Resilience, Craft and Design: Meet JoAnn Edwards of the Museum of Craft & Design

JoAnn Edwards, Executive Director of the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco, CA stands amidst sculptures by Michael Cooper. Photographed April 9, 2013.

Resilience?  What does that have to do with the opening of the Museum of Craft and Design in Dogpatch?  Plenty, it turns out.  Not only did co-founder and executive director JoAnn Edwards have to deal with the to-be-expected difficulties of opening an 8,500 square foot museum, she had to do it without her brother and co-founder, Seb Hamamjian, by her side.

Hamamjian passed away just days before the April opening of the museum.  Edwards continued with all the events marking the opening of the museum just as she did in 2004 when her mother, who was also involved with the museum, passed away prior to the founding of the museum.  She persevered yet again in 2010 after losing their Union Square location when unsafe conditions in the building caused damage to some of the art.  Instead of closing, she soon had a series of pop-up museums open to the public.

Resilient and obviously passionate about her much stated goal of having a "museum for people who don't necessarily go to museums."

We sat down with Edwards a few days after the flurry of events marking the opening of the museum.  Nearby, workers continued to hang signs and put other finishing touches on the museum.  Although anyone would have expected her to be exhausted after the emotional roller coaster of the weeks and days leading up to the opening, Edwards projected a calm, focused intensity.

American Artist Michael Cooper with one of his sculptures at the Museum of Craft and Design in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA on Thursday, April 4, 2013. 

Why do you do what you do?

For the artists.  They do not get the recognition that they deserve.  When the museum opened in 2004, we were the first to support craft artists.  Now of course the De Young as well as other museums like the MFA in Boston and Houston support this type of artist.

But in 2004 we were the first.  Since the early 1980s, my brother and I had promoted the work of artists in craft and design through the galleries we operated in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and San Francisco.  Eventually we came to believe that while a gallery that is focused on selling art is important to an artist, a museum exhibition can change their career.  We wanted to focus and nurture artists that may not be instantly commercially successful.

But of course a non-profit museum is very different from a retail business!  And we had no idea how to start a museum.  But no one told us we were crazy to do it so we did our research then secured the needed funding, artists and management team and we were launched!

Creatures of the Deep by artist Arline Fisch at the Museum of Craft and Design in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Why Dogpatch?

Dogpatch was a very considered choice for us.  And a natural fit.  After we lost our Union Square location, we launched a series of pop-up museums.  We hosted temporary locations in several neighborhoods including the Castro, SOMA, Hayes Valley and Dogpatch. At the same time we continued to look for a permanent space. We must have looked at 100 potential locations.  One day our architect said, "you guys are scrappy and you think outside the box so look for a neighborhood like that."  We realized that he had just described Dogpatch!

We immediately felt at home as we walked around this neighborhood.  Everyone we met was welcoming.  The small town feeling really appealed to us.  And we loved being surrounded by the makers and designers who call this neighborhood home.

The other important factor in choosing Dogpatch is that the neighborhood mirrors the type of person that visits our museum.  We like to say that this isn't the "typical" museum goer.  This type of person might be a technology person or an artist or both.  Or maybe a chef or even a member of the Hells Angels!  I sometimes think that museums can be too concerned with loftier things -- we like to think that our museum is more down to earth and accessible than most museums. 

Artist Rebecca Hutchinson with her sculpture Affinity at the Museum of Craft and Design in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

So many!  We feel so supported and championed by so many Dogpatch residents and merchants.  We immediately bonded with our landlord, Greg Markoulis who worked with us to make the museum a reality.

I feel close to the team at MAC (Modern Appealing Clothing) because they are another mother, brother and sister team.

And I love what Ann Hatch is doing at Workshop Residence.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

Well, I could use a vacation!  But if I weren't doing this I would write a book.  It would be a series of short stories about family and relationships -- a subject close to my heart.

JoAnn Edwards, Executive Director of the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco, CA takes a break on a bench designed for the museum by Isaac Arms. Photographed April 9, 2013.

For a slideshow of the art and exhibits at the museum, please click on this slideshow.

