Longtime Hayes Valley residents may remember two prolific young artists who would set up milk crates to display and sell their work outside Anna's Market, the corner store their parents owned at 424 Hayes St. (It's now home to Alternative Apparel.) These days, Intava and Allen Wong are 17 and 15, respectively, but they're still creating works of art in the neighborhood.
In the Wongs' younger years, Hayes Valley was a sleepier neighborhood. On her website, Intava recalls a time when "lights would flicker green and red all the time but not many cars would be there to stop or go." The two children would make and hang paintings in the window of Anna's, which was owned by their parents, Johnny and Vieng Wong.
Photo: Intava and Allen Wong
On a particularly slow day, Intava and Allen, then 8 and 6, decided to try to sell their work on the street, and immediately saw success. Soon, they had a regular stand (made of green milk crates covered in tablecloths), with an ever-changing offering of 10 to 20 paintings done on extra wood that their father had left over from construction projects.
In the nine years since, the neighborhood has changed. Anna's Market closed and was replaced by Alternative Apparel in 2013, and the Wongs opened up Intava Salon (323 Ivy St.), named for their daughter. Like his children, Johnny has a flair for art, and he used his construction and woodworking skills to design the light-filled hair salon, where Intava's paintings are on display.
Intava, now 17, has set up a website to display and sell her and her brother's work; the pair also take commissions. She's aiming for a career as an artist, but first plans on attending cosmetology school so that she can work at Intava Salon to save up money for a four-year art school.
Intava's artwork for sale at Intava Salon.
While 15-year-old Allen still loves painting, he's found his calling in mechanics and electronics. He builds and paints his own miniature cars and boats that actually run, thanks to electrical wiring he does himself.
One of Allen's homemade vehicles.
Allen's plan is to work in the automotive industry. He'd like to attend a mechanic's school, and then get an entry-level job in the car industry. From there, he's aiming to become a top manager, and eventually, a CEO. At that point, he'll be able to help support Intava's artwork, he jokes.
You can support the Wongs in their educational goals by purchasing Intava's paintings at Intava Salon or requesting a commission online. Each commission is $20, and measures around 8x11 inches.
