Arrivals, an Art-In-Neighborhoods Exhibition presented by ArtSpan at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Made possible with support from Hudson Pacific Properties.
This call for art solicits 2D and low-relief 3D wall art that explores themes of transit, immigration, and belonging. Selected artists will have their work included in a three week exhibition in the Grand Hall of San Francisco's historic Ferry Building, July 19 - August 2, 2026, and be invited to table on the Market floor of the Ferry Building during the closing weekend of SF Open Studios on October 24 & 25, 2026.
Arrivals highlights the Ferry Building's legacy as the primary port of entry to San Francisco, the Bay Area, and California. The building that has served as a threshold since 1898, where countless journeys of hope, resilience, and new beginnings have unfolded.
The exhibition will be accompanied by multiple events: a members preview, a free public opening celebration, an urban sketching mixer, and an SF Open Studios pop-up.
Historical Context: The Ferry Building as Gateway
Since its opening in 1898, the Ferry Building has served as San Francisco’s front door. At its peak, it was one of the busiest transit terminals in the world, welcoming over 50,000 passengers daily. For over a century, it has been the first glimpse of San Francisco for travelers arriving by boat and rail.
The building has stood witness to many waves of immigration: Chinese laborers building the transcontinental railroad; Japanese families before and after internment; Filipino agricultural workers; Latin American communities, and refugees from across the globe. Each group has passed through this portal, carrying their stories, languages, traditions, and dreams.
Today, the Ferry Building remains a site of transit and gathering where San Francisco’s remarkable diversity converges. This exhibition asks: What does it mean to feel welcome in a city built by immigrants on unceded indigenous land? How do we honor those who came before while creating space for those arriving today? How do we encounter each other when moving through shared space?
Theme and Artistic Direction
Arrivals invites artists to reflect on the immigrant experience. Past, present, and future. The Ferry Building itself is a monument to arrival. A threshold between the journey and the destination, between leaving and arriving.
We seek artwork that explores:
• The moment of arrival, literal or metaphorical, and the emotions it carries.
• Journeys across borders, oceans, or internal landscapes.
• The act of welcoming: Who is welcomed? Who does the welcoming? What does it mean to feel welcome?
• Cultural identity, adaptation, and the negotiation between heritage and home.
• Family histories, migration stories, and intergenerational memory.
• The threshold experience: Standing between multiple worlds, identities, homes.
• Hope, resilience, loss, and the courage to begin again.
• San Francisco as a city of immigrants and its evolving relationship with newcomers.
Important Information
• Exhibiting artists each receive a $500 stipend and complimentary Premier-level SF Open Studios registration for Weekend 5 presentation at the Ferry Building, October 25-26, 2026.
• Five artists will be selected, each showing multiple works.
• Exhibited artwork will be displayed in the Ferry Building’s Grand Hall.
• All exhibited artworks must be available for purchase and will be featured in ArtSpan’s online store.
• Exhibited works will be featured on ArtSpan's social channels and marketing communications.
• All work must be 2D or low-relief 3D, wired and ready to hang (no cleats or sawtooth hardware).
• Dimensions should not exceed 40 inches on the longest side.
• Artists must have active ArtSpan Artist Membership to apply.
• All exhibited artworks must be available for purchase through ArtSpan. Artists receive 70% of total sales.
• Exhibiting artists must have their work onsite for the full duration of the exhibition, including installation days, July 15 – August 2, 2026.
• Selected artists are required to participate in the SF Open Studios pop-up at the Ferry Building on October 24–25, 2026. See SF Open Studios Pop-Up section for full details.
Artist Eligibility and Selection
Artists must be current or new ArtSpan Artist Members to participate. We encourage submissions from:
• First and second-generation immigrants
• Artists whose work engages with cultural identity, migration, or diaspora themes
• Artists working in any medium that can be presented as wall-hanging 2D or low-relief 3D work
• Both emerging and established artists
Selection will be made collaboratively by ArtSpan and Hudson Pacific Properties, with priority given to work that authentically engages with the exhibition themes and demonstrates artistic excellence.
Dates and Details
• Location: Grand Hall, San Francisco’s Ferry Building (1 Ferry Building, San Francisco)
• Exhibition Period: July 19 to August 2, 2026 (approximately 3 weeks)
• Public Exhibition Hours: 8AM to 6PM daily
• Submissions Open: Thursday, April 16, 2026
• Submissions Deadline: Monday, May 11, 2026 @ 11:59PM
• Artist Notifications: End of May, 2026
• Artwork Drop-off:
◦ Tuesday, July 14, 3–7PM
◦ Wednesday, July 15, 3–7PM
• Exhibition De-installation and Artwork Pick-up: Sunday, August 2, 5–8PM
• Artwork Pick-up: Monday, August 3, 11AM–3PM
Exhibition Events (Artist must be present for all)
• ArtLover Members Preview: Saturday, July 18, 1–4PM. Intimate curator-led walkthrough, brief artist remarks and preview reception for ArtSpan ArtLover members and Ferry Building VIP guests.