Can of Corn: Meet Michael Aicardi of SF Baseball Academy

Michael Aicardi shows off his fine swing between instructing classes at San Francisco Baseball Academy in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco, CA. 

Can of corn in baseball lingo means an easy catch, a no-brainer.  And that's what we thought when we heard that Michael Aicardi had opened a baseball academy in Dogpatch.  It only seemed to make sense that a great baseball town would have a facility to train future baseball players.

So we were surprised when we actually found out that not only is his academy the first of its kind in San Francisco, but also that San Francisco is no longer known for its homegrown baseball talent like it used to be -- do the names Joe DiMaggio, Lefty O'Doul or Tony Lazzeri sound familiar?

Although Dogpatch is within walking distance of AT&T Park, the area isn't exactly teaming with green playing fields.  But we do have a lot of warehouses.  And that is where we found Aicardi just finishing up a lesson to several young hopeful future Hall of Famers.

While we waited, we checked out the equipment and the space.  Aircardi appears to have spared no expense in setting up his academy and his players for success -- state of the art pitching machines stood at the ready as did the regulation height pitchers mound.  Nets, bats and cages were all the best quality.  Even the padding on the walls were the same regulation height as at a baseball field.

And then there is the overall look of the room:  the walls are painted light blue to make you feel like you are outside, the lighting feels like natural light and there are even park benches around the training area to make bystanders feel like they are at a ballpark.

Lesson finished, the happy students took their leave but not before the mother volunteered to us how grateful she was to not have to continue to drive out of the area to find this same high level of instruction.

Can of corn, indeed.

Michael Aicardi explains the finer points of baseball at San Francisco Baseball Academy in the Dogpatch neighborhood in San Francisco, CA. The academy offers instruction to youths from the area.

Why do you do what you do?

I was always a natural athlete so I played all the various sports.  I didn't focus exclusively on baseball though until I was a teenager.  I'm from an old San Francisco North Beach family so of course my Grandma called me Baseball Joe. 

My goal was never to play professionally but I did play Division One baseball in college.  As I started to focus on baseball it became clear that San Francisco was no longer a baseball town.  Playing fields are hard to find and those that are available are in bad shape.  Bad shape because soccer tends to dominate sports here and that sport can really tear up a field and create opportunities for injuries to baseball players.  And unlike players from nearby Bay Area cities, it is rare for a SF player to get a scholarship to play Division One college baseball.

So bringing baseball back to SF is one of the main reasons I started the academy.  But an equally important reason is to help future players avoid all the injuries that I endured.  I've already had eight surgeries and I will need more in the future.  I truly believe that I injured myself because I wasn't trained properly.

When I start training with a student, I don't care if they have the baseball player "look".  I want them to have the right form and mechanics so they don't get injured and can play for a long time.

A lot of areas of study use the "who, what, why, where and when" methodology and I think it is just as important in sports so I focus on that as I train young players.

Training players is an important focus for me but just as critical is training for the coach.  So often in schools the baseball coach is the dad who has some free time.  He might be an athlete as well but most likely not properly trained.  My goal is to also offer clinics for coaches.  Proper training of player and coach will certainly reduce potential injuries for the players.

Why Dogpatch?

I feel like SF Baseball Academy is a bit of an underdog -- not well known yet but with a lot of potential.  Dogpatch has that same feeling to me.  People here seem to attack what they do with passion so they can make a living from it.

On a practical level, it is great that I was able to find a place that is so easily accessible from all parts of SF.  The landlord has been very supportive in letting me create an indoor baseball environment.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

I recently met a fellow named Paul -- he has lots of great stories about this area and about baseball.  He was a liquor salesman so he knows a lot about the sport bars in this area.  He is well dressed but still a bit edgy -- kind of like Dogpatch.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

Well, I'm from a family of professionals so I think at first I was expected to be a doctor or a lawyer.  And in college I did study communications and business.

But I knew at age 12 that I wanted to start a baseball academy in San Francisco.  So I'm finally doing what I was meant to do with my professional life. 

