San Francisco is bustling with art as various museums prepare to showcase exciting new exhibitions while others approach their closing dates.
Starting with the upcoming events, the Legion of Honor and the de Young museums will host “Bouquets to Art” from June 3 to June 8.
This annual event transforms galleries with stunning floral arrangements inspired by the museums’ artwork.
In addition, 500 Capp Street is set to reopen in mid-June with a new exhibition titled “Mildred Howard Collaborating with the Muses Part 2.”
On the other hand, several exhibitions are nearing their conclusion.
“Project Dastaan,” which explores the significant historical events of the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, will remain open until June 2.
Paul McCartney’s photography exhibit at the de Young will close on July 2, while Henri Matisse’s “Jazz Unbound” will be available until July 6.
Ashley Voss, curator at Voss Gallery, located at the corner of 24th and Bartlett streets, has created a local gallery guide that she updates weekly.
Art enthusiasts can follow the guide on Instagram and its website for the latest updates.
At the Legion of Honor, the museum promotes a Free Saturday campaign that invites Bay Area residents to enjoy art without admission fees.
The highly anticipated “Bouquets to Art” exhibition opens on June 3, bringing floral interpretations of the museum’s collections to life.
Another exhibition, “Printing Color: Chiaroscuro to Screenprint,” which opened on May 24, traces the evolution of color printing from the 18th Century to contemporary artists, including Kiki Smith.
Furthermore, “Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art” features around 60 pieces from the esteemed artist’s extensive six-decade career.
The exhibition delves into Thiebaud’s deep engagement with art history, showcasing influences from notable artists like Edouard Manet and Richard Diebenkorn.
For those who appreciate storytelling through art, details on a cake picnic documented by reporter Abigail Vân Neely will also be available.
Visitors can explore the Legion of Honor’s complete list of exhibitions on their website.
Every Saturday, Bay Area residents enjoy free admission, with the first Tuesday of every month also open for everyone at no cost.
Meanwhile, the de Young Museum features “Isaac Julien: I Dream a World,” the first United States retrospective of the London-born video artist.
The exhibition features ten major video installations that explore themes of migration and the representation of African artists in museums.
Teresa Moore provided a review of the show in Mission Local, describing it as an immersive experience akin to entering a poem, filled with visual metaphors and cultural allusions.
Additionally, Paul McCartney’s photography show, which opened on March 1, features images capturing the Beatles’ rise to fame from Liverpool to their iconic Ed Sullivan Show appearance in early 1964.
This exhibit will be open until July 6, 2025, giving fans ample time to relive this memorable era.
In tandem, Henri Matisse’s “Jazz Unbound” celebrates the museum’s recent acquisition of his 1947 artist book, which includes color stencil prints and will remain on view until July 6, 2025.
Over at SFMOMA, photography is a key highlight, showcasing works from Group f.64, a collective that sought to embrace “true” photography distinct from painting.
Prominent figures like Ansel Adams and Imogen Cunningham were part of this legacy, making it a must-see exhibit that runs until July 2025.
A special panel discussion regarding this group will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 6 p.m., featuring curator Erin O’Toole alongside artists Janet Delaney, Zig Jackson, and Ray Potes.
Pre-registration is required for those interested in joining the conversation.
SFMOMA is also home to the “Ruth Asawa: Retrospective,” described by Moore as “astonishing” for its exploration of the artist’s life and work that blurs the lines between art-making and life.
This exhibit includes over 300 works that chronologically follow Asawa’s journey from her formative years at Black Mountain College to her later family life in Noe Valley.
Another exhibition, “Kunié Sugiura: Photopainting,” charts her unique career, beginning with her earlier works that reflect her sense of isolation as a foreign student.
Sugiura’s style evolved following her relocation to New York, where she began utilizing canvas as a medium, creating mesmerizing large-scale works.
The museum also presents “New Work: Samson Young,” an installation utilizing generative AI to examine the interplay of love and memory.
This dynamic installation features a conversation with Young, available on their website.
