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Prime Buyers Guide Art Dealers

Find the Best Art Galleries & Art Dealers in San Francisco

Good art galleries in San Francisco have a great range of first edition pieces including those by San Francisco artists, as well as San Francisco art dealers who can perform art sales for the pieces you're seeking.

The following research by The Prime Buyer's Report identifies the best art dealers in San Francisco and issues related to buying art from them.

Updated March 14, 2013

Top 10 Art Dealers in San Francisco

Limn Gallery
(415) 977-1300
290 Townsend St
San Francisco, CA 94107

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, Design District, Mission Bay

Masterworks Fine Arts Institute
(415) 362-3906
251 Post St # 500
San Francisco, CA 94108

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Union Square, Chinatown, Downtown San Francisco CA, Nob Hill

Gallery 444
(415) 434-4477
444 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Union Square, Downtown San Francisco, Lower Haight, Civic Center

Minna Street Gallery
(415) 974-1719
111 Minna St
San Francisco, CA 94105

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Rincon Hill, Embarcadero, Financial District, South Beach

Franklin Bowles Galleries
(415) 441-8008
765 Beach St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, The Marina, Fisherman's Wharf, Russian Hill, North Beach, Union Square

San Francisco Art Exchange LLC
(415) 441-8840
458 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Union Square, Civic Center, Lower Haight, Downtown San Francisco

Natalie's Gallery
(415) 982-1749
349 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Civic Center, Union Square, Lower Haight, Downtown San Francisco

Fraenkel Gallery
(415) 981-2661
49 Geary St # 450
San Francisco, CA 94108

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Chinatown, Nob Hill, Union Square, Downtown San Francisco CA

Art Institutes-California
(415) 865-0198
1170 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Areas Served: San Francisco CA, Union Square, Downtown San Francisco, Lower Haight, Civic Center

Find the Best Art Galleries & Art Dealers in San Francisco 

Developing an art collection is a journey that can take a large amount of time, energy, and money. Finding an art gallery that fits your tastes can take some time, as San Francisco art galleries vary widely in the type of art they specialize in and the prices they ask. Art is subjective.  The Prime Buyer's Report can help you by suggesting a few things to consider when buying art from good art galleries in San Francisco.

San Francisco Art Galleries Can Procure any Desired Works
To find the best art galleries in San Francisco to match your preferences, be aware of the various certifications that art galleries may have for their pieces. Art galleries in San Francisco and San Francisco offer many services including art education, artist studio visits, art literature consultation (catalogues, etc.), and curatorial advice. When expanding on or beginning to develop a collection, San Francisco art galleries may have local art brokers or art dealers able to assist you in art consultation, private collections, corporate collections, and investment collections. If interested in representing a theme in your home or place of business, the best art galleries in San Francisco can consult on commissioned paintings, sculptures, framing, or murals. When you have that impressive piece that needs the finishing touch for presentation, art galleries often offer all sorts of framing consultation, custom framing, commission framing, and installation of artwork.

If you have a masterpiece that has some damage, many art dealers offer art restoration services including paint repair, canvas and pigment replacement, varnish removal, stretcher repair, canvas rejuvenation, frame repair, carving repair, recasting, gold leaf cleaning, gold leaf application, mold removal, stain removal, tear repair, hole repair, and encapsulation repair. Trained eyes can perform structural analysis and other evaluations with the human eye, x-rays, scanners, using microscopes, pigment cross-sections, and other methods. If moving your entire collection, or just your latest acquisition, San Francisco art consultants can also arrange art transportation or shipping. For the active art connoisseur, some art galleries offer art gallery rental for private parties, artist representation, art workshops, sketching workshops, painting, sculpture and craft workshops, resource rooms, family days, and guest speakers.

Good Art Galleries in San Francisco CA Have Broad Expertise
The best art galleries and art dealers in San Francisco specialize in the many types of art, including fine art, contemporary art, digital art, and many others. Other types of painting, including vase paintings, portraits, etc. can be found at these San Francisco art galleries. The collections of local art galleries and the experience of art dealers in San Francisco extend to drawings, prints, sculptures, photography, ceramics, and nearly any other medium imaginable. Art galleries and art dealers can also specialize in clay and glazed ceramics, portraits, marble or stone sculpture. The broad range of styles extends to contemporary art, abstract art, African tribal art, Australian Aboriginal art, modern art, postmodern art, fabric design, landscapes, nature or wilderness photography, seascapes, and oceanscapes.