A San Francisco Giants bobblehead sits amongst a collection on the front desk at the San Francisco Baseball Academy in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA.

Give me some Sugar: Meet Greg Mindel of Neighbor

Greg Mindel of Neighbor Baker photographed at his pop-up in Sutton Cellars on Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA.

Loving thy neighbor is easy when it means choosing from trays of sweet and savory pastries at Neighbor bakery and when the neighbor is baker Greg Mindel.

Although it isn't that easy choosing from among the more than ten different selections available early this morning at Mindel's Thursdays-only pop-up at 22nd and Illinois in the space normally occupied by winemaker Carl Sutton and his Sutton Cellars.

Mindel's traditional croissant has garnered him much deserved praise and press for perhaps offering the only "authentic" croissant in SF but it is hard to pass up the bacon kimchi green onion croissant or the passion fruit, cocoa and almond brioche.  In the end we do indeed select the traditional croissant but also three (or four or five) of his other creations.

We were thankful to have the treats to occupy us since a seemingly endless stream of customers came in as soon Mindel opened for business.  In neighbor-like fashion, he seemed to know most of them -- shaking their hands and asking many of them if they wanted their usual or something new from the hand-written menu.

His genuine excitement at greeting each customer never flagged despite having baked all night as he does every night followed by early morning deliveries to such wholesale customers as Front Cafe, FourBarrel Coffee and SightGlass Coffee. 

Many of the customers were from nearby businesses -- even pastry rock star Michael Recchiuti lined up and filled a pastry box full of goodies to take to his co-workers. 

Although soft-spoken and modest, Mindel is exudes a quiet intensity when speaking about his plans for his year old business.

Greg Mindell serves a customer at his pop-up in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA on February 21, 2013.

Why do you do what you do?

I grew up in New York and in Florida and I started in the food business when I was 14 years old.  My first job was in an Italian deli as a dishwasher and then I worked my way up to other jobs.  The baker there was an old Navy guy who had lots of great stories.  I learned so much from him and from all the other places I worked where there was always someone who took the time to share what they knew with me.

For many years I was an instructor at the San Francisco Baking Institute, among other places, and I heard people describe me as self-taught but really, even though I didn't have a formal culinary school education, I was taught but folks like these. 

So I have this urge to give back what I've learned to the community -- to create a place where food and stories can be shared.

Besides  teaching pastry, I also baked for other shops such as Tell Tale Preserve, Spruce and  Tartine.  I always had a goal to open my own shop.  But I want to do it the right way and to me that means having as much start up capital as I can before I open a brick and mortar shop.  My current catering and wholesale business in addition to holding pop-ups will help me get the majority of the capital I need.

Why Dogpatch?

Dogpatch is my first choice for my brick and mortar shop. 

I like that Dogpatch still feels a bit like uncharted territory still -- there is still a bit of chaos in the neighborhood and I like that. 

I also really like the mix of people in the neighborhood.  My customers are PG&E workers, winemakers, caterers, technology folks, etc. and they all seem to appreciate what I have to offer.

And I grew up near the water so I like that Dogpatch is on the waterfront.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

I rent commercial kitchen space in this building from Jamieson Leadbetter, owner of Leadbetters Bakeshop.  When Tell Tale Preserve ended up shutting down, Jamieson reached out to me and offered me his kitchen space.  I appreciated his support and admire what he has done with his business.

Also, there is a guy, Paul, who is the original founder of International Pastries which is also in the American Industrial Building.  Although he sold the company, he still works there and he so reminds me of some of my early teachers.  He is a quiet character but has lots of great stories -- when he does speak you know you should listen!

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

When Tell Tale didn't work out, with my wife's blessing and much appreciated support, I took six months off and did a walkabout.  I traveled, taught, baked and thought.

And running Neighbor is what I want do be doing.  This industry is so inspiring and dynamic that you can really do so many things.

If I weren't working on this bakery then I would still be in the food business but probably in some academic way -- perhaps studying anthropology of food or culinary science.  

And why name your new adventure, Neighbor?

