A new art gallery showcasing queer artists will be opening soon on Market Street in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood.
Loom + Ten Global Queer Art Gallery is headed for 2323 Market Street, formerly Mikroblack.
Castro concept boutique and social club Mikroblack closed last year after just one year in the neighborhood.
"Loom + Ten Gallery is dedicated to empowering queer artists from emerging economies by showcasing their unique contemporary works and connecting them with a global audience," explains a sign posted in the window. "We aim to enhance visibility and contribute to queer livelihoods."
Loom + Ten will open at 2323 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
On a recent visit by a Hoodline reporter, workers could be seen painting and preparing the space to open.
Gallery owner Adam-Michael Royston tells Hoodline that the for-profit gallery will represent queer artists from across the global south. Royston said the gallery will host its opening night on May 29.
"It's directly connected to The Queer Livelihoods Project (QLP) — a global fund I started that supports early-stage queer artists and creative entrepreneurs in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean," Royston says.
Roma Guy (left) and Adam-Michael Royston (right). | Photo: Adam-Michael Royston/Instagram
All QLP profits will regenerate a fund, Royston says, "helping us provide grants and support to queer creatives who often don’t have access to traditional arts funding."
Royston said the QLP is a multi-million dollar global fund "committed to moving $3.5 million over the next three years directly to queer artists and creative entrepreneurs from the global majority."
"We’ve got projects underway in Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Tunisia, Botswana, and China, among others," added Royston. "The gallery is our way of bringing their work into the spotlight here in the U.S. while regenerating the fund to keep that capital flowing."
Construction worker preparing the gallery for opening. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Royston said Loom + Ten's first exhibit will "showcase emerging queer artists in the front gallery and feature a dedicated space showcasing a prominent queer Chinese artist in the back gallery, where we also will showcase queer Chinese films during the 6 week engagement."
"We are also building a roster of over 20 artists by this summer, including several internationally recognized names seeking gallery representation that reflects their values and lived experiences," added Royston.
Loom + Ten will join a handful of art galleries in the Castro including Art House SF, Queer Arts Featured, and MAG Galleries. Two other Castro art galleries recently closed - 2358 Market Gallery (formerly Art Attack) and Schlomer Haus Gallery.
