Mill Valley Art Festival

Last weekend I showed my work at the Mill Valley Art Festival, a beautiful venue for sharing and experiencing art. The yearly juried festival features 150 artists across the United States in a park like setting in the redwoods. The festival is in its 62nd year and is one of the top art festivals in the Bay Area. I am grateful that my work was selected and I could participate in this event.

Mill Valley Art Festival - sculptures and wall art by Lutz Hornischer

At the art festival I exhibited several new contemporary wall art pieces made from reclaimed redwood, including “Go with the Flow III”, “Flowery” and “Little Marblings” - see photo below.

Contemporary wall art at Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival - Little Marblings by Lutz Hornischer

Sausalito Art Festival

The Sausalito Art Festival, America's Premiere Waterfront Art Festival, is held annually on Labor Day Weekend, Sept 1, 2, and 3, 2018. I am very excited that my work was selected for the 2018 festival. I will show my newest work of contemporary sculptures and wall art made from reclaimed wood. The event features fine art from 200+ artists, music, food, and wine and is considering one of the most prestigious art festivals in the country. I hope you can join me.

Sausalito Art Festival: Contemporary sculptures and wall art by Lutz Hornischer

Art exhibition at corporate office of North Berkeley Investment Partners

North Berkeley Investment Partners, an advisory company with a commitment to sustainability and social responsible communities is hosting a new art exhibition in its offices. The new exhibition is called "Reclamation" and features selected works by local artists Wilma Wyss, Lutz Hornischer and Shelley Gardener. The theme of the show is based on reclaimed and recycled materials acting as inspiration for creating something new and extraordinary. The exhibition runs from July 16 to September 29, 2018.

You are invited to the Opening Reception and Party on Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 5:30 to 8pm at 1820 Solano Ave, Berkeley CA. More information and RSVP.

Art Exhibition "Reclamation" with selected works by Wilma Wyss, Lutz Hornischer and Shelley Gardener at North Berkeley Investment Partners

h u g o m e n t o

Only a block away from the Minnesota Street Project Art Galleries is another beautiful gallery, h u g o m e n t o. This gallery in the San Francisco Dogpatch neighborhood is currently featuring my sculptures and wall art together with ceramics artist Carole Neilson. The show, called "Sawdust Rising - The After Afterlife of Trees", runs through September 15, 2018.

h u g o m e n t o, owned and curated by Hugo Lai, presents storied art & objects from near and afar. Hugo has established a very unique and inviting space where artwork comes alive. Below are some photos (photo credit: Hugo Lai) of my and Carole's artwork in his inspiring gallery. Enjoy!

h u g o m e n t o - Contemporary wall sculpture by Lutz Hornischer

h u g o m e n t o - Wooden sculptures and wall art by Lutz Hornischer and ceramic plates and cups by Carole Neilson

h u g o m e n t o - Sculptures "Little Picasso" series by Lutz Hornischer and smoke fired ceramics by Carole Neilson

h u g o m e n t o - Floor sculptures by Lutz Hornischer and ceramic vases by Carole Neilson

SHOH Gallery Art Exhibition

SHOH Art Gallery (SHOHARTS) in collaboration with OkStereo opened a new show on June 1, 2018 with seven contemporary artists from the Bay Area - Carol Aust, Lutz Hornischer, Heide McDowell, Francesca Saveri, Kirsten Tradowsky, Jan Wurm and Stephen Namara. I am honored to be part of this exhibition with five of my sculptures and wall art pieces. The exhibition is installed in the beautiful Oakland landmark building "American Bag Co" on third street and curated by SHOH (SHOH's main gallery is in the Gilman district of Berkeley). Showing by appointment only, please contact SHOH Gallery to see and purchase the artwork.

SHOH Art Gallery: Soundwave II, modern wall sculpture by Lutz Hornischer

Helix - wood sculpture by Lutz Hornischer at OkStereo

SHOH / OkStereo Art Gallery, Events and High-End Audio

East Bay Open Studios 2018 - Meet and support Local Artists

The East Bay Open Studios are coming up on June 2/3 and June 9/10 2018 in the San Francisco East Bay. This is a great opportunity to discover new art and to meet local artists in their studios. This year there will be more that 190 participating artists across Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, Albany and other East Bay cities. I will also open my studio on both weekends from 11am to 5pm and hope to see you. 

For location and schedule details, please go to the East Bay Open Studios website. 

