Artists Wanted For Castro Merchants' Harvey Milk Birthday Tribute

Artists Wanted For Castro Merchants' Harvey Milk Birthday TributeSome window art from last year. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Shane Downing
Published on February 28, 2017

For the second year in a row, the Castro Merchants will be celebrating Harvey Milk's May 22nd birthday with Windows For Harvey, a storefront tribute in which merchants feature creative window displays, posters, and art in honor of Milk's legacy of activism and civil rights. 

Although Milk's birthday isn't for another three months, the merchants are getting started early, and are seeking local artists to contribute to this year's effort.

"We wanted to get local artists involved, matching them up with shop owners to create displays in their windows," said Castro Merchants president Daniel Bergerac. "The idea is to grow it, and make it a yearly event."

Last year's window display at Sui Generis. | Photo: Shane Downing/Hoodline

Last year, approximately 125 Castro businesses participated in the inaugural Windows For Harvey initiative. This year, art in the project will be on display during the final two weeks of May.

Bergerac told us that the merchants aren't necessarily looking for "politically framed art."

"Our goal is to showcase local talent, while celebrating one of the founders of our organization," Bergerac said. "We want displays that capture the spirit of Harvey, his message, or the spirit of the Castro in the '70s."

The merchants are asking any local artists interested in participating to contact them as soon as possible.

From there, "we'll have the merchants choose what artists they want to work with," said Angie Sticher of Spark Arts. As of yesterday, eight artists had submitted applications.

In addition to having their art on display around the Castro, participating artists will have the chance to sell their artwork at a closing reception at Spark Arts.

"This is a really fun way to celebrate Harvey's birthday," Bergerac said, "and I'm excited to see what people come up with."

To have your Harvey Milk artwork considered by the Castro Merchants, send an artist statement, your contact information, and a 2D or 3D sketch to info [AT] castromerchants [DOT] com.