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Catherine Bigelow, SF Chronicle

Berkeley art patrons celebrate 10 years with Larry Rinder

At the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive gala in honor of its director, Larry Rinder, on May 17, a few little-known facts were gleaned: He loves dabbling in haiku and he loves his regular weekend rustication in Ukiah. And, it turns out, haiku is a semordnilap (a type of palindrome) for Ukiah, where the annual UkiaHaiku Festival is held.

How did gala benefactors handle this information? They filled their tribute program, “There’s Something About Larry,” with their own 17-syllable efforts. Taking the stage at UC Berkeley’s Pauley Ballroom, gala chairwoman Julie Simpson read her haiku: Tinkling of ice cubes / Rhythm track of headache pasts / Salut! Kampai! Cheers!

Cheers were raised, too, for the $724K proceeds benefiting BAMPFA’s exhibition and education efforts, including $120K earmarked for student work-study interns.

Simpson, a BAMPFA trustee, attempted to distill Rinder’s essence into a sound bite. Instead, she was left with a long list of nouns and adjectives: Risk-taker. Maverick. Visionary. Iconoclast. Funny. And, refined eye — a close-up of which adorned gala graphics designed by former trustee Eric McDougall, now reigning “minister of cool.” (McDougall also created cardboard cutouts of Rinder that captured his less-serious side, which guests gleefully mugged with.)

Dressed in “Berkeley black-tie,” a dress code inspiring eclectic ensembles, 350 fans, art collectors and cultural pooh-bahs turned out to honor Rinder’s first decade of leadership at BAMPFA, an institution he’s transformed into a cultural powerhouse — yet one that adroitly satiates art intellectuals and casual viewers.

“Larry is a curator’s curator,” enthused BAMPFA trustee Paul Wattis. “But his exhibitions never alienate the crowd.”

Rinder joined BAMPFA 30 years ago to curate its Matrix program, a series of solo exhibitions by contemporary artists that’s been copied by museums around the globe. Soon after, he was appointed as California College of the Arts’ founding director-curator of its Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts in San Francisco. Later he was promoted to dean of CCA’s graduate studies — then dean of the entire college.

In 2008, Rinder returned to BAMPFA, leading the charge to develop the museum’s downtown Berkeley building that opened in 2016.

The gala commenced in typical fashion: cocktails and canapes, a McCalls three-course dinner and live art auction rife with cool lots corralled by Carla Crane and swiftly sold by auctioneer Greg Quiroga.

Yet Berkeley galas are a different beast. Amplified by Meyer Sound, this event was fun and fresh with a dash of silly. Sir JoQ, a voguing artist who had just arrived from France, wildly grooved among the tables.

But Rinder was deadly serious as he waved away the spotlight, instead thanking his colleagues, dedicated museum team and mentors.

“Tonight we celebrate amazing artists and filmmakers,” he said. “It’s my honor, these last 30 years, to work with some of the most incredibly creative people on this planet, modestly helping them to achieve their work and connect with large, loving audiences.”

Homecoming: One heckuva house party recently unfurled May 19 on Potrero Hill where 400 friends, families and fans celebrated the Our House gala, raising more than $200K for the Homeless Prenatal Project and its life-changing programs.

Founded in 1989 by Martha Ryan, an intrepid nurse practitioner and devoted “house mother” who tirelessly champions health care, job training, housing and social justice for homeless pregnant women, her quiet determination has transformed thousands of lives.

“This year we’re refocusing on our roots: supporting homeless pregnant mothers and their families with intensive services. HPP’s work is two-generational and our course is upstream,” Ryan said. “By providing prevention services, HPP is ensuring babies born homeless today will not end up back on the streets years later.”

The program also annually distributes items such as 150,000 diapers, and essentials like sheets, dishes, new mattresses, Thanksgiving meals and party supplies (hats, cake mixes, decorations) to celebrate a child’s birthday once families move into housing.

Initially funded by a $52K grant from the San Francisco Foundation and run by Ryan with three part-time staff, Homeless Prental Project now operates an $8 million budget; more than half of its 90 staffers are former HPP clients.

“We’re also working with the city to develop the first transitional housing program for homeless pregnant women in the Bayview,” explains Ryan, with a devilish aside: “And we can’t wait to show them how to do it the right way.”

Guests savored El Sur South American specialties as they toured HPP’s four-story facility, including the just-opened New Generation Health Center, a reproductive clinic in partnership with UCSF and the Department of Public Health.

“We welcome teens, because we don’t want them to become clients,” Ryan said. “We provide counseling and contraception so they can make informed decisions about their bodies and lives.”

The evening also honored Megan Lucas, a former HPP client-turned-lawyer, and Project Legal Link, a resource for homeless and low-income families founded by attorney Sacha Crittenden Steinberger.

Ryan was the first to see the value of Link’s legal support and offered her partnership, which was a huge vote of confidence for the nascent nonprofit.

“What we’re building is about changing who has the tools to navigate a complicated and inequitable system of power. And Martha’s support inspires us to continue and perform better,” said Steinberger. “Martha, you’re one of this community’s greatest heroes.”

Catherine Bigelow is The San Francisco Chronicle’s society correspondent. Email: missbigelow@sfgate.com Instagram: @missbigelow

Image credit:
Catherine Bigelow, Special to the Chronicle
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