Dear Friends of Leica Store San Francisco,
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Leica Store San Francisco and its beloved gallery program, my heart swells with gratitude and joy. What began as a dream in 2014 has blossomed into a vibrant sanctuary for photography, a place where art and community intertwine.
French Kiss: A Love Letter to Paris by Peter Turnley, opened on August 1, 2014. The first exhibition presented by the Gallery at Leica Store San Francisco. Photo by Alex Ramos.
Our journey started with a profound moment of pride: welcoming Peter Turnley as our first gallery artist. His lens captured the world with authenticity, humanity, and timelessness that perfectly embodied the spirit of Leica photography. Peter’s work was not just art; it was a reflection of life itself, setting the tone for everything we aspired to achieve.
Left: Artist reception of Look Both Ways with Matt Stuart. Thursday, February 5, 2015. Photo by Wayne Serrano.
Right: Artist reception of A Series of Small Decisions with Todd Hido. Thursday, April 18, 2024. Photo by Carlo Velasquez.
Over the past decade, we have been honored to host an array of remarkable artists, each bringing their unique vision to our gallery walls. I think of Jim Marshall, whose deep connection to San Francisco Jazz brought the city’s soul to life through his images. Maggie Steber’s The Secret Garden of Lily LaPalma invited us into a world of hidden beauty, while Matt Stuart’s street humor reminded us of the joy found in everyday moments. Mark de Paola’s evolution from 60 Seconds to A Stab of Heaven has been a journey of growth and inspiration for us all.
Each exhibition has been a shared experience, a dialogue between the artist, the viewer, and the city we love. We’ve grown together, learning from each other and finding inspiration in the stories told through the lens.
Left: Visual Storytelling Workshop with Darcy Padilla. Saturday, November 18, 2023. Photo by Lucien Liu.
Right: Fishing, Following, & Falling Workshop with Gus Powell. Saturday, August 19, 2023. Photo by Lucien Liu.
Education has always been a cornerstone of our mission. We were privileged to host workshops with the renowned Ralph Gibson, whose sessions enriched our community three times with his profound insights and mastery. Gus Powell’s street walking and critique style workshops brought a fresh, dynamic perspective to street photography, engaging participants in the vibrant life of our city streets. Darcy Padilla’s photo-intensive review sessions offered invaluable feedback and guidance, helping photographers refine their craft and find their unique voice.
Left: Jim Marshall’s Haight / Ashbury Street Corner in downtown San Francisco for the exhibition The Photography of Jim Marshall. Monday, July 20, 2015. Photo courtesy of Leica Store San Francisco.
Right: Jake Ricker’s Strange Paradise on view at the exhibition This Must Be The Place. Artist reception on February 8th, 2024. Photo by Lucien Liu.
Being part of the Bay Area photo community, especially here in downtown San Francisco, fills me with a sense of pride and responsibility. Our gallery has become a canvas for local talent, a place where the beauty of our home is rediscovered times again. Jake Ricker’s love letter to the Golden Gate Bridge, Pamela Gentile’s portraits of historical theaters, Travis Jensen’s exhilarating street scenes, and the legendary Fred Lyon’s luminous noir images have all allowed us to see our city anew.
As I reflect on these past ten years, I am deeply moved by the incredible talent we have showcased and the unwavering support from our community. Your enthusiasm and love for photography have been the heartbeat of our gallery, driving us to continue exploring and celebrating photographic art.
Left: The Beautiful Cliché by Renato D’Agostin on view. November, 2014. Photo by Alex Ramos.
Right: Zurumbático by Luis Cobelo on view. June, 2024. Photo by Lucien Liu.
Looking ahead, I am filled with hope and excitement for the future. Together, we will continue to celebrate the power of photography, nurturing new talents and sharing the beauty and stories that make our world so rich.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to many more years of inspiration, creativity, and shared moments.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Lucien Liu
Gallery Coordinator
The Gallery at Leica Store San Francisco
We are grateful to the artists who have shared their vision with us over the past 10 years! For more inspiration, please visit our Gallery page: https://gallery.leicastoresf.com
Devin Allen • Steven Bollman • Carrie Boretz • Richard Bram • David Burnett
Henri Cartier-Bresson • Rachel Cobb • Luis Cobelo • Renato D’Agostin • Maciej Dakowicz
Mark de Paola • Elliott Erwitt • Misha Erwitt • Donna Ferrato • Frank Fournier
Jason Francisco • Brian L Frank • Danny Wilcox Frazier • Lee Friedlander • Pamela Gentile
Ingeborg Gerdes • Ralph Gibson • Dave Glass • Charles Harbutt • Todd Hido
Travis Jensen • Edward Keating • William Klein • Kim Komenich • Saul Leiter • Ken Light
Fred Lyon • Graciela Magnoni • Vivian Maier • Jim Marshall • Joel Meyerowitz
Melissa O’Shaughnessy • Darcy Padilla • Gus Powell • Ted Pushinsky • Eli Reed
Jake Ricker • Brandon Ruffin • Sebastião Salgado • Richard Sandler • Jamel Shabazz
Maggie Steber • Harvey Stein • Louis Stettner • Matt Stuart • Andy Summers
Peter Turnley • Andres Vargas • Rebecca Norris Webb • Alex Webb • Garry Winogrand
To view the exhibition online and inquire about prints, please see our Artsy page:
