Eclectic Arts Space Three Ravens Celebrates 1st Anniversary This Friday

Eclectic Arts Space Three Ravens Celebrates 1st Anniversary This FridayPhoto: Stephen Jackson/Hoodline
Stephen Jackson
Published on January 19, 2017

Since opening last year, Three Ravens has worked to build a creative community in the Lower Haight by hosting pop-up clothing shops, art and music shows, naked yoga classes, "Mystery School" workshops and more.

Tomorrow (Friday, January 20th), founders Dee Kennedy, her brother Joe Kennedy and Shireen Seif will be celebrating the space's first trip around the sun with a solo show featuring Mexican artist Fabián Marquez, a dance performance by Lauren Godla, a Cumbia concert, and other musical performances by Mexican singer/songwriters Xaamrockd Vargas + Martha Celis. The party is free and goes from 7pm to 11pm.

A painting by Fabián Marquez. | Photo: Three Ravens

Reflecting upon their time on the block so far, Dee says she couldn't be happier with the opportunity she and her partners have been given. 

"It's been amazing," Dee told us. "It's been really cool to be immersed in the community here. The community has been very receptive to us and we've done some shows that were inclusive of local artists in the neighborhood. Painters, clothing lines, we've been really inclusive of artists that live in the Lower Haight."

Included in this group are the folks behind Sucka Duckin, a neighborhood clothing line that did a pop-up shop at the space for a few weeks. Other local artists that have been a part of Three Ravens' mission include Hillary Williams, Deirdre Weinberg, Robbie Sweeney, Javier Rocabado, Darnel Tasker, Fnnch, Eclair Bandersnatch, and Jeremy Novy.

A gallery opening at Three Ravens. | Photo: Three Ravens

Through the Mystery School, Three Ravens has also hosted workshops with themes spanning Egyptian mysteries and symbolism, Chinese New Year philosophy, Siberian shamanism and Gwella yoga and flower arrangement fusion. And if you're interested, they're still doing naked women's yoga on Thursday evenings.

Dee told us that the space's landlord had allowed the storefront to remain vacant for two years because she felt it was important that the future tenants were committed to creating a community-minded space. 

"The landlady had known my brother, who lives a few doors down, for many years," she said. "He had told her about his idea for the space and when it became vacant she called us up. I think there were a couple of commercial people interested, but she didn't want to go that route. I think she wanted something artistic here and something like a community center, which is what we've really been cultivating."

The Three Ravens: Shireen Seif,Joe Kennedy, and Dee Kennedy. | Photo: Three Ravens

Moving forward, Dee told us that she hopes to hone in on what's been successful over the past year, potentially allowing art shows to run a bit longer and offering a more manageable amount of workshops via the Mystery School. 

"We've been able to connect with a lot of new people in the community and reach out and develop better structure in the area," said Joe. "This year has been the foundation to get everything going, and next year we don't have to worry about that because it's already here and running."

Photo: Three Ravens

"It's been really fun to see the space constantly transform with Bay Area artists, musicians, the different teachers with the Mystery School, yoga ... it's been an enriching experience for all of us," said Dee, adding that they are also adding a weekly open mic on Tuesdays, starting January 31st. 

If you're interested in what else Three Ravens has going on, check out the website here, or stop by tomorrow evening and wish them a happy birthday.