There are Many Choices of Good Art Galleries in San Francisco
In order to simplify your search, The Prime Buyer's Report lists these art galleries in San Francisco: Franklin Bowles Galleries, Art Institutes-California, Limn Gallery, Natalie's Gallery, Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco Art Exchange LLC, Masterworks Fine Arts Institute, Minna Street Gallery, Gallery 444. Other local art galleries that might still be doing business in San Francisco include .


 

 

Interview Art Dealers and Visit Art Galleries in San Francisco Before Deciding 

Step 1: Find the Right Fit When It Comes to Art Dealers & Art Galleries in San Francisco
Before the interview, be prepared with at least a rough idea of what you looking for. Many San Francisco art galleries are specialized, so make sure the art dealer or art gallery can offer something to fit your taste. Whether you want a piece to fill a wall space, need a sculpture for the corner of a room, or a few items to continue a theme, be thorough and consistent in the way that you present information. The extent of the art dealer's specific artists in San Francisco can be narrow or broad, so make sure you are very exact in outlining your requirements. If you need assistance with repairing or refurbishing a piece, transporting artwork, or art consultation, outline your requirements and preferences in detail.

Step 2: Ask & Answer Questions of the San Francisco Art Galleries or Art Consultants & Take Notes

• What types of artwork do the San Francisco art galleries specialize in?

• How much experience do the San Francisco art galleries have selling paintings and other art?

• How long have the art galleries been in the art trade in San Francisco?

• What educational background do the San Francisco art dealers or art consultants have?

• Which certifications do the San Francisco art dealers hold?

• Do the San Francisco art galleries and art dealers offer art consultation?

• What other services do the San Francisco art galleries or art consultants offer?

• Do the San Francisco art galleries sell paintings and other art at auction or retail?

• Can the San Francisco art dealers guarantee all work that you buy is original?

• Will the art galleries or art dealers in San Francisco offer framing?

• How many artists are represented in the San Francisco art galleries?

• Are all paintings and art pieces accompanied by a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?

• Are the San Francisco art galleries members of a professional art dealer's organization?

• Will the San Francisco art dealers provide a Transfer of Original Artwork if you choose to buy?

• Do the San Francisco art consultants visit clients for placement advice?

• Do the San Francisco art dealers and art consultants have references that you may contact?

• Do the art gallery staff have further suggestions for artwork or artists you might be interested in?


You'll learn a lot by the how the San Francisco art dealers respond and by the questions they ask. Take note of what concerns each gallery owner, art dealer, or art consultant has about your prospective purchase. How detailed and thorough are the questions? Does it seem as if they want to merely unload a piece or are they genuinely concerned for your investment? You'll want your art gallery to be as invested in your purchase as you are.

Step 3: Comparing Good Art Galleries in San Francisco & San Francisco
The sale of paintings, sculptures and art has historically proven to be a very lucrative field. There are many things to consider before purchasing a piece and to avoid being misled. Estimates can be the product of wishful thinking by the artist, dealer, or seller. Review your notes and weigh the art galleries' abilities against your priorities. Which comes closest to a perfect match? Which do you personally feel the most comfortable dealing with?

Step 4 : Making the Final Decision Among Good Art Galleries in San Francisco
Once you've found the perfect piece, it's time to close the deal with a San Francisco art gallery. Ask any final questions and then ask for the art dealers or art consultants to provide a written and signed contract for the sale, commission or consignment of the artwork.

 

 

Top Tips for Buying From Art Dealers in San Francisco 

Take Time Choosing Your Art Dealers in San Francisco.
Don't hire the first San Francisco art dealers that you contact. If you take a little time up front to properly outline the job and buy from the San Francisco art galleries that are right for you, you're less likely to be disappointed.

Understand the Art World & Art Sales in San Francisco.
Like any other purchase, the better you understand the industry from which the product comes, the better chance you have of making a wise purchase. You'll do better in assessing which are the best art dealers and art galleries in San Francisco if you understand the players in the industry and what to look for in a work of art. Authenticity, condition, quality, rarity, provenance, history, value, and investment wisdom are all criteria to consider. Also pertinent are the types of dealers: primary market, secondary market, public galleries, private dealers, art consultants, and artists all sell artwork. After doing some research, you can better judge which art dealer will fulfill your needs the best.

