Held January 21st through January 25th during San Francisco Art Week, the FOG Design + Art Fair stands as a celebration of art and design in all its forms. The fair opened with its highly anticipated Preview Gala in partnership with San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), setting the tone for a week defined by creativity, community, and cultural dialogue. The evening featured exclusive presentations from leading 20th-century and contemporary design dealers, prominent modern and contemporary art galleries, and FOG MRKT. Beyond the glamour, the gala served a meaningful purpose, raising funds to support SFMOMA’s education initiatives, which impact over 140,000 students, teachers, youth, and families annually.
Founded in 2014 by Stanlee Gatti and Douglas Durkin, alongside a dedicated steering committee including Sarah Wendell Sherrill, Brittany Pattner, and Susan Swig, FOG was created with a mission to honor the intersection of design and visual art while highlighting how both disciplines shape contemporary society. Over the past decade, it has cultivated a strong sense of community in the Bay Area, bringing together artists, collectors, curators, designers, and enthusiasts from around the globe.
Hosted at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture at Pier 2 and Pier 3, the fair transforms the space into an immersive cultural hub. Walking through the venue, you’re felt immediately drawn into a world where historical design seamlessly aligns with contemporary experimentation. The layout encouraged discovery: each booth felt like a carefully curated environment, blending furniture, sculpture, lighting, and fine art in ways that challenged traditional boundaries.
One of the most compelling aspects of our experience was the opportunity to speak directly with artists and exhibitors. Many shared insights into their evolving practices, how material innovation, sustainability, and advancing technology are influencing their work. Several galleries emphasized a renewed interest in craftsmanship and tactility, while others explored digital processes and conceptual approaches that reflect today’s shifting cultural landscape. These conversations gave deeper context to the pieces on display, transforming them from objects into narratives about process, intention, and societal reflection.
Attending FOG was more than viewing an exhibition, it was about feeling immersed in a living ecosystem of creativity. The energy throughout the fair was palpable: collectors engaging thoughtfully with gallerists, designers exchanging ideas, and emerging artists finding space within a broader conversation. FOG continues to evolve year after year, strengthening the Bay Area’s cultural landscape while positioning itself as a global platform for forward-thinking design and art. Through its blend of philanthropy, innovation, and community building, FOG exemplifies how art and design can both reflect and actively shape the world around us.