East Bay Open Studios 2018 - contemporary wood sculptures and wall art by Lutz Hornischer

East Bay Open Studios 2018 Guidebook

h u g o m e n t o Art Gallery in San Francisco: Sawdust Rising - The After Afterlife of trees

Come join us for the upcoming show "Sawdust Rising - The After Afterlife of Trees" presented by h u g o m e n t o in San Francisco, starting on June 2, 2018. My sculptural work will be shown together with ceramics by artist Carole Neilson. Our creations are leveraging recycled materials, bringing the past back to life and embracing the beauty of natural imperfections. In the process, sawdust arises: My work produces sawdust when I carve into reclaimed redwood, and Carole uses sawdust to smoke fire her beautiful ceramics. h u go m e n t o is an art gallery/concept shop in Dogpatch, San Francisco, offering storied art & objects from near and afar. We are looking forward to seeing you at the artist reception.   

Artist Reception: Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 5pm to 8pm

Exhibition: June 2, 2018 to July 15, 2018

h u g o m e n t o Art Gallery
807 22nd street (map)
San Francisco, CA

h u g o m e n t o Art Gallery presents "Sawdust Rising - The After Afterlife of Trees" featuring wood sculptures by Lutz Hornischer and smoke fired ceramics by Carole Neilson.

Art Auction at Minnesota Street Project Galleries for Hospitality House

Last week, Minnesota Street Project hosted the annual art benefit auction for Hospitality House, a community center serving residents of the Tenderloin, SOMA and Mid-Market of San Francisco with programs to overcome chronic poverty and its effects. Many local artists donated artwork that was auctioned in a live and silent auction to raise money for this organization and programs. It was exciting to see so many different artworks from other local artists and also to be part of this community helping to raise funds for a good cause.

"Wilderness" wall sculpture at Art Auction Minnesota Street Project for Hospitality House

Benefit Art Auction at Minnesota Street Project for Hospitality House in San Francisco

My sculptures at SFMOMA Artist Gallery

Last week I dropped off a few new sculptures and wall art at SFMOMA Artist Gallery at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The Artist Gallery represents emerging and established contemporary artists of California, and I am very honored that they represent my work. The gallery provides art placement services to architects, interior designers, corporations and individuals. They have a beautiful space at Fort Mason and you can make an appointment to see my work and art from many other local artists. Two of the new pieces I have on display at the SFMOMA Artist Gallery are "Contemporary Driftwood" and "Around the World".

Sculpture drop-off at SFMOMA Artist Gallery

Contemporary Driftwood, 59x10x10, reclaimed redwood, at SFMOMA Artist Gallery

Around the World, 17x48x2, reclaimed redwood, at SFMOMA Artist Gallery

Artspan Art Auction in San Francisco

Last weekend, March 24, 2018, was the ArtSpan Benefit Art Auction in San Francisco, and this years event was even more successful than last year. And it was also a lot of fun with good food and the opportunity to meet fellow artists and collectors. My wooden wall sculpture "Wild Times" was featured in the silent auction and I am happy to say that it raised a substantial amount for the ArtSpan organization. This year's fundraiser was focused on raising money for the new ArtSpan Onondaga Art Center. Thank you all for supporting the local artist community of the San Francisco Bay Area. And a big thank you to the ArtSpan team and all the volunteers to hosting a great event. 

"Wild Times" wall sculpture at ArtSpan Art Auction in San Francisco 2018 by Lutz Hornischer

ArtSpan Benefit Art Auction in San Francisco 2018: "Wild Times" wooden wall sculpture (photo credit: Scott Fin)

Yountville Art Festival - Art, Sip and Stroll on April 28, 2018

I am very exited that my work was selected again for the upcoming Yountville Art Festival - Art, Sip and Stroll on April 28, 2018 in the beautiful town of Yountville. I have a new booth setup and will show new work, both sculptures and wall art, all made for reclaimed redwood. In addition to amazing art from over 40 artists, there will be plenty of good food, wine and music. For more details check out the art festival website.  

Hope to see you there - you don't want to miss it. The location and the vibe of the show is just beautiful and inspiring.

Nice article about my wood art in San Francisco online magazine

As part of the recent Open Studio at Room and Board, the San Francisco online magazine BobCut wrote a nice article about my wood sculptures, my inspiration, the sustainability aspect of my work and my artistic process. Read full article.

San Francisco Artist Reception and Open Studios at Room and Board

I am very excited that Room and Board of San Francisco has invited me to show my work at their San Francisco showroom for the upcoming SF Open Studio by ArtSpan.org. Room and Board is hosting 16 local artists and kicks off the art show with an artist reception on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 6 to 8pm at 685 Seventh Street in San Francisco. Enjoy beautiful art, live music by Caleb Murray and the Blue Horizon and food from Troya, a local modern Turkish Mediterranean eatery.