While on my walkabout I thought a lot about names.  I like that Neighbor means community and about being connected but not in an overly trendy or overly hyped way.  The name is inclusive -- it can cross borders and include everyone.

The barrel points the way to Neighbor bakery in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA. 

Blue no more: Cup of Blues Ready for Its Makeover

A common sight at the corner of 22nd and Minnesota is the figure of Joshua Shertz, dapper in his ever present cloth cap, pacing back and forth while talking on his cell phone or enjoying the sun with customers and friends at a table in front of his cafe, Cup of Blues.

We have often wondered why Cup of Blues serves only coffee and pastries and a few sandwich offerings and closes at 2 pm.  And as far as we could tell, there never seemed to be any blues played at all -- at least not the musical kind.  It seems like a perfect location for a bustling all day restaurant located as it is on the main merchant street of Dogpatch and within customer sharing distance of Chocolate Lab and Piccino Cafe.

Turns out Shertz and a new business partner have been planning and plotting for many months and they are almost ready to close Cup of Blues and transform the cafe into a restaurant offering something for everyone -- whether it be stopping by for a glass of wine or somewhere to go on date night.

A steady stream of customers ordered coffee and pastries the day we sat down to talk to Shertz about his plans for the cafe.

Why do you do what you do?
I love to entertain people and I love food and wine.  I started out my professional life in the music business.  I'm from New York City but moved to Los Angeles to pursue my music career although I briefly lived in San Francisco for a year before heading to L.A.  In L.A. I was a music producer and songwriter for about a decade.  I came back to SF when my dad was ill.

I decided to stay in SF -- I was pretty much done with the music business.  The business had changed from a live act business once MTV started -- I decided I needed a break.  The food/wine business is another form of entertainment.

Why Dogpatch?
I wanted a cafe that initially would be a coffee cafe but could someday be a full service restaurant.  I actually signed a lease on a great spot in  Berkeley but when I went to complete the paperwork at City Hall, I was told the city was putting a moratorium on cafes!  I was lucky that I was able to get out of my lease.

A friend drove me around SF and we eventually discovered Dogpatch.  I had never heard of this neighborhood but I liked what I saw -- homeowners putting money into their homes by painting them or doing maintenance.  And I loved all the Victorian homes.  It seemed like a neighborhood on the rise -- and this was in 1994.  And of course I liked how sunny the neighborhood was!

This site was originally a grocery store for many decades but it was being used as a living space.  I signed a lease and fixed it up and we have been here ever since.  What I didn't know that due to some issues I had with a former business partner that it would take so long to realize my goal of having a full service restaurant.

We are working on a complete redesign of this space with an architect and designer.  I can't wait to get the bars off the windows and open this place up!  We have our beer and wine license and I'm in discussions with general managers and executive chefs.  I want an approachable all day menu that will have items for breakfast, brunch as well as happy hour and late night dining. 

We will most likely close at the end of March for renovations and reopen in May. 

And there while we may at some point have live music, it will not be Blues!

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?
There are quite a few musicians and film people who live and work in Dogpatch.  I've really enjoyed meeting filmmaker David Munro and his wife, the producer Xandra Castleton,  of Grotto Films.  They are both so creative and David has some great stories.

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?
Well the first month I was in business a customer had a medical emergency in here.  I thought, "oh great, this is what it is going to be like to deal with the public!"

Over the years it has been fun to watch various production companies film in our neighborhood.  The TV show, Nash Bridges, starring Don Johnson used to film here all the time.

And the first year the Burning Man Decompression event was held on Indiana Street was just bizarre!

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?
I would still be doing something in the entertainment world but would probably be managing a band or a club.  I love to introduce people to music and artists that they may never have heard of and preferably do that while sipping a great glass of wine.

Going to the Dogs: Meet Jenn Lyons of Josi's Paw

Jenn Lyons with Pete and Siggie photographed in Dogpatch near Espirit Park. 

With an ever present baseball hat or visor clapped firmly on her head and an equally firm grip on numerous dog leashes -- the sight of dog walker Jenn Lyons coming down the street with her canine charges can bring a smile to even the most stoic city dweller.

