Since October 2013, Alphonzo Solorzano and Dennis McNulty have been operating The Little Lodge, a 200-square-foot storefront at 1302 12th Ave. that the duo hopes will become a nexus for artists in the Inner Sunset.

According to Solorzano, a San Francisco native who lives near the studio, he and McNulty “use it to make art, build furniture and interact with the creative community out here.” The Little Lodge stages exhibitions “about every other month, and we collaborate with artists to do workshop and hold art discussions,” said Solorzano. “It’s an outlet for us as well."

Alphonzo Solorzano.

Solorzano runs a commercial sign shop, while McNulty is a senior art director, so the space is generally active on weekends. The Little Lodge recently expanded into a former storage room and now rents garage space in an adjoining building. Because the space is so small, Soloranzo said it’s easy to adapt.

“Our last workshop was on typography,” said Solorzano, “but the space just converts for each different artist we’re working with. Sometimes, it’s more of a retail space or a gallery setting, sometimes an educational setting. It just depends on the artist.”

The Little Lodge once converted into a retail pop-up for a clothing designer, and an upcoming show is planned with a Mission-based publishing company. “One of the main founders lives here in the Sunset,” said Solorzano. “We’re always open to collaborating with new artists.”

Tomorrow, The Little Lodge will be open to help celebrate a neighborhood block party that will close 12th Avenue between Irving and Judah for a communal garage sale and swap meet. At noon, they’ll open their doors for an art fundraiser, said Solorzano. "We’re raising funds for Dennis’ 10-year-old black Lab, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer."

To help cover veterinary bills, several friends “donated artwork, photos, prints, baked goods and healing music” for the fundraiser. After dark, they’ll join the party outside for fire pits and an outdoor movie screening, said Solorzano.

Solorzano co-founded The Little Lodge after moving to the Inner Sunset with his girlfriend so he could “lay some creative roots in the area, and there aren’t that many places for people to meet. I kind of like that we’re made a little creative hub out here that helps artists get to network with other creatives.”