Please RSVP Now! 

If you can't make it to the opening reception, you can also see the artwork at Room and Board's beautiful showroom on the official SF Open Studio weekend, November 4 and 5, 2017 from 11am to 6pm. Don't miss the opportunity to see great local art in a stunning showroom and the chance to talk to the artists. Hope to see you. 

Bubbles - reclaimed redwood on concrete, 59 x 11 x 7

Carved by Nature - reclaimed redwood on steel plate, 60 x 10 x 10

Easter Island 71 - reclaimed redwood on steel, 55 x 12 x 12

Flames - reclaimed Douglas fir wood on steel plate, 40 x 12 x 12

Neyborly - A New Space to enjoy and buy local art in San Francisco and Berkeley

Neyborly is one of these new type of event spaces that serve the local community, both for personal and business purposes. They have two locations in Berkeley and just opened their third location in San Francisco, offering co-working during the day, and event space in the evening and on weekends - from small private events, to larger public events and corporate meetings. Unlike conference centers or hotels, Neyborly's spaces are hip and unique, offering a personal touch. The design is aligned with the neighborhood. They have lots of natural light, use natural materials and they show lots of art from local artists, including myself - see photos below.

Places like these are a win - win for local communities. People can enjoy and discover new art in a place where they would not expect it, and artists have a new venue to show and sell their work. Thank you Neyborly!

Neyborly Poet’s Corner Berkeley: Marylin - Reclaimed Wood - 72 x 40 x 2

Neyborly Union Square San Francisco: The Wave - Reclaimed redwood - -27 x 54 x 5

Neyborly Poet’s Corner Berkeley: Reclaimed Wood - 60 x 40 x 2

Neyborly Union Square San Francisco: The Wave - Reclaimed redwood - 27 x 54 x 5

Interior Design with Wall Art and Sculptures from Reclaimed Wood

During a recent art show, I talked to an interior designer about my wooden wall art and sculptures. She said that more and more people like to include natural materials such as wood into their home design projects. Especially reclaimed and salvaged wood is becoming more attractive to people in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. Many of theses modern design projects are based on hard surfaces such as concrete, steel and glass, wooden wall art and sculptures can act as a complementary element - bringing in warmth, color and aliveness.. Since I use linseed oil for my work instead of varnish, the colors and grain of the wood radiate in a dramatic way. In addition, the linseed oil surface gives the piece an almost sensual feel when touched - and sculptures are meant to get touched to fully experience their beauty.

The old image of using reclaimed wood just for rustic craft projects and furniture is not longer true. Reclaimed wood can be transformed into modern fine art and contemporary sculptures that complement modern and timeless interior design for both, residential and commercial projects. If you would like to learn more about my process of transforming reclaimed wood into fine art, please contact me.

Wooden sculpture "La Luz" as an object for interior design

Wooden wall art "Mountain Ridge" above a fireplace mantel as an idea for interior design

Art for Yoga Studios, Resorts and Corporate Retreats

At several recent art shows and exhibitions people told me "This is the perfect sculpture for a Yoga Studio, Resort or Corporate Retreat" when they saw the three pieces below. I agree! The pieces are called "Presence", 'Yogi" and "Sitting Meditation". They are made out of reclaimed wood and embody calmness, simplicity and mindfulness. Actually, one of the pieces "Presence" has made it's way to the sanctuary and meditation hall of 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, CA, where it sits silently and hopefully reminds people of presence and compassion.  1440 Multiversity is a new learning destination and corporate retreat center that offers immersion workshops for Health, Wellness, Personal and Professional Development. I am very grateful that my work can be part of the journeys of people who attend these workshops. If you are looking for a piece of art for your yoga studio or retreat center, please contact me.

Presence - Wood Sculpture - 40 x 30 x 5

Yogi - Wood Sculpture - 33 x 30 x 5

Sitting Meditation - Wood Sculpture - 22 x 26 x 8

Buy Art in San Francisco Bay Area

"The freshest art is locally grown" - this is the motto of SHOH, a local art gallery in the San Francisco East Bay, and a real gem in the Gilman District of Berkeley showing beautiful work of local artists. Art is an important element of each community. I am grateful to meet people and organizations like SHOH that support this belief. Whether you are interested in buying some of your first art work or are a serious art collector, think local, and buy local in the San Francisco Bay Area. Only then, local artist can live and prosper here in the Bay Area to make even more art and inspire our daily lives.