Even the tag line of Lyons' dog walking business sets the tone:  Josi's Paw -- for friendly pets and people.

Josi's Paw is more than just a dog walking and pet sitting service though -- Lyons offers peace of mind to dog owners (sorry, caretakers) -- a reassurance that their faithful companion will not only be well exercised and cared for by Lyons, but also that Lyons will treat their dog as one of her own.

Lyons granted us an interview during a rare break in her schedule.  With her two dogs Pete and Siggie (age 6) by her side, we got to know more about this Dogpatch dog walker.

Jenn takes her charges on a walk through Dogpatch. 

Why do you do what you do?

I guess it started with my love for a dog -- Josephine -- or as I called her, Josi.  She died in 2006.  She was my first dog as an adult and she was just the best dog.  She made non-dog lovers into dog people.  I made friends because she was so sweet and affectionate to everyone.  She was my role model on how to be with people and with animals.

I didn't really consider this as a profession until I moved from the Midwest to San Francisco in 2007.  I actually worked in a retail pet shop when I moved here.  I felt like I was searching for my next career after spending time in advertising and in the fashion industry.  I knew I wasn't a desk job type person -- I need to be moving to feel happy.  And I love being outside.

So I started Josi's Paw in honor of Josephine in 2008.  It was one way for me to honor and memorialize her

And I love what I do.  I treat each client's dog as if the dog were my dog.  Even if they are complicated dogs!  I'm their caretaker.  That is important to my clients but equally important is that I keep their dog safe.  All dogs are always on a leash.

I'm also deeply aware that a client trusts me to enter their home and to take care of their loved one.  So it is important to me that I'm the one actually taking care of the dog and being in their home.  I also leave notes for each client describing how their dog did.  I think it gives the client an extra bit of reassurance to hear about their dog's day!

I also love to bring my clients together with their pets several times each year for dog parties!  I actually have an event coming up Sunday, October 28 -- a Halloween dog party at Pawtrero Pet Shop.  These parties are a lot of fun and are a good way to meet new people -- many of my clients have become my personal friends. 

I grew up in the Midwest and my relatives still can't believe that dog walking is an actual profession!

Why Dogpatch?

Most of my clients are in Dogpatch or Potrero Hill.  I love how it is off the beaten path a bit and therefore not overly busy.  And because it isn't as busy as other SF neighborhoods, it is a safer place to walk dogs.

My husband and I love the neighborhood so much we actually just bought a condo here. And of course I love the name of the neighborhood!

Jenn gets a great view from 18th street toward the Bay. 

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

It takes lots of keys.

I love walking by Ed McGary, he owns an auto detail business on Minnesota Street.  He always has jazz music playing and is so friendly to me and to the dogs.  He is charming and has a nice attitude about life.

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?

I was talking to Ian, one of the owners of Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous ice cream shop, and I admired his tattoos.  He referred me to the tattoo artist that he had used.  For my birthday I had an image of a hummingbird together with the Mandarin symbol for dog tattooed on my wrist.

A hummingbird is my animal totem -- I'm inspired by their sweetness for life and how they live in the moment.  I love how I can see the tattoo on my wrist as I walk the dogs.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

If I weren't doing this it would still have to involve dogs in some way!  Perhaps a dog friendly wine bar since I love wine and food!

Jenn's dogs are not shy for the camera. 

Linus says hello to start his walk. 

Jenn shows an imprint of Josie's paw and her hummingbird tattoo.

Article by Patricia Kline, Photos by Scott R. Kline

Let's Make a Deal! Meet Craig Sakuma of Deal Décor!

Craig Sakuma and Gregory Lok at the headquarters of Deal Décor in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA.

One of the many things we love about Dogpatch is the discoveries we find lurking behind the numerous nondescript warehouse doors that still dot the neighborhood.

One stifling hot October day we found ourselves dodging the Veritable Vegetable trucks at Tennessee and Cesar Chavez to locate a newcomer to Dogpatch -- Deal Décor.  We slipped in the door behind a young kid wearing both a San Francisco Giants hat and an Oakland Athletic jersey -- both teams had just won their divisions. 

