SFMOMA MuseumStore on Yerba Buena Lane; exterior view; photo by Andria Lo
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) may be on the go with off-site programming throughout the city while its building is closed for expansion, but the SFMOMA MuseumStore is staying in the same neighborhood, aiming to keep shoppers and a presence for the museum in the immediate area until SFMOMA’s new building opens in early 2016.
Today the museum announced further details about the store’s new temporary space in San Francisco’s South of Market district—a 2,500-square-foot leased property at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, located between Market and Mission Streets near Third Street, next to the Contemporary Jewish Museum—as well as the date of its grand reopening, set for Wednesday, August 7, 2013.
“We’re thrilled to continue serving both our loyal MuseumStore customers and the amazing local artists and designers we collaborate with to develop store products during this interim period,” says MuseumStore Director Jana Machin. “The store will also be a crucial platform for informing potential museum visitors about our expansion in close proximity to the actual construction site, with a portion of the store space dedicated to presenting the latest news about the project.”
The MuseumStore’s newly renovated, more-streamlined space is designed by Napa-based commercial interior design firm Shopworks, and features dramatic structural columns painted in grey-and-black stripes as a nod to the iconic striped-marble motif of SFMOMA’s existing Haas Atrium. The store fixtures, with various wood finishes and a sleek design, are composed of largely reused materials from the original store, along with new environmentally sustainable materials such as bamboo and cork.
The merchandise mix focuses primarily on contemporary design, highlighting the same carefully curated selection of items for the home, unique gifts for children, artisan jewelry, accessories, and the city’s best selection of art books—all of which has made the store so popular with both locals and out-of-towners since its establishment in 1995.
Other highlights of the new store include a continued emphasis on exclusive, limited-edition items developed by SFMOMA with artists, including Michael Murphy, Jason Munn, and Andrew Holder; print-on-demand reproductions of works from SFMOMA’s collection; and a special section devoted to products designed and manufactured in San Francisco, such as the introduction of a new line of homewares that reinvents old fire hoses retired from firehouses across the nation—including Firehouse Station 1, formerly located behind the museum at the current expansion site—and gives them a second life as smart and stylish floor mats, chairs, and accessories.
MuseumStore hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The store also has a location at the departure level at the SFO International Terminal. The airport space will continue normal operations during expansion construction, and shoppers may also visit sfmoma.org to shop online. When SFMOMA’s new home reopens in 2016, the store will relocate once again to continue operation inside the expanded museum at 151 Third Street.
Proceeds from SFMOMA’s MuseumStore support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
Special Introduction: Oxgut Hose Co.
As one of the first retailers to carry this line, the MuseumStore is pleased to introduce Oxgut Hose Co. products. Designed and made locally, Oxgut’s indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories are creatively handcrafted using retired fire hoses salvaged from U.S. fire departments, including many from SF Fire Department stations. Store shoppers can select from various Oxgut items, including floor mats, chairs, slippers, and tech accessories. The Fire Hose Mats ($235–$320) are uniquely pieced together from recycled hose colors and textures, adding a splash of character to any space. Great for the home and garden, and even the beach, the durable, weather-resistant floor mat is a favorite amongst surfers and campers who love to roll it up for the outdoors.
Jewelry and Accessories
Featuring local and global designers, the MuseumStore offers an exceptional array of jewelry, including the beautifully geometric Iacoli + McAllister necklaces ($78–$320), made in Seattle. From Australia and exclusive to SFMOMA, the Rachel Wightman necklace ($58) is a little piece of wearable art, exuding a bold simplicity of color, shape, and texture. Locally designed, Susan Hoff bags ($180–$240) are inspired by the designer’s time spent at the sea and handcrafted from reclaimed sailcloth and leather. Also locally created in San Francisco’s Mission District, Vanessa Gade jewelry ($108–$278) makes a contemporary statement balanced with a timeless wearability and are inspired by local landmarks, including SFMOMA’s building.
Home Design
The MuseumStore provides a wide selection of high-quality, thoughtfully designed pieces to add an artful touch to every home. From its Portland-based studio, the Ekko Workshop Desktop Mobile ($50) brightens the desk with its colorful, precision-crafted shapes. Stig Ahlström’s Leaf Tray ($55) makes a stunning setting for a still life with fruit or bread, while the Leitmotiv’s Orbit Table ($178) is the ideal minimal piece that is perfectly on-trend with color blocking of stylish white, grey, or orange against natural wood. Charley Harper wood and felt birds ($40–$65) and ceramic mugs and trays ($14; $42) illustrate the exquisite detail of Harper’s nature-inspired illustrations and make a graphically vibrant addition to any space.
For the Kids
Equally modern and fun, the MuseumStore’s children’s section carries high-quality, durable products for kids of all ages. A mesmerizing alternative to the classic rocking horse, the Newmaker Rocking Zebra ($180) is a design award winner and super durable for the playroom. Lili Chen and Khrass Feng Handmade Sock Dolls ($20 each) provide handsomely crafted, adorable playmates. Clean in design and material, and made in Southern California, Manny and Simon Wooden Trucks ($40 each) take the classic fire, loader, and tow trucks and transform them into contemporary eco-friendly essentials for playtime.
San Francisco Made
The MuseumStore highlights the best of San Francisco–made products, including the Wood Thumb bow tie ($35) crafted from reclaimed redwood for those who want to stand out in a classy way. Capital Eyewear Sunglasses ($180–$240) are inspired by iconic designs and updated by smooth lines and a wooden frame created with sustainably harvested cherry hardwood. Rickshaw Bagworks bags ($39–$99) channel the creative, active, and design-forward energy of the city, serving as the ideal travel and tech accessories. Michael Murphy’s Limited Edition Signed Prints and T-shirts ($150; $28) showcase San Francisco’s modernist architecture with bold colors and stylized graphics; his SFMOMA-inspired designs are exclusive to the MuseumStore.
Exhibition Products and Art Books
In conjunction with SFMOMA’s current off-site exhibition Mark di Suvero at Crissy Field, the MuseumStore offers artist-related products, including Mark di Suvero: Dreambook ($58), a celebration of di Suvero’s long, distinguished career, featuring more than 200 images of his most important works. Art book lovers can select from a remarkable variety of interests, such as The Prints of Ellsworth Kelly ($150) that gathers the artist’s entire oeuvre of prints into a two-volume catalogue raisonné; William Christenberry ($65), the largest overview published surveying the contemporary American master photographer’s half-century-long career; and OVERS!ZE ($42), which profiles 40 artists known for their monumental sculptures and installations around the world.
For more information about products, the public may contact the MuseumStore at 415.357.4035 or visit sfmoma.org, where many items are also available for purchase online.