You could cut the tension with a knife...or a hacksaw

Last nights opening for " I touch Myself" was brilliant. Femina Potens was packed full of artists and art lovers enjoying an evening of incredible art and performance. Ellen Staggs photography is captivating a stunning capturing luscious women in the throws of self love as well as several photographs from her series "Jerking Off" of hot men in mid ejaculation and coming for the camera. The men's faces are cut off so we only see their bodies and hands stroking their cocks. This gives the viewer that feeling that they are the subject cumming in full force and it also objectifies the male subject with is so often the viewer and on the other side of the camera objectifying women. Cristy Roads powerful illustrations of her journey to an orgasm hung proudly on the wall while Suzanne Shifflet's lush sensous paintings give us a graphic peek into self pleasure. Chrystal Powell's window installations combined safer sex materials., text,melted lip stick, 3d sculptures of hands and cocks for a powerful explosion of emotional and physical intimacy. And twincest... the crowd was on pins and needles while the collaborative couple screened slides below a suspended rack of beef. The couple performed in an open bathroom, dressed in button up white shirts,breasts peeking out, wearing tighty whities and red unicorn horns on there head. One of the performers sat on the toilet while the others body spooned gently betwen their legs. We wittness a cello like erotic performance as a hacksaw bows the other performers cunt until blood is seen through the underwear. With each motion of the saw the "cello" moves into their lover. We are wittnessing and exchange of power and erotic energy set to the soundscape of "God Speed You Black Emporer". Yes.. If you didn't come last night you missed out on a hell of a show. Our fabulous volunteer Lexi came to the gallery bearing gifts of delicious bakery goods for the reception which were consumed at a record breaking speed. FP Volunteers are the best. We couldn't do this with out all of you.
- Madison

Touch Yourself

May is here and it's National Masturbation Month. Femina Potens is celebrating with the show I Touch Myself, featuring women artists exploring the subject. Ellen Stagg, Suzanne Shifflett and Cristy Road offer stimulating visual art, along with powerful performance art by Twincest.

Femina Potens' display windows will feature a provocative installation by Chrystal Powell (an artist who is one of the awesome Femina Potens volunteers - Happy Volunteer Week, everyone). It's part of the San Francisco Arts Commission's "Outside Looking In" public arts program, and we're glad to be participating.

Come to the opening this Saturday, May 3, 7-10 pm, to check it all out.

For a tease, Cristy Road's print Emancipation Masturbation (shown above) is available online (only $20!) in the Accessible Art Store, along with a handful of her older works. But you'll have to wait for I Touch Myself to access all of her gorgeous prints.

A shout out to Jennifer Lynne, who has just started a blog for her design label Porcelynne Lingerie. She's revamping the business, coming out with new sexy eco-chic designs and clearing out the old fashions in a big sale. It's nice to hear her plans, and there's a sweet picture back from a time she was a cigarette girl posted to the new blog.

Finally, don't miss Friday's double bill at Femina Potens. May 2 at 6:00 Cake and Kink presents a Q&A with author Laura Antoniou, followed at 8:00 by Open Eyes Queer Film Night with Jed Bell, Samara Halperin, Katastrophe (a.k.a. Rocco Kayiatos), Trannymals, Debra Wilson, and a short film open mic for your creations under 5:00.

-Sandra

Good Reviews

A couple of reviews of Neu Wave Feminism (which you can still visit, until April 27):

Hot Like Neu Wave Feminism from Pixel Vision: Arts and Culture Blog of the SFBG. "Gender and sexuality -- not tired!"

Neu Wave Feminism at Femina Potens, a Shotgun Review. "In promos, Neu Wave Feminism describes itself as an art show in which 'three feminist artists explore identity, gender, and sexuality.' This description fails to hint at the intensity of this mixed media tour de force."

Thank you Marke and Isabel for the kind words!

-Sandra

Dating and Thinking and Thinking of Dating

Our fundraising speed dating event is coming up tomorrow and it promises to be popular so get your tickets in advance online at Brown Paper Tickets (an awesome fair-trade ticket service).

Remember when times were simpler? Remember when it was easy for girl to meet girl and fall in love? Remember when you had time for love, before your three jobs took over your life? Well, now you have time for Queer Speed Dating!