Have the Work Examined.
It can be exciting to find that piece that seems to be exactly what you're looking for. Remember that even with art, things can be too good to be true. Have a trusted dealer (other than the one you are purchasing from) or restoration expert examine the work to validate its authenticity and condition.

Know Your San Francisco Art Dealer's Area of Expertise.
It seems that the number of artistic categories is endless. It is important to find San Francisco art dealers or art galleries experienced in the type of art you are interested in. While some San Francisco art dealers may be educated and experienced in more than one type of art, it may be more beneficial to purchase from an expert in a single field. Ask questions about each San Francisco art dealer's educational background to see if he or she is right for you.

Ask if Your San Francisco Art Dealers Will Bid at Auction.
Art consultants and art dealers in San Francisco and San Francisco can advise you on the appropriate value for a piece, but some are experienced auction-house experts that can deduce information from the atmosphere of the auction. This will ensure that your purchase is not only a smart move, but that the value is market-correct.

Maintain Constant Contact.
Working with art galleries and art dealers in San Francisco is a partnership, so communication is essential. When it comes to your collection, you must stay informed about every detail. Don't jump to conclusions and be sure to ask when you have even the simplest question about your artwork purchase. It's your money and you have a right to know.

Establish Trust.
Over time, your art dealer will gain intimate knowledge of your buying habits, financial situation, and other details. Don't entrust this information to just anyone. You can easily find yourself in a very vulnerable position, so make sure you hire someone you trust. Don't just ask around - perform background checks as well.

Know Your Rights.
Consumers have special rights depending on where they live. You're dealing with art galleries in San Francisco, so check out the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Make Sure The San Francisco Art Dealers Has Your Best Interest in Mind.
If the San Francisco art dealers seem disinterested or glosses over key issues, don't buy from them. Good art dealers in San Francisco should be as dedicated to your financial well-being as you are. If this is ever in question, those art dealers are not the one for you.

 

 

Resources About Art Sales in San Francisco 

Regulatory & Trade Associations Related to Art Sales in San Francisco
Art Association (http://www.artassociation.org/)
AAH Association for Art History (http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eaah)
AAM American Association of Museums (http://www.aam-us.org/)
AAMD Association of Art Museum Directors (http://www.aamd.org/)
ACLA American Council of Learned Societies (http://www.acls.org/)
ADAA Art Dealers Association of America (http://www.artdealers.org/)
ARIAH Association of Research Institutes in Art History (http://www.ariah.info/)
ARLIS Art Libraries Society (http://www.arlisna.org/)
APA Art Publishers Association (http://apa.pmai.org/)
BBB The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.com)
CAA College Art Association (http://www.collegeart.org/)
CAC California Arts Council (http://www.cac.ca.gov/)
CAEA California Art Education Association (http://www.caea-arteducation.org/)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
FAA Fine Arts Association (http://www.fineartsassociation.org/)
FADA Fine Art Dealers Association (http://www.fada.org/)
Metropolitan Museum of Art (http://www.metmuseum.org/)
MOMA Museum of Modern Art (http://www.moma.org/)
NAAO National Association of Artists Organizations (http://www.naao.net/)
NGA National Gallery of Art (http://www.nga.gov/)
LAPADA The Association of Art & Antique Dealers (http://www.lapada.org/)
PADA The Private Art Dealers Association (http://www.pada.net/)
SFADA San Francisco Art Dealers Association (www.sfada.com)

 



Media Regarding Art Sales in San Francisco

Art Visionary Magazine
ArtisSprectrum Magazine
Artnet Magazine
Coagula Contemporary Art Magazine
Contemporary Art Gallery Magazine
Frieze Magazine
Gallery Guide Magazine
IT'S ART Magazine
Juxtapoz Art and Culture Magazine
Paint Magazine Quarterly

 

 

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the TOP 10 Art Dealers in San Francisco within the following zip codes:

94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94146, 94147, 94157, 94158, 94159, 94164, 94165, 94166, 94167, 94168, 94169, 94170, 94172 and 94188

