Good Museums in Union Square (San Francisco)

Larry Evans Gallery

The Larry Evans Gallery is a private gallery that specializes in contemporary art from Northern California. Be sure to check out Larry Evans' website to find out the schedule of his gallery hours since it is generally open no more than a few months out of the year. Also, if you are planning to purchase art from the Larry Evans Gallery, make sure that you have checks handy, as no credit cards are accepted.

Robert Koch Gallery

Photography reigns supreme in this pristine gallery. From vintage to contemporary works, you'll see it all. Glorious nudes to symbolic landscapes, this gallery is a museum of photographic work. Photography fans will delight in celebrated 19th-century photographers like Gustave Le Gray and Carlton Watkins. Or "snap up" your history of some 20th centuries' big name photographers like Mike Light and Bill Owens to say nothing of the guy the called Ansel, as in Adams. But really, what's in a name, when the collection at this gallery is so varied and so very good?

Brian Gross Fine Art

Sure it may look gross to some people but under gallery lights, you will find inspiration in unexpected images, regardless of what, 'they' say. Be it sculpture, multi-media, installations or conceptual work, the provocative work at this gallery is what gives San Francisco a good name. Viewers who would rather not have potentially offensive images spelled out, will enjoy the gallery's emphasis on contemporary abstract painting. Layers of eccentric and mundane behaviors are beautifully rendered in the cartoonish mythic figures in collage format by James Barness.

Dick Ebert Gallery

Dick Ebert Gallery proudly features artist Michael Holden, who won a Guggenheim Fellowship for painting. In the wake of some larger spaces, this relatively small gallery is a happy find. There is no room for three-dimensional works in this gallery. But an intimate setting for contemporary art is hard to find, which makes this gallery a sure stop during your art journey. Michael Holden's work is easy to spot, if not easy to understand, like Kandinsky's paintings inspired by music, Holden's squiggles and scratches attempt new chords, however difficult to reach.

The George Krevsky Gallery

Paper enthusiasts will love the George Krevsky Gallery. Boasting fine works on paper with its collection of etchings, drypoints, mezzotints, lithographs, monoprints, drawings, watercolor, gouache and oil paintings, it features historical works by the mellow Milton Avery and the sturdy mountains depicted by Rockwell Kent. The gallery also features some contemporary artists who still find creative roots in the Ashcan period to the Modernist period, only decades old.

Fraenkel Gallery

One of the oldest photo galleries in San Francisco, it has been open for 30 years and is internationally known. Featuring, of course, the heavy weights of color and black-and-white photography, you can find a photograph for $20,000 here. Venture through a multitude of adjacent small viewing rooms and in each you will find mural-sized photos that will literally take your breath away. While, the modernist tradition is alive and shuttering at this gallery, classical enthusiasts will appreciate the beautiful photo of nature entitled Oasis and printed in 1903 by French photographer Eugene Atget.

Art Exchange

Here, you will find museum pieces that the gallery has bought to make available to you. There will be some names you recognize and some that you will not. Watch your step, midst the wall-to-wall prints and sculptures, you may kick over a Picasso vase nestled in a niche in a display's bottom shelf. Open since 1984, this unpretentious consignment shop devoted exclusively to selling secondhand contemporary art is an art lover's dream.

The San Francisco Black and White Gallery

When a landlord pushed his tenants who owned a design studio to generate more foot traffic, this wonderful little gallery was born. It features framed photos (8"x10"). Find exquisite black-and-white and color photos of San Francisco landmarks, from the Civic Center and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor> looking grand to the blond hair and bustier images from a popular street fair. Creativity abounds here with some abstract pieces by Frederic Arnaudie. Gift certificates are available.

Weinstein Gallery

Weinstein Gallery might catch your eye when you walk past. You might ask, 'Is that a Chagall, a Miro, a Dali, or a Picasso?' The answer is all of them. The gallery is brimming with works by the masters. Many of the paintings are on consignment from their owners, others are owned by the gallery. The staff is more than friendly, and they're willing to share their in-depth knowledge of these works that evoke elation and a sense of honor at seeing them in person.

49 Geary

Nothing less than a visual treat for the art lovers! 49 Geary is a wonderful place that houses several art galleries in its building. Every floor here has a treasure of art galleries such as that of Patricia Sweetow, Scott nichols, Brian Gross, Catharine Clark and Haines, among others. One thing that is worth mentioning is the facade of 49 Geary is very unassuming. Its only when you enter it that you get to experience the awe-effect. Exquisite collections of contemporary art by several artists make this place absolutely irresistible.

ArtworkSF

ArtworkSF displays interesting works of several Bay artists—both the established and the upcoming ones. The number of such skilled artists run into hundreds and the exhibits are generally on display for sale or rent. Based in 49 Geary, this huge gallery is a must visit for all the art lovers when in San Francisco. ARTworkSF has hundreds of arts on display at thirty other locations in the city as well. This gallery gracefully defines grandeur and talent.

Dolby Chadwick Gallery

Art has no boundaries—an idea once conceived, conveniently flows on to the supporting medium to gain an expression. Dolby Chadwick Gallery positively assists in boosting such expressions in the form of paintings, photographs and prints. The gallery shoulders ten exhibitions every year to display the talent of both established, as well as new artists. It also provides service to art enthusiasts for home or office art consultation, framing and installation.