• Opening Celebration: Thursday, July 23, 6–9PM. Free public celebration with artist presentations, and light refreshments.
• Artist Mixer and Urban Sketching: Saturday, August 1, 11AM–1PM. Urban sketching event in and around the Ferry Building, connecting participating artists with community members.
Special Events (Select Artists)
• SF Open Studios Pop-Up: October 24–25, 2026, 9AM–5PM. Artists present additional work and engage directly with visitors.
Exhibition Artwork Requirements
• All artwork must be wired and ready to hang. No sawtooth hangers or cleats.
• Installation will be handled by ArtSpan’s professional team in coordination with the venue.
• Artists are responsible for timely drop-off and pick-up.
• Artwork remains installed for the full duration of the exhibition regardless of sale.
To Submit
Complete the application form and upload 5-8 digital images of artwork related to exhibition themes and 1-2 images proposed or past Open Studios presentation examples. Please include:
• Include an artist statement (250–500 words) on your connection to the themes of arrival, immigration, welcome, and/or belonging, and a brief description of how your submitted work relates to the exhibition concept.
• Applicants must hold a current ArtSpan Artist Membership and be available for artwork drop-off, all exhibition events, and the SF Open Studios pop-up weekend.
File Name Format: LastName-Title-HeightxWidthxDepth.jpg, LastName-OpenStudios.jpg
Submissions without correct file labeling will be rejected.
Sales and Commission on Exhibition Artwork
All exhibited artwork in July to August will be available for purchase, with proceeds directly supporting the artist and ArtSpan’s programs:
• Artist receives 70% of sale price
• ArtSpan receives 30% of sale price
• Ferry Building / Hudson Pacific Properties receives 0% commission
SF Open Studios Pop-Up (October 2026)
A select number of artists from this exhibition will be invited to participate in a San Francisco Open Studios pop-up at the Ferry Building on October 24–25, 2026. This is a separate activation in the main artery hallway on the ground level of the Ferry Building providing the unique opportunity to directly engage with and sell work to Ferry Building visitors.
What Artists Receive
• Complimentary Premier-level registration
• Listing in the SF Open Studios printed guide
• 1 table (6 x 2 ft) and 2 chairs provided by the venue
• Overnight storage (if available) and security provided by the venue
• Professional documentation
SF Open Studios Schedule
• Setup: Friday, October 23, 4–8PM. Saturday and Sunday, October 24–25, 9–11AM.
• Public Hours: Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 11AM–5PM.
• Celebration Event (tentative): Saturday, October 24, 5–7PM.
• Takedown: Sunday, October 25, 5–8PM.
SF Open Studios Sales Terms
• ArtSpan receives 0% commission on additional artworks brought into the space during the pop-up
• Hudson Pacific Properties / Venue receives 0% commission
• Artists may bring additional work beyond what was shown in the July–August exhibition
Artists are expected to be present during public hours on both Saturday and Sunday. Additional details about the pop-up, including layout and logistics, will be shared with selected artists after the exhibition is confirmed.
About the Partnership
This exhibition is a collaboration between ArtSpan and the Ferry Building, with support from Hudson Pacific Properties. Together, we are committed to celebrating San Francisco’s immigrant heritage and creating meaningful opportunities for local artists to share their stories in public space.
The Ferry Building’s Grand Hall, with its dramatic skylight and historic architecture, provides an ideal setting for this exhibition. A space that has welcomed millions of arrivals and continues to serve as a gathering place for our diverse city.
About the Art-In-Neighborhoods Program
The Art-In-Neighborhoods program strives to create visibility and accessibility for local arts in San Francisco by connecting communities with local artists and activating spaces with vibrant, locally-made artwork. We partner with local businesses and building owners to bring pop-up art exhibitions and art events to dormant storefronts, empty spaces for lease, and businesses seeking artwork for their walls. Local artists who are ArtSpan members are given the opportunity to display, promote, and sell their artwork in these diverse venues. The Art-in-Neighborhoods program allows otherwise unused properties and spaces to become creative arenas for celebrating local arts.
About the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is an iconic, historic landmark that acts as the gateway to San Francisco and as a civic gathering place for residents and tourists alike. The Marketplace offers a vibrant collection of primarily local, independently owned shops and restaurants dedicated to the customers they serve. The Ferry Building is committed to the artisan food community and to fostering the values of that community, serving as a gathering place for the celebration of local culture and cuisine.