 

 


Art Galleries San Francisco CA

24th Street Studio Gallery San Francisco CA 94114
A Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Acquitania Gallery San Francisco CA 94117
Addison & Assoc Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94115
ADLER & Co San Francisco CA 94108
African American Art & Culture San Francisco CA 94102
African Art San Francisco CA 94102
Aftermodern LLC San Francisco CA 94107
Alan Wofsy Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94109
Albers Gallery of Inuit Art San Francisco CA 94102
An American Romantic San Francisco CA 94133
Andrea Schwartz Gallery Art San Francisco CA 94107
Anthony Meier Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94109
Art By Romel San Francisco CA 94109
Art Exchange San Francisco CA 94108
Art Institutes-California San Francisco CA 94102
Art Options San Francisco CA 94102
Arte Maya Tz'Utuhil San Francisco CA 94140
Arthaus San Francisco CA 94107
Artists-X-Change San Francisco CA 94103
Arts Grafika Fine Original Prints San Francisco CA 94134
Arttrellis San Francisco CA 94107
Axelle Fine Arts Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Azul Gallery San Francisco CA 94121
Back to the Picture San Francisco CA 94110
Baxter Chang Patri Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94102
Block Myra Goodall San Francisco CA 94115
Bluespace San Francisco CA 94110
Bond Latin Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Braunstein-Quay Gallery San Francisco CA 94103
Brian Gross Fine Art San Francisco CA 94108
Bucheon Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Buckingham Palace San Francisco CA 94108
Busacca Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
C&B Gallery San Francisco CA 94118
Canessa Gallery San Francisco CA 94111
Cederwall Fine Art San Francisco CA 94129
Chandler Fine Art Framing San Francisco CA 94105
Charles Campbell Gallery San Francisco CA 94133
Cherry Art Studio San Francisco CA 94116
Chinese Culture Center San Francisco CA 94108
Chrasta Art & Frames San Francisco CA 94121
City Art San Francisco CA 94110
Clark Christopher Fine Art San Francisco CA 94102
Cohen Rese Gallery at Union San Francisco CA 94102
Cohen Rese Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Collage Gallery San Francisco CA 94107
Creativity Explored San Francisco CA 94103
David F Rosenthal San Francisco CA 94115
De Vera San Francisco CA 94108
Dolby Chadwick Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Don Soker Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Encantada Gallery of Fine Art San Francisco CA 94110
Euro Pacific Art Inc San Francisco CA 94109
Far East Fine Arts Inc San Francisco CA 94102
Fire Goat Gallery San Francisco CA 94110
Five Points Art House San Francisco CA 94133
Folk Art International Foundation San Francisco CA 94108
Fono Art San Francisco CA 94109
Fraenkel Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Frank Born Arts San Francisco CA 94110
Frankenart Mart San Francisco CA 94118
Franklin Bowles Galleries San Francisco CA 94109
Freddie Fong Contemporary Art San Francisco CA 94102
Friends of Ethnic Art San Francisco CA 94119
Gallery 16 San Francisco CA 94107
Gallery 1988 San Francisco CA 94109
Gallery 444 San Francisco CA 94102
Gallery 55 San Francisco CA 94133
Gallery Flux San Francisco CA 94114
Gallery Guide San Francisco CA 94117
Gallery On the Rim San Francisco CA 94103
Gallery Paule Anglim San Francisco CA 94108
Gendell Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
George Krevsky Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Geras-Tousignant Gallery San Francisco CA 94133
Hackett-Freedman Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Haines Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Han Palace Art Center San Francisco CA 94133
Hang San Francisco CA 94102
Hanson Gallery San Francisco San Francisco CA 94108
Heather Marx Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Hespe Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Higher Resolution San Francisco CA 94115
Himmelberger Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Hosfelt Gallery San Francisco CA 94103
Images of the North San Francisco CA 94123
International Art Gallery San Francisco CA 94115
Jack Hanley Gallery San Francisco CA 94103
James Willis Tribal Art San Francisco CA 94133
Japonesque Gallery San Francisco CA 94133
Jenkins Johnson Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Jing Yu De International Trading USA San Francisco CA 94133
John Berggruen Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
John McEvoy & Associates San Francisco CA 94118
John Pence Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
John's Western Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
K Kimpton Contemporary Art San Francisco CA 94115
Kard Zone San Francisco CA 94114
