SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- In celebration of the de Young museum’s 125th anniversary, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco announced today The de Young Open, a juried community art exhibition welcoming submissions relating to the theme “On the Edge,” by artists from the nine Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.

“As the de Young celebrates its distinguished 125-year history in 2020, we are proud to announce The de Young Open, creating a platform for the visionary artists who enrich the Bay Area’s cultural landscape,” states Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “Amid these uncertain times, this new initiative expands the Fine Arts Museums’ ongoing commitment to the Bay Area community and serves as a celebratory sign of our community’s strength and resilience. From local artists to art lovers, we look forward to welcoming our visitors back to the de Young museum this summer with this epochal exhibition.”

The de Young Open continues the museum’s long standing tradition of engaging the local community and showcasing the talent of Bay Area artists. The theme “On the Edge” derives from an ancient Ohlone song and correlates with the de Young’s celebration of its 125th anniversary and new benefit event. Artists exhibiting work will be able to offer their pieces for sale and to retain 100 percent of the proceeds.

Timothy Anglin Burgard, Distinguished Senior Curator and Ednah Root Curator in Charge of American Art, will head a curatorial jury that includes Claudia Schmuckli, Curator of Contemporary Art and Programming, and Karin Breuer, Curator in Charge of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Bay Area artists and other local cultural leaders will augment the curatorial team.

“The Museums want to support our local art communities, particularly at a time when they are experiencing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis,” says Burgard. “This innovative exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for our visitors to view the extraordinary breadth and depth of art created in the Bay Area.”

The exhibition will be on view in the de Young museum’s Herbst Exhibition Galleries. Visual artists with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.