Queer Speed Dating is a fun and quirky night for single and poly women, femmes, dykes, bois, grrls and transmen to hang out and meet one another. We are breaking the ice for you, providing a safe space for queers to interact and expand our community, while also promoting the accessibility and mission of Femina Potens. Whether you are looking for a new friend or something more, Queer Speed Dating is the place to be for socializing, sangria and sexy snacks.

April 17, 8:00 pm $15, 18 and over.

If you hit it off with someone, consider planning a date at Femina Potens on the weekend. Saturday we're hosting a thinkPhilosophy Salon that poses a hot question: "What do the rich owe the poor?" Dr. Rita Alfonso leads these "rigorous intellectual workouts" for your brain, this Saturday on a topic that's fitting at tax time. Here's some info from Reason Magazine to get you started. The event description:

What Do The Rich Owe the Poor? Knee pads? Education? Charity? Jobs? Sympathy? Food? Entertainment? Pillows and blankets? Social Security? Housing? Thanks? Or, perhaps nothing at all? As we consider this question together, we’ll look at different rationale – from utilitarianism and communism to “trickle down” economic theories. So come join our community of truth seekers, explore your beliefs about wealth and worth, and test your ideas about social and economic justice against a room full of experience.

Appropriately, tickets are Pay What You Want. Doors open at 7:30 and thoughts will start to fly back and forth at 8:00.

Maybe the rich and the poor alike don't owe us anything, but we encourage everyone to buy more art!

-Sandra

Join FP Edge

In order to bring more exposure to both queer and erotic artists and the queer, feminist, wellness and sex positive communities they operate within, the Femina Potens Gallery recently formed FP Edge. FP Edge is an artists network that represents artists and connects them with art spaces throughout the bay area. These diverse spaces include businesses, community centers and other galleries that Femina Potens has established relationships with after six years in San Francisco.

Once an artist has joined FP Edge, their work and information will be promoted to potential venues and showcased on the Femina Potens website. FP Edge also offers consultation services, which assist members in developing a portfolio and other submission materials. After an exhibit has been contracted, FP Edge handles all marketing, installation and logistical issues for a small per-show fee - this system ensures that artists do not pay anything until they are guaranteed a venue space. Artists more concerned with selling or displaying work online may also join, and pay a one-time membership fee after selling their first piece.

If you would like to join or for more information, please contact us at FPedge@gmail.com. All artists interested in representation should send a short bio, 3-5 work samples or a URL link. Thank you for your commitment to increasing community exposure to queer and erotic themed work!

Porn Stars, Sexperts, Bondage Models and Activists Oh My!

Tonight we have an absolutly amazing line up of fabulous performers at the gallery. Our Award Winning performance and spoken word evening,Sizzle, starts at 8pm and features artists Nomy Lamm, Lorelei Lee, Violet Blue,Raina Bird, a Live No Fauxxx photo shoot, a hot slide show from Cutter Zine, and a sneak peak at bondage model Madison Young's memoirs. Hope to see everyone tonight Saturday April 12th doors at 7:30.

Neu Wave Feminism

Wow! That's all I can say is a big Wow! This weekends opening for our Neu Wave Feminist Art Show was everything I hoped it would be and more. The event was packed with friends and art patrons, passers by and femina potens die hard fans. The installation is beautiful. We will post photos from the event next week. I'm so happy with all of the art work and just how beautiful and powerful the work is in examining gender and sexual politics. The show will be up for the remainder of the month so please come by and check it out during gallery hours at 2199 Market @Sanchez. You can see and buy many of the installed images on the feminapotens.com web site under store and rotating exhibits. We've already sold work from the show and have been selling pieces from our art store like mad. It's really nice to see people coming in and bringing art into their homes.

Also we have a mind blowing line up of amazing writers this saturday April 12th. There will be an photo slide show from Cutter Zine, a live fetish photo shoot w/ No Fauxxx, Madison Young, Lorelei Lee, Violet Blue, Raina Bird and Nomy Lamm!!!! So hold onto your hats and buy tickets now at www.feminapotens.com as they are going fast.

Or if erotic spoken word isn't your thing check out our queer film screening on friday at 8pm with Kami Chisholm.