Just when you think something new can't pop-up in Hayes Valley, a small group of artists are showcasing and selling their work... in a garage.
Ornament & Oddity is a new pop-up shop and art gallery located in the single car garage of 627 Hayes (just a few doors down from Bar Jules). Having opened on June 3rd, the team has been showcasing their own artwork and things they've found around the city for over a month now. We stopped by yesterday and met with Dianne Hoffman, one of the artists whose work is featured throughout the pop-up garage. She explained that the vision for Ornament & Oddity came from Naomi Beck, one of the founding partners of Straw. "I had a 26 piece show at Straw and all but two pieces sold" Dianne explained. "Naomi and I ended up getting together every Tuesday night and talked art endeavors and came up with this idea. We thought it was brilliant."
lamps by Karla Fandel
Described as a Do It Yourself pop-up shop, Ornament & Oddities presents "a plethora of well curated curiosities, anomalous art, calculating collectibles, rusty relics, tasty treats, odds, ends, bits and baubles." Or as Dianne simplified it, "a well curated garage sale."
When asked what the long-term vision for the shop is, Dianne told us they're looking at this as a prototype for a storefront where they'll have wine, coffee, tea and sell their art.
Their plan is to start scouting out potential places toward the end of the year. But since rent is so ridiculous right now, they're enjoying their time in the garage.
Dianne Hoffman
Dianne said the best part about doing this is seeing what items grab people's interests when they walk in. And it doesn't hurt to be doing this as a career, something that feels more align with her passion than previous jobs.
"Before this I was working in property management. I loved my coworkers, but I wasn't able to be creative enough. So I left my job and after six months I started playing around with magazines and glue sticks and created some collages. Eventually I moved into 3D. And then I started doing the type of stuff you see here."
wall of goodies
The O&O team is holding their first event on Saturday, August 4 at 9pm called "The Big Easy Speakeasy." Tickets are $20 and include libations, food, live vaudevillian blues (Craig Ventresco), a magician (Christian Cagigal), and an art auction hosted by KFOG DJ Renee Richardson. Fun Fact: Renee recently attended auctioneer training so we hope she'll speak as fast as the Micro Machines guy. They're taking the Speak Easy theme seriously. You have to dress up to get through the door. To purchase tickets and see what counts as a costume, check our more details here.
welcome sign
As a resident of Hayes Valley (or close by) for 23 years, Dianne loves that our neighborhood feels like a village within the city. She (and the team) enjoy the sense of community and how they've gotten to know their neighbors. "When I open the garage door for business, it's like I'm inviting people into my home." Join Dianne, Naomi and the Ornament & Oddity team at their "home" every Sunday from 11am-4pm.
Ornament & Oddity is a new pop-up shop and art gallery located in the single car garage of 627 Hayes (just a few doors down from Bar Jules). Having opened on June 3rd, the team has been showcasing their own artwork and things they've found around the city for over a month now. We stopped by yesterday and met with Dianne Hoffman, one of the artists whose work is featured throughout the pop-up garage. She explained that the vision for Ornament & Oddity came from Naomi Beck, one of the founding partners of Straw. "I had a 26 piece show at Straw and all but two pieces sold" Dianne explained. "Naomi and I ended up getting together every Tuesday night and talked art endeavors and came up with this idea. We thought it was brilliant."
lamps by Karla Fandel
Dianne Hoffman
wall of goodies
The O&O team is holding their first event on Saturday, August 4 at 9pm called "The Big Easy Speakeasy." Tickets are $20 and include libations, food, live vaudevillian blues (Craig Ventresco), a magician (Christian Cagigal), and an art auction hosted by KFOG DJ Renee Richardson. Fun Fact: Renee recently attended auctioneer training so we hope she'll speak as fast as the Micro Machines guy. They're taking the Speak Easy theme seriously. You have to dress up to get through the door. To purchase tickets and see what counts as a costume, check our more details here.
welcome sign
As a resident of Hayes Valley (or close by) for 23 years, Dianne loves that our neighborhood feels like a village within the city. She (and the team) enjoy the sense of community and how they've gotten to know their neighbors. "When I open the garage door for business, it's like I'm inviting people into my home." Join Dianne, Naomi and the Ornament & Oddity team at their "home" every Sunday from 11am-4pm.