Kay Hannah & Associates San Francisco CA 94131
Keane Eyes Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
Kee Fung Ng Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Kimura Framing & Gallery Inc San Francisco CA 94127
King Co Works of Art Inc San Francisco CA 94104
Kumquat San Francisco CA 94118
Lahaina Galleries Inc San Francisco CA 94109
Lawrence Gallery & Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94133
Limn Gallery San Francisco CA 94107
Linden Hayes Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Lisa Dent Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
Little Tree Gallery San Francisco CA 94110
Lost Art Salon San Francisco CA 94103
Lucid Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Lutece Galleries San Francisco CA 94102
MM Galleries San Francisco CA 94107
Malatesta Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Martin Lawrence Galleries San Francisco CA 94102
Mary Zlot & Associates San Francisco CA 94105
Masterworks Fine Arts Institute San Francisco CA 94108
Meyerovich Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Michael Fine Art San Francisco CA 94108
Minna Street Gallery San Francisco CA 94105
Modern Masters Galleries Ltd San Francisco CA 94109
Modernism San Francisco CA 94105
Montgomery Gallery San Francisco CA 94111
Naja Arts San Francisco CA 94121
Natalie's Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Nevska Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
New Langton Arts San Francisco CA 94103
Newmark Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Nile Trading Co San Francisco CA 94114
North Point Gallery San Francisco CA 94111
O'Connor & Associates San Francisco CA 94117
Octavia's Haze Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Oriental Art Co San Francisco CA 94109
Oriental Art Gallery San Francisco CA 94122
Pacific Heights Gallery San Francisco CA 94115
Padma Tapes Gallery San Francisco CA 94114
Pasquale Iannetti Art Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Paul M Hertzmann Inc San Francisco CA 94140
Paul Mahder Gallery San Francisco CA 94118
Paul Thiebaud Gallery San Francisco CA 94133
Pigman Gallery San Francisco CA 94105
Polanco San Francisco CA 94102
Pond-A Place for Art Activism San Francisco CA 94103
Rasoylis San Francisco CA 94108
Ratio 3 San Francisco CA 94103
Rena Bransten Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Resource for Art San Francisco CA 94103
Robert Koch Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Robert Squeri Gallery San Francisco CA 94118
Robert Tat Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Ron Jehu Fine Art San Francisco CA 94115
Russeck Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
San Francisco Art Dealers San Francisco CA 94108
San Francisco Art Exchange LLC San Francisco CA 94102
San Francisco Filipino San Francisco CA 94103
San Francisco Museum-Craft San Francisco CA 94102
San Francisco Women Artist San Francisco CA 94118
Scott Nichols Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Sculpturesite Gallery San Francisco CA 94103
Serge Sorokko Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Shanju San Francisco CA 94112
Shooting Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
Silverman Gallery San Francisco CA 94107
Smith & Co San Francisco CA 94117
Snyder Caldwell Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Society for Asian Art San Francisco CA 94102
Som Arts Cultural Center San Francisco CA 94103
Sorokko Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Southern Exposure Gallery San Francisco CA 94103
Steel Gallery San Francisco CA 94109
Steiner Prints San Francisco CA 94118
Stephen Wirtz Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Steven Wolf Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94108
Studio San Francisco CA 94109
Susan Miller Gallery San Francisco CA 94123
TZ Shiota San Francisco CA 94123
Table Asia San Francisco CA 94118
Takada Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Thomas R Reynolds Fine Art San Francisco CA 94115
Thomas V Myer Fine Art San Francisco CA 94121
Togonon Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Tourell Toomey Fine Arts San Francisco CA 94108
Triangle Art Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Twiga San Francisco CA 94118
Urbis Artium Gallery San Francisco CA 94108
Varnish Fine Art San Francisco CA 94105
Velvet Da Vinci San Francisco CA 94109
Vorpal Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Wah Tsui Shem San Francisco CA 94108
Weinstein Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Wiley Group San Francisco CA 94123
Winston Gallery San Francisco CA 94102
Winterbranch Gallery San Francisco CA 94115
Wyland Galleries San Francisco CA 94133
Wylie Wong Asian Art San Francisco CA 94117
X-21 Modern San Francisco CA 94110