The FOG Design+Art fair in San Francisco opened with a glitzy preview gala at Fort Mason Center, serving as a fundraiser for SFMOMA's education initiatives. VIP tickets started at $10,000 for the first hour, and by 7 p.m., the event filled to capacity as prices dropped to $250. Dealers reported a different energy this year, partly due to the recent Los Angeles wildfires affecting many participating galleries. Sales were strong, with New York dealer Ales Ortuzar selling multiple works by Suzanne Jackson in the first few hours. Local collector Sonya Yu, a recent ARTnews Top 200 listee, highlighted the resilience and sophistication of the Bay Area art community.
This fair matters because it challenges the narrative that Silicon Valley tech wealth has not translated into serious art collecting. FOG's director Sydney Blumenkranz noted that emerging tech collectors are using the fair as an entry point to building collections. The event's rebounding reputation and strong dealer participation—including first-timers like Ortuzar's gallery—signal that San Francisco remains a vital market hub despite broader economic uncertainties. The fair also underscores the importance of local philanthropy, as exemplified by Yu's $900,000 gift to MoMA PS1.