One of SFist’s beefs with the art world is how uncomfortable it can be to go to galleries. As a lover of art, we want to see new work by emerging artists, but don’t really like the attitude that seems prevalent with gallery owners and workers. Finding a gallery with friendly owners and great art is a welcome relief. Swarm Gallery is one such place. Run by Svea Vezzone, Swarm has a constant roster of great (and largely local, emergent) art coming through. Maybe it’s the attached studio space that keeps things there friendly. Plus it’s really close to Chicken and Waffles. Friendly people, great art, and soul food? Where do these all exist? In Oakland. Below Svea, an area native, shares tips for artists, and art lovers, and will almost convince you to move to the East Bay.

Best place to see art in the Oakland?
I'm biased...Swarm Gallery!

What's your take on the art scene here?
Accessible and abundant. It's exciting to be a part of historically, but difficult to say if the momentum of this visual art scene will be fruitful for commercial galleries in Oakland, specifically. Oakland's been "on the brink" for 30 years. Despite this uncertainty though, I wouldn't have opened shop anywhere else.

How did you get involved with Swarm?
I met my business partner in 2005. I gave him a proposal for one of his buildings. I wanted a multidisciplinary arts space with a gallery, studios, artists workshop, print shop, maybe a cafe. Our working name for the space was "hive labs" (based on the collaborative concept, but that name was too commonsensical) -- We eventually came up with "Swarm" and that stuck. The original concept was too heavy of a financial obligation for me, so I decided to par down and "grow the business." Swarm opened in March 2006 and is a place that brings art and people together in innovative ways. The business model includes the gallery and project space, 11 artist studios open to the public during gallery hours, lectures with art world professionals, artist receptions and creative-based events. It's a pretty synergistic creative environment.

Tips for local artists?
Don't turn down opportunities to get your work out there and avoid writing your artist statement in the third person.

Local artists to watch?
(not necessarily in this or any other order...)
Amanda Lynch
Josh Keyes
Andy Vogt
Casey Jex Smith
Andrew Schoultz

Name
Svea Lin Vezzone

Introduce yourself in one sentence
I'm Svea Lin Vezzone and I run Swarm Studios + Gallery in Oakland

Age and Occupation
34 and full-time gallery owner/director

Home Town
Forest Knolls, California

How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
I've lived in the Bay Area my whole life (except for the 6 years I spent at college and traveling). After college in 1999, I moved to East Oakland, then to Berkeley in 2003, where I currently reside. I can't think of a better place to live -- personally, I'm a fan of the weather and the vast variety of foods available. I also live within walking distance of 12 close friends, the Cheeseboard, Elephant Pharmacy and Cesar. Can't get better than that. I can live without Berkeley drivers, however.

Favorite place to spend time online
stretcher.org, artinfo.com, artbusiness.com, fecalface.com

Favorite local business
Delauer's Newsstand in Oakland (it's open 24/365, no joke)

What I'm currently Reading
"Island of Childhood" by Eleanor Griffin

Best Deal in San Francisco
I'm at a loss...

Favorite mode of transportation
Bicycle

Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Huey Lewis of course (Sorry, he's a time piece and I'm about that age).

Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
That there's no reason for successful artists to stay here... It's not true! Just wait!

Favorite local hangout
Luka's Taproom and Lounge -- You can order food until 10:30PM, and they've got a great burger.

SF has the BEST
Fog

You've never lived in SF until
You've seen live music in Golden Gate Park

Favorite Bay area politician of past or present
Slim pickins..... Matt Gonzalez!!

Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?
I don't know anyone young enough! :)

You can tell someone is a local here (Oakland) IF
They own an Oaklandish t-shirt

SF would be soooo much better if only
BART ran all night

Best Burrito
El Farolito

Best Restaurant
I love Suppenkuche, but mostly for the atmosphere. Yoshi's (Oakland) has the best sushi.

Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
All I can think of now is "High Anxiety" and "Vertigo." Don't remember the scenes...but they were good.

Favorite artist to come out of the bay area
Richard Serra, for one.

Favorite author to come out of the bay area
Amy Tan, for one.

Place you always tell visitors to check out
Headlands Center for the Arts, First Fridays in Oakland, walking around the Mission or the Berkeley Rose Garden.

Favorite Bridge in the area
Golden Gate

You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Pakwan for eats and then Adobe Books (Mission). Coming to Oakland? Two for one movie night at the Parkway Pizza + Pub (Wednesdays!).

I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
An Intern/My motorcycle/flat files

I want all the SFists out there to know
You can come to Oakland by Ferry on First Fridays (be dropped off a block from Swarm Gallery) and ride the city-sponsored art bus around to all the galleries.

Tell us a San Francisco Story
I got mugged in a park when I was a kid by teenagers. I was relieved when they ran away and didn't get the dollar I had in my pocket. Phew!