• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, August 10, 2017

Well, here’s an awesomely groovy stab from the past: To help celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the “Summer Of Love,” which San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury District has long been linked to, SF-based ad agency Argonaut has transformed the bottom floor of its office into an art gallery, featuring images of the legendary Janis Joplin and other great artists from the era.  

Joplin performed on several occasions at the Avalon Ballroom (before and after the summer of ’67), where the agency is now housed. Sadly, she died from a drug overdose in 1970 at the age of 27.

“Our vision for the gallery is to build a space that both inspires our team, and opens the door to greater collaboration within our own community,” says Maura Heilbron, head of culture at Argonaut.

The gallery’s first exhibit, “Celebrate Janis,” opened July 26.  Admission is free and open to the public.

Heilbron is working with Nicole Schwieterman, owner of Fleet Wood Gallery, to co-curate the second showing to promote up-and-coming local artists. That exhibit began Aug. 3 as part of the Lower Polk Art Walk a recurring event each month in the city.

“We hope to give artists of all levels and mediums a place to showcase their work, continuing The Avalon Ballroom’s legacy of being a hub where people can come together and celebrate creativity," says Heilbron.

That is so hip. Piece of My Heart, anyone?