Additionally, Kara Walker’s installation, “Fortuna and the Immortality Garden (Machine),” examines power dynamics, race, and sexuality, evoking both ambition and intimacy through its themes.
The New York Times provided a review highlighting Walker’s capability to explore superhuman AI in her work.
As admission is free on the first Thursday of every month for Bay Area residents, advanced ticket reservations are recommended.
Information on free or discounted admission can be found on the museum’s website.
The Institute for Contemporary Art welcomes two current exhibitions: “Midnight March” by Masako Miki and “stay, take your time, my love” by David Antonio Cruz.
Miki is known for her whimsical installations, including pieces showcased at the Uber headquarters, while Cruz’s exhibit includes newly commissioned work responding to San Francisco’s queer histories.
At the Museum of Craft and Design, “Buttons On” presents the first retrospective of Beau McCall, who has created art from buttons over a 40-year career.
This fascinating exploration illustrates the whimsical possibilities when a child discovers the potential in a jar of collected buttons.
The museum’s other exhibition, “A Roadmap to Stardust,” is a modern inquiry into humankind’s insatiable curiosity about the cosmos.
Additionally, the Letterform Archive, a nonprofit arts center dedicated to graphic design, has launched its 10-year anniversary exhibition titled “10 × 10 for 10: Ten years of Letterform Archive.”
This exhibition, running through October 12, 2025, features one hundred objects from the collection, showcasing the evolution of typographic design.
Visitors to the Chinese Historical Society of America can explore “Challenging a White-Washed History: Chinese Laundries in the U.S.,” which reviews the impact of Chinese laundries on American history.
Also present is “We are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, one family,” as well as sculptures from Frank Wong exploring memories in Chinatown.
The Asian Art Museum’s “Project Dastaan,” which discusses the 1947 Partition, will conclude on June 2, alongside other notable exhibitions.
The showcase “Yuan Goang-Ming: Everyday War” features works from the video artist who represented Taiwan at the 60th Venice Biennale and marks his first North American solo exhibition.
Birdwatching exhibitions such as “Beautiful, Bountiful, Boisterous Birds” and “Shinoda Toko: Abstract Calligraphy” are also currently showcased, with Toko’s exceptional work transitioning from traditional calligraphy to abstraction.
The museum’s “Take Out Tuesdays” provides a platform to virtually discuss artworks with docents and fellow art lovers.
On the first Sunday of each month, general admission is free, and special exhibitions are available at a discount.
At the California Academy of Sciences, “Dino Days” invites guests to explore life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, along with the opening of the traveling exhibition “Unseen Oceans” this Friday.
This exhibition offers visitors the chance to simulate a submersible experience through a digital interactive game.
Celebrate the aquarium’s 100th year with the “Venom: Fangs, Stingers, and Spines” exhibit, while the Morrison Planetarium provides stunning visuals of the universe.
The Osher Rainforest houses over 1,600 live plants and animals within its dome, providing an immersive experience.
Planning ahead is advised, and more information can be found on the Academy’s admission and ticketing page.
The Tenderloin Museum features “Lady Harriet Sebastian: The Bridgemen,” showcasing a single painting by Sebastian, who has deep ties to the Tenderloin community.
Notably, the museum is undergoing an expansion to 10,000 square feet, intending to include a corner dedicated to San Francisco’s neon history.
The museum’s endeavors to preserve trans histories and culture are also part of its offerings, with various events such as LGBTQIA+ neighborhood walking tours.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is showcasing rare objects from the book “Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum,” which will rotate every two months.
More information on admissions and reduced ticket options can be found on their official website.
Lastly, visitors can enjoy After Dark at the Exploratorium every Thursday evening, engaging with over 700 interactive exhibits designed for an adult audience.
The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts also has various offerings detailed on its website.
Noteworthy exhibitions will continue to unfold in the vibrant museum scene of San Francisco, ensuring art lovers have plenty to explore and experience.
As the art community continues to flourish, it’s essential to support these institutions during their open hours and while they exhibit thought-provoking and culturally significant works.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/06/whats-on-now-at-san-francisco-museums-june-2025/
