Artist of the Month

Independent Arts & Media (IAM) believes that diverse voices and free expression are a cultural necessity. Through a combination of personalized attention, professional expertise, and an active network, the organization provides fiscal sponsorship services to support Affiliate Projects. For over 20 years, and for nearly 400 organizations and projects, IAM has been a partner in bringing powerful works to our community. Featured to the right are IAM staff (L to R) Operations Ma

Black & White Projects  is a San Francisco–based gallery and artist-centered project space that promotes creativity, community, and experimentation by exhibiting and supporting interdisciplinary artists pushing formal and contextual boundaries while fostering collaboration, professional development, and community engagement. This month, we look deeper at the ethos behind Black & White Projects’ work. What makes Black & White Projects feel different from a traditional gallery?

Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen is a curator, consultant, facilitator, and project-based artist born and raised in San Francisco. Their work—rooted in cultural strategy, creative care, and expansive thinking—moves fluidly between disciplines and communities. This month, we go deeper into Rhiannon’s practice to explore the forces that shaped their artistic path. As an artist born and raised in San Francisco, what has shaped your art path that is unique to this city? We just do so mu

Elaine Chu and Marina Perez- Wong are the duo behind the mural arts collaboration Twin Walls Mural Company (TWMC). They believe in the power of visual narratives to capture and reflect a community's history, struggles, dreams, and intentions. Both San Francisco natives, Elaine and Marina met at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in 1997, grew into community muralists with Precita Eyes under the mentorship of Susan Kelk Cervantes (their beloved “art mom”) and si

Photo credit: Rob Villanueva Best known for his thought-provoking work, Brian Singer is a multimedia artist who challenges conventional perceptions of objects and cultural symbols. Singer’s work often delves into the complexities of human connection, communication, and societal dynamics. Some of his more highlighted work, like The 1000 Journals Project and TWIT Spotting (Texting While In Traffic), received international attention. The 1000 Journals Project was turned into a

Margaret at work in the studio (L) and with studio assistants Rhone and Spanky (R) Margaret Timbrell creates intricate textile and fiber art using skillful needle work. She uses a timeless and traditional medium, turning it into conceptual needlework, and explores contemporary culture, including technology, parenthood, and fragility. She often uses wordplay as part of the tableau of her work. She is also an illustrator, using traditional drawing media. For this month’s featu

Sandy sketches in her studio with Nimbus on her shoulder. Photo by Mark Rogers Photography. Sandra Yagi paints beautifully and meticulously detailed surrealist works full of skeletons, butterflies, amphibians, and other creatures that explore evolution, mortality, and the wild side of human nature. Her art is equal parts gothic and scientific, like a natural history museum reimagined by a mischievous storyteller. When she’s not painting, she volunteers with her cats Nimbus a