Canvas Gallery a unique San Fran experience

By Lacey Schauwecker

Envision a blank canvas.

Fill it with the mellow hues of a relaxing café, the swirls of an entrancing art gallery, the bright blasts of a jiving club and the stiff strokes of a classy restaurant.

Your mental creation may seem more chaotic than cohesive, but The Canvas Gallery actually manages to fuse all of these elements into one artistic masterpiece.

"We never say no to our local artists. If someone comes in with a painting that is very pleasurable, we hang it up," said Manager Marcus James de Jong. "If someone wants to have a private party or a Peace Corps slide show, we say go for it. Anything fun we add to The Canvas."

A local attraction, many "outsiders" may be unaware of this hidden marvel. Though Santa Clara students are indeed residents of the Bay Area, many struggle to break the tourist threshold.

Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf and other must-sees are popular destinations. But where should students go when they no longer want to just see, but actually experience, San Francisco?

The Canvas Gallery.

Sunset Magazine calls it an "on-a-dime city find."

Upon first stepping into The Canvas Gallery, on the right is "Combined Weight," the opening showcase consisting of photography, paintings and sketches.

The exhibit features artwork done by local Pixar Animation Studios artists outside of their digitally oriented professional careers.

To the left is the café, consisting of quaint wooden tables and plush sofas occupied by chatterers, diners and readers.

In the back corner, a house DJ spun melodic grooves that complimented The Canvas Gallery's mellow energy. There is often different lyrical and rhythmic beats to accompany the entire artistic experience.

The front held a full bar and a restaurant menu consisting of everything from pitas to espresso drinks to turnovers.

Though it takes a while to become fully cognizant of The Canvas Gallery's numerous offerings, it is not hard to partake in the art, food and nightly events in one visit.

The Canvas Gallery advertised the "Combined Weight" showcase as a chance to see "the full extent of their (Pixar artists') creative energies."

Young families with bustling 2-year-olds and wine-drinking businessmen stood side by side in front of the various pieces, proving that you do not have to be an art aficionado to fit in among this gallery crowd.

With vibrant pieces for sale ranging from $20 to $2,000, the gallery even encourages people to take such works home with them.

Though nearly all of the tables in the sitting area are likely to be taken, there are booths near a window on the side with a view of Golden Gate Park, which is just across the street.

Aside from the gallery pieces themselves, art is everywhere.

Papier-mache birds loom over spectators heads and Picasso-like acrylic paintings decorate the sitting area's walls.

The sweet sounds of music emanate from the back, creativity crawling throughout the building.

Along with the art, there is a relaxing cafe, complimented by the gallery's pleasant atmosphere, helping diners savor the complete dining experience.

To say that The Canvas Gallery leaves you feeling satisfied upon departure would be an understatement.

The culture of San Francisco is beautifully contained and celebrated in this single building.

Because of its diversity, even the cheapest and the least artsy Santa Clara student could enjoy The Canvas Gallery in some way.

"If you get bored, no matter who you are, come here," said de Jong.

Contact Lacey Schauwecker at (408) 551-1918 or lschauwecker@scu.edu.