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Join the conversation to explore the past, present and future of figurative art in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“

I will argue that Bay Area Figuration was a movement—in the eyes of critics, other artists, and the general public.

—Caroline A. Jones
Bay Area Figurative Art 1950-1965

Paul Wonner, Model Drinking Coffee, 1964, oil on canvas, 49 1⁄2 x 45 7⁄8 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1966.84.4, Image © Estate of Paul Wonner and William Theophilus Brown, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento.

FAQ

Thank you for your interest in the conference We trust this FAQ can answer some of your questions and open up a dialogue.

  • There is a tentative plan to hold a themed, juried show along with the conference. Details will be announced on our website and in our newsletter.

    Sign up for the newsletter for artist open call.

  • Yes. We hope to provide field trips to nearby institutions with holdings of Bay Area Figurative art.

    We will include information about any planned trips when the conference schedule is posted.

    Get BAYFig News for the schedule release.

  • Yes. Select sessions, papers, and keynotes will be published in an online proceedings volume and archived on our website. We aim to make this a lasting scholarly resource.

    Subscribe to BAYFig News for post conference materials.

  • Yes. We welcome institutional partners, foundations, media sponsors, and corporate supporters.

    Please contact us for more information by completing the form above ☝︎.

  • Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for the latest announcements, open calls, and event information.

  • The Bay Area Figurative Movement refers to a group of artists in mid-20th century California who reintroduced the human figure into modern art, blending abstract expressionist techniques with figurative imagery.

    Key figures include David Park, Elmer Bischoff, Richard Diebenkorn, Joan Brown, and Manuel Neri, among others.

  • The conference is a landmark event dedicated to exploring, celebrating, and advancing the legacy of the Bay Area Figurative Movement through scholarly panels, artist talks, exhibitions, archival projects, and community engagement.

  • Artists, curators, scholars, students, collectors, arts educators, and anyone interested in California art history, figurative painting, and cultural preservation.

  • The conference is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2027. The specific dates and venue are still being finalized.

    We will announce details via our website and newsletter as soon as they are confirmed. Join the mailing list to stay up to date.

  • We are currently exploring in-person and hybrid formats to make the event accessible to both local and global audiences. Check back for updates as we finalize the event model.

    Sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date.

  • Yes. We plan to release open calls for artist presentations, paper submissions, and proposals for exhibitions and workshops.

    Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to be notified.

  • Registration will open approximately 6–8 months before the event. You’ll be able to register online through our website, where you can select from general admission, student, artist, and patron tiers.

    Join the mailing list to get a ticket when registration opens.

Recontextualize
Bay Area Figuration