Here is a list of local galleries and shared studios that either support local art or are run by local artists:

• ArtSpan.org: the art institution in San Francisco that offers pretty much everything around local art, both for collectors and for artists. It hosts learning events, a yearly benefit auction, yearly Open Studios, "call for art" opportunities with many local businesses, hotels and restaurants, and many other things around art.

• Arc Gallery & Studios: a shared studio space, art consultant and gallery with big focus on local art and frequent "call for artist" opportunities and shows.

• The Compound Gallery: a unique, very well run, shared studio space and gallery with pretty much anything a creative person can ask for: woodshop, ceramics studio, print making, 3-D printing, gigantic space with work tables, studios and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

• SHOH Gallery: a beautiful art gallery space featuring contemporary sculptures and fine art in the Gilman District of Berkeley - see above.

• Art for AIDS: a yearly benefit art auction in San Francisco run by UCSF Alliance Health Project. Local artist can donate their work for a good cause and show their work, and patrons can buy local art while donating for a good cause. Sounds like a win, win, win! This years benefit art auction is coming up on October 20, 2017.

• East Bay Open Studios: offers a yearly event where artists open up their studios. Great way to see local art in one weekend.

• ACCI Gallery: an artist run gallery in the Gourmet Ghetto of Berkeley. They have member artists, but also open up to other artists during their frequent "call for artists".

• Richmond Art Center: One of the largest east bay organizations to offer hands-on art education, studio spaces and contemporary exhibitions in their galleries.

• Berkeley Art Center: Nonprofit organization that supports the visual arts from young school artist to professional artists through membership programs, art shows, talks and learning opportunities.

• Art Explosion Studios: an artist community and studio space in San Francisco that I discovered only recently at their Open Studio. I saw some really great work there.

There are other organizations, galleries and spaces that support local artists, but I wanted to share a few places I have experienced as an artist myself. And always remember "The freshest art is locally grown!"

Invited to Art for AIDS Benefit Auction in October 2017

I am very excited that one of my wall sculptures was selected for the upcoming art benefit auction "Art for AIDS". You can see an online preview on their website. Art for AIDS features artworks generously donated by an artist, gallery or collector in support of the UCSF Alliance Health Project's mental health services for the LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities. The event takes place on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the City View at Metreon in San Francisco, CA. It features a silent and live auction combined with food, wine and cocktails from 6pm to 10pm. If you are interested in this inspiring community event you can purchase tickets and sponsorships to support this important mission of the UCSF Alliance Health Project. I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Art for AIDS auction 2017 in San Francisco: Ripple Effect wood sculpture by Lutz Hornischer

Wood Art Open Studio

A couple of weeks ago, I opened my Art Studio as part of the East Bay Open Studios event (in the San Francisco Bay Area), where 200 artists showed their work. I had my latest sculptures and wood wall art on display and enjoyed it a lot to talk about my work, show my process and answer questions. Thanks to everyone for coming. If you did not have a chance to come, here is a photo that shows some of the work. You can also contact me for a private tour.

From Reclaimed Fence Board to Fine Art and Contemporary Sculptures

You probably have seen old redwood fences in your neighborhood - gray, moldy and cracked. After 30 or 40 years, they often get thrown out. Not many people realize that there is so much beauty inside this old redwood. As a sculptor and wood artist, my goal is to discover the beauty and spirit of the old wood and bring it back to life through contemporary sculptures and wall art. Redwood is mostly thought of as a material to make rustic outdoor sculptures and furniture, but rarely seen as a material for refined, elegant or graceful sculptures. I enjoy the challenge of using a rustic material and transform it into fine art and sculptures. Here is an image of an old fence and  reclaimed redwood after it got scrubbed and cleaned.

Each piece of wood is unique. I start with observing "what wants to emerge". Sometimes I can see it from the outside, but often iI have to look inside and start carving to see the color, flow of the grain and texture of the wood. Since the dimensions of a single wood board are fixed (5 feet by 8 inches by 3/4 inch), I often laminate several boards to be able to create larger sculptures. When I start carving, I let the wood guide me, exploring and setting free the inside. After lots of carving and even more sanding, I usually apply several coats of oil to bring out the beautiful color and grain of the wood. Here are a few of my sculptures and wall art pieces I created using reclaimed redwood fence boards:

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Bubbles - 62 x 9 x 6

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3500 Years - 48 x 16 x 4

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La Luz - 62 x 9 x 6

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Mountain Ridge - 48 x 20 x 5

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Volcano of Flowers - 12 x 12 x3

When people see and touch the finished sculptures, they tell me that the warmth and softness of the wood and the elegance and flow of the piece makes it hard to believe that the wood came from an old fence. The beauty is always on the inside, you just have to look for it.