As you walk down Mission St., you see numerous taquerias and local coffee shops but nestled in between 24th and 25th streets is a hip clothing store and art gallery. When you step into Artillery Apparel Gallery you instantly can play a game of “I Spy.” While you play you will notice framed t-shirts, a shoe in a fishbowl and a sewing station where you can get in-house alterations. The clothes are used as art and there are traditional art pieces on the walls.
Two years after they opened, Artillery A.G. is still more than ever passionate about promoting local Latino artists and designers. They build relationships with artists from all over the Bay Area. In 2010 alone they had Launch Art Parties that featured work from Pico Sanchez,
Hayyim Sanchez, Soloman Sanchez, Rio Yanez and Leanne Rodriguez. That is just a handful of people.
“There’s a lot of great things happening on the local level, I just wanted to showcase that,” said Ivan Lopez, 25-year-old owner of the Artillery.
Lopez grew up in the Mission District and after studying Industrial Design at Pratt Institute in New York City he came back home in 2008. One year later he opened Artillery A.G. Currently there are five people on staff including Lopez’s mother. I called him to get some more information and still waiting for a phone call. But what it sound like when I interviewed him and the staff was that they all just came in and figured out they can work together. I don’t think he seeked out help. Alexa helps out with building personal relationships with the designers. Aldo helps Alexa and front desk stuff. There’s another one who wasn’t there. Her name is Rebecca and she is new.
“We had a lot of people that wanted to be a part of Artillery. It was about finding the right people. The right energy, you want to have good vibes in the store,” Lopez said.
Alexa Trevino, 23 are one of those people. Trevino stumbled upon Artillery A.G. a month after they opened. Trevino is a local photographer who takes pictures of people in the Mission District. She wants to use her talents to show everyday people and their challenges. In 2010 she and Lopez had a joint show in Artillery A.G. to showcase their talents in photography, painting and illustration. Her parents were born in Mexico and she is first generation here. She knows first hand what it is like to have parents that work multiple jobs and to pursue your passion. Trevino is excited to be working in an environment where she can develop her artistic skills and encourage younger artists in their craft.
“Teachers call me from middle schools and high schools. They want to bring their students in and show them what they can do with art. It’s especially important in Latino households because sometimes we are just told to go to school and make money. You need to go educate yourself, you can do so many things,” Trevino said.
Aldo de la Cruz-Falcon has worked at the store for a year and half and is a local designer himself. Cruz–Falcon makes bow ties for his customers. He saw a lot of people wearing them and decided to design some himself. You can visit see his bowties on his blog at http://bowtiesbyaldo.blogspot.com. He has lived here for five years after moving from Mexico City. He saw Artillery AG as a great way to support a local business.
“People in the neighborhood know us and it’s great to build those friendships. The other day at Bay to Breakers I saw a customer and they were like, ‘Artillery’,” Cruz-Falcon said.
The passion for local artist and designers is the drive that keeps Artillery A.G. going. On May 28th they will be hosting Anniversary 2. It is a party to celebrate two years of being opened. They will have a DJ and artwork from Lopez. At their parties they combine with local restaurants for the food. It is open to the public and according to Lopez their parties, “get super crowded.” But at the end of the end of the day it is about work and dedication.
“I would tell people that want to open a store to not be afraid. That you can live off something you love,” said Lopez.
No matter what happens the young crew at Artillery A.G. will continue to serve their community and be a beacon of light for all the local artists out there.
Artillery Apparel Gallery is open 7 days a week. Located at 2751 Mission St., San Francisco. http://www.artillery-ag.com/index.html