What’s Your Deal?

From 2015 - 2020, the Growlery was a privately run artist residency centrally located in San Francisco’s historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Artists lived rent-free in a beautifully restored Victorian-era home, working in a unique environment alongside a small group of peers. You can find all the past artists-in-residence and other contributing artists listed on our website. Currently, we are shifting our brick and mortar operations to the East Bay while still offering grants and other partnerships with local and national artists.

What is a Growlery?

Growlery is a word invented by Charles Dickens in his 1852 serial Bleak House.

The author, whose work could best be described as “Dickensian,” wrote, "This, you must know, is the growlery. When I am out of humour, I come and growl here.” In other words, a place to turn the worst of times into the best of times.

The word was removed from the Concise Oxford English Dictionary in 2011. We’re bringing growlery back.

Where Are You?

The Growlery was located in San Francisco’s historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood from 2015-2020 and has since begun the journey of moving to the East Bay.

When Can I Visit?

Pre-COVID the Growlery hosted regular events. Currently we are sheltering-in-place.

I Like What You’re Doing. How Can I Be A Part of It?

Please add your name to the mailing list and we will be in touch about upcoming exhibitions, grant oppotunities and the Growlery 2.0 transition.

In addition to residencies, the Growlery has commissioned murals, sculptures, and installations.

Artists with questions should direct their inquiries to contact@thegrowlery.org.

In your opinion, what does it take to become a great artist?

Ninety percent effort, 10 percent jetpacks.