.
"It becomes a destination, so people know the second Friday of every month, artists are going to open up their studios and open up their doors," executive director Elisabeth Setten told KTVU in a May report on the Art Walk.
A founder's legacy
Thelen chaired San Rafael's Cultural Affairs Commission in the early 1990s and pushed the city to allow artwork in vacant storefronts to enliven the street. In 1996, she and co-founders Joanne Dunn, Joanne Greene, Barbara Stewart, Mary Pat Fuchs and her husband Max Thelen pooled $60,000 to lease part of the building at 1325–1337 Fourth Street, originally built in 1878 as Gordon's Opera House. That lease became Art Works Downtown.
The nonprofit describes Thelen as a visionary, artist, environmental leader and longtime champion of the arts in Marin. Today the 40,000-square-foot building houses four galleries, 27 art studios, a ceramic center, a jewelers guild, a frame shop, a restaurant and 17 affordable apartments.
Among the donated works on display is "Towards The Marble Wilderness" by Davis Perkins, an oil on panel measuring 8 by 10 inches.
How to visit
The exhibition runs through Friday, Sept. 25. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Art Works Downtown is at 1337 Fourth St., San Rafael. More information is available at artworksdowntown.org or by calling 415-451-8119.
Upcoming community events:
- Friday, Aug. 14: Artists Give Back opening reception and 2nd Friday Art Walk, 5–8 p.m., Art Works Downtown, free
- Friday, Sept. 11: Second reception for Artists Give Back, 5–8 p.m., Art Works Downtown, free
- Friday, Sept. 25: Final day of the Artists Give Back exhibition, gallery open 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
