Our Story
There is no other place in San Francisco like The Box Shop!
The Why & How - Artist and founder Charles Gadeken initiated The Box Shop in 2000. Charles' vision for the space was to ensure industrial artists have a long-term, large-scale location to produce art, learn and enhance their craft, and collaborate in the creative process.
Since the first day, the Shop has served thousands of artists!
The History - After some attempts at co-founding artistic maker spaces in San Francisco that did not survive, Charles decided to create his own arts business. As the City is a highly desirable place to live and work – this, unfortunately, always puts pressures on our local arts spaces and organizations that seek secure, long-term, and affordable space (and with ample square footage)!
The Maker Space - Over the years, Charles invested in metalwork and industrial machinery, and tools to fill up the 8,000-SF warehouse. The Shop offers a sizable variety of equipment for artists and makers that would otherwise be difficult to access. And, the Shop comes equipped with thousands of outside yard square footage, which gives flexibility in producing large-scale works of art.
The Boxes – Charles acquired The Box Shop with 20 large shipping containers, which immediately, he converted into individual art studios that local artists rent at an affordable rate. Charles continued to add containers – and now there are a total of 60 that surround the yard. Once an artist is part of the studio community, they can access all tools, equipment, and space.
The Culture – The Box Shop's focus is to enable and increase artist success, creativity, collaboration, and community. To this end, the Shop welcomes all and wants to be a safe and creative space for all races, genders, sexual orientations, and ages. Since its inception, the community has organically leaned towards serving women and LGBTQ+ makers; we’re proud to help empower this community. We welcome all!
The Importance – Arts spaces and artists in the Bay Area face many pressures. The high cost of real estate makes residing and creating here difficult. Spaces like The Box Shop provide a place for artistic community-building, knowledge sharing and encourage opportunities to advance professionally. And most essentially offers a physical space to create. Artists involved with the Shop over its 20 years have produced numerous public art and crafts projects that help engage and educate lives and beautify and enhance our neighborhoods.
We need spaces like The Box Shop to survive and thrive!
