Entangled Lineage

As we approach SFArtsED Gallery's 10th anniversary in 2026, we're pleased to invite a group of artists, many of whom have taught with the organization over its 58-year history, to reflect on the influences of their past mentors on their creative practice. Mentorship comes in many forms, and this exhibition just scratches at the surface. Many artists at some point in their creative journey are profoundly moved by a mentor or teacher, and this interaction shapes the way they perceive the world –and, in turn, create. There is no single way that art is taught, many teachers who leave such an indelible mark teach in unconventional ways, often pushing students to think beyond boundaries. The best teachers do not simply pass on what they know, but rather empower students to become lifelong learners. They inspire a curiosity about the way things work, whether leading by example or showing us what not to do. For this group exhibition, we asked artists to present their artwork alongside a work by one of their past mentors. While works by artists and their mentors vary wildly in style, material and thematic approach, here, an entangled lineage emerges. Somewhere in the liminal space between student and teacher, there is space for creative transformation and artistic growth.