Our very own miniature version of Art/Basel, dubbed artMRKT, returns this week in a somewhat larger form at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion. The now annual contemporary art fair brings together gallerists from across the country, as well as a bunch of S.F. galleries both large and small, for a four-day orgy of perusing gorgeous things.

Things kick off with a preview night Thursday -- featuring Silicon Valley's power-couple Zachary Bogue (FAMSF Trustee) and Marissa Mayer -- at which serious collectors will vie to get little red dots placed on modern and contemporary artworks that they must have for themselves. The general public who does not wish to spend $150 just to look at art they can't afford can then go look at said art on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for a $20 admission charge, and $35 will get you a three-day pass.

But we should mention that the Thursday preview also comes with an opening night reception, hosted by artMRKT and benefitting the fine arts museums of San Francisco. It will also feature an open bar and first access to the available works of art from more than 70 galleries, as well as entertainment from the award-winning SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Combo.

See the full list of participating galleries here, and note that it is pretty S.F.-heavy, with a special section devoted to Oakland Art Murmur galleries.

Also note that the popular ArtPad event will be happening simultaneously at the Phoenix Hotel, featuring hip and small galleries from S.F., L.A., New York, and elsewhere. Each gallery takes over a room at the hotel, creating a cool mini mall of edgy contemporary art. See that list of galleries here. There is also a VIP preview reception for ArtPad on Thursday night, and tickets for that are $125. That will feature an open bar and food from Chambers Eat + Drink.

[artMRKT]
[ArtPad]