The building directory was evidence that this particular warehouse was home to dozens of small businesses, including LightSource, Rebel8 and Acme Novelty Company but we were pretty confident that this diplomatic kid must be heading to the San Francisco Baseball Academy. 

Once inside we made our way to the offices of Deal Décor.  We were greeted by founders Craig Sakuma and Gregory Lok as well as by Billy, the resident office dog owned by a neighboring business.

The founders may have recently received $1.2 million in funding but their investors don't need to worry that it is being spent on posh office space -- their offices looked like someone had been bowling using furniture as the bowling pins -- sofas, chairs and other assorted furniture pieces were scattered throughout their office space.

Deal Décor is all about using group-buying power to offer consumers a 30-70% savings on furniture and other home goods.  The leverage of the group purchasing power allows them to cut out the expense of a middleman and ship directly to the buyer.  We wondered if perhaps the founders were fans of journalist, Thomas Friedman and his book, The World is Flat, because that is essentially at the heart of how they look at the world.  Deal Decor is using the Internet to flatten the traditional supply chain in buying furniture.  And a supply chain doesn't come much more old-school than a furniture one.

We took a few of those chairs to the less crowded and much cooler hallway to talk to Craig Sakuma about his new company.

Why do you do what you do?

Both Greg and I worked for many years in the traditional home furnishings industry.  As such we know the inner workings of the industry.  We both worked a lot in Asia and have a lot of connections there.  We saw the inefficiencies and we also knew that even though the consumer thought they were getting a unique piece of furniture, one factory in China actually makes the furniture for lots of brands.  There was really no reason to be paying such a huge mark up for the furniture.  I guess we saw an opportunity to create a whole new category in the furniture industry -- similar to how Frank & Oak is shaking up the menswear industry and how Warby Parker is offering an alternative way to buy prescription eyewear.  We are all using the power of the Internet to flatten the supply chains for traditional consumer products, which in turn creates amazing deals for consumers.

Once we have enough orders of our featured product to fill an ocean container, we have our factory build the product then we ship it direct to the consumer.  We typically have three new pieces each week and each deal last ten days.  We tested out our idea in California first.  The enthusiastic consumer response convinced us we were ready to launch nation-wide, which we just did in September.  Before we launched we actually had one consumer who lived out of state who so wanted to buy our featured product that they figured out a way to circumvent our ordering system!  Of course we had to let them know we couldn't yet sell to them but we did let them know that we are now nation-wide!

Why Dogpatch?

Until we found this space we had been working out of my apartment.  But we now have five local employees as well as three based in China.  We also needed a large space so we could photograph our samples.  So it was time to start looking for a real office.

We actually found this place on Craigslist!  It has the industrial elevators and the high ceilings we need and the location is so convenient.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

One of our neighbors here is Sam Hoffman.  He owns LightSource.  It is a large-scale digital printing studio. They do such beautiful work.  I'm so impressed with him and the work they do. 

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?

I was working here late one Sunday night and all of a sudden I hear music.  I go out in the hallway and there are party streamers everywhere and kids dancing.  It looked like a middle school dance!  Turns out the SF Baseball Academy were hosting a teenager's birthday party.  Not something you see everyday in an office building!

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

I would be looking for another start-up to run!  I grew up on the East Coast and have lived and worked all over the U.S. and internationally.  But San Francisco is unique in how friendly and supportive they are to entrepreneurs.  I love the collaborative culture here.

Burning Man Decompression 2012

For the thirteenth year, Burning Man Decompression came to Dogpatch for its annual visit this past Sunday. The street fair closed down Indiana street between Mariposa and 22nd and took in Espirit Park as well. There was the usual food, fire dancers, rave music and art cars, but the best part in our opinion, is the people.

Burners come from all around to rekindle the magic for a day. It can all seem a bit manic, but the people-watching is undeniably fun. We took the camera out several times during the day and these are some of our favorites. If self-expression is a San Francisco trademark, then it has no better counterpart than Burning Man. 

Photos by Scott R. Kline.