Andrew Wood, founder and executive director of the San Francisco International Art Festival (SFIAF), visited European art galleries and shows in January 2001. His route home to San Francisco included a side trip to his native England and then an overnight stop in New York. Not being able to sleep, he made a list of ways to bring European artists together with American artists in San Francisco.

In 2003, Wood, together with Kyoko Yoshida and the U.S.–Japan Cultural Trade Network, presented the first SFIAF in the City, primarily in the Mission District. The festival was a huge success, drawing approximately 20,000 people to various venues.

Last year, for the first time, the base of SFIAF operations was at Fort Mason Center.

“At first we were afraid that no one would come, because people were used to seeing us in the Mission,” Wood said.

But indeed they came – 5,000 strong to Fort Mason alone.

Fort Mason Center proved to be an ideal venue for the festival, as there are several theaters – including Cowell and Southside – and pavilions within short walking distances, with reasonably priced parking on the grounds.

The S.F. International Art Festival will be held this year from May 19–31 at Fort Mason, Monaghan’s on Pierce Street, Union Square, and other locations. More than 60 performances by 30 arts organizations and ensembles will be featured at the various venues.

While many events are free, some require advance tickets, which are nominally priced. Detailed descriptions of the many forms of artistic expression offered by SFIAF, as well as ticket prices for individual events, may be found on their website (www.sfiaf.org) or by calling 800-838-3006. For those interested in receiving a brochure, please call the office at 415-399-9554.

The process of acquiring the talents of international artists is not always an easy one, Wood explained. If a non-American artist does not have an American agent, he or she cannot be accepted into the program, as there is voluminous paperwork involved in getting the artist into this country. Some agencies are unable to take on the extra work, but San Francisco attorney Bill Martinez helps with the logistics for a lucky few. Many more are not able to attend.

The first event is the traditional welcome for the international artists, which will take place on Wednesday, May 19, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Cowell Theater lobby at Fort Mason. Tickets are free.

2010 is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Japanese ship Kanrin Maru into Yerba Buena Harbor, which will be celebrated at the welcome reception with an opening night concert, “Beyond Borders” by the Agatsuma Ensemble. The performance will take place immediately following the reception.

The 2010 festival not only coincides with the anniversary of the ship’s landing, but with the San Francisco Art Institute’s MBA exhibition and the revival of the San Francisco Arts Fair. Wood said he expects activities of the three prestigious organizations to attract more than 15,000 people to Fort Mason alone.

SFIAF’s commitment to making Fort Mason and the Marina district its center of operation is a top priority, said Wood.

“We first presented work at the Cowell Theater in 2009 and … this year we have added a second stage at Fort Mason. We also will be presenting site-specific work at the newly refurbished Monaghan’s bar on Pierce Street,” he said.

Individual performances are as tantalizing and exciting as they are numerous. On Monday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Festival’s longest running presenting partners, the Earplay Ensemble, present an international program featuring the world premiere of a new commissioned work by Korea’s Hyo-shin Na. Entitled “Song of One Lost in the Fog,” the piece bridges California Native American, East Asian and Western cultures. The evening, presented by Earplay, will also feature compositions by Tolga Yayalar, Wayne Peterson and the late Jorge Liderman. There is a nominal fee for this presentation, and as with many of the performances, series discounts and tickets at the door are available.

SFIAF also offers the opportunity to see new technological advances that improve artistry without disrupting visual concepts, or, to be pragmatic, cost any jobs. Amy Seiwert, resident choreographer of the Smuin Ballet Company, went to Berlin and Nuremberg to collaborate with Frieder Weiss, a developer of computer software that improves lighting in projections. Weiss will demonstrate his creation during the last week of the show, thanks to the efforts of Seiwert, who also heads im’ij-re, her own experimental ballet company.

The San Francisco Fine Arts Fair, the San Francisco Circus Center, Golden Thread Productions, and swissnex San Francisco, as well as individual donors, contributed to the unique creation that is SFIAF 2010.

“We are so pleased that the S.F. International Arts Festival has not only returned to Fort Mason Center, but expanded programming into our Southside Theater. The programs this year include several world premieres, performance and visual arts. Series discounts are available, so we encourage repeat visitors,” said Ann Lazarus, Fort Mason Center’s executive director.

Andrew Wood and his group of dedicated volunteers, sponsors, presenting partners, and fellow artists work three years in advance for each annual presentation. Wood plans to continue his travels to organize 2012 shortly after the current production has ended.

The multiple venues, costs of tickets, series discounts, locations, and dates all
are clearly designated on the website, www.sfiaf.org, or by contacting the box office at 800-838-3006.