BEAR Cultural & Historical Archives

12/21/2016

"Beartoonist of San Francisco: Sketching an Emerging Subculture," curated by Jeremy Prince, will open at The GLBT Historical Society on Friday, January 27. Focusing on the art of cartoonist--beartoonist--Fran Frisch, the exhibition explores the early years of the San Francisco bear community.

http://lgbtweekly.com/2016/12/21/new-exhibition-traces-history-of-gay-bear-community/

"Bear San Francisco" by Fran Frisch (1989); hand-colored print. Collection of Jeremy Prince; courtesy GLBT Historical Society. SAN FRANCISCO -- A new exhibition at the GLBT History Museum will feature the work of cartoonist Fran Frisch as a starting point for exploring the history of the bear

09/21/2016

A perfect way to kick off : 2 More days till the GLBT History Museum's After Hours: Leather & Fur party. Beats by DJ Gayle Rubin, drinks provided by 440 Castro, and hosted by Drag King Alex U. Inn!!!

This month's theme, Leather and Fur, will bring together the leather and bear communities.

08/31/2016

The GLBT Historical Society is hosting their monthly After Hours party on Friday, Sept 23 from 7-9 pm, celebrating the q***r past with dancing, drinks, nibbles and mingling in the galleries after the museum's regular exhibition hours. September's theme, Leather and Fur, will bring together the leather and bear communities, with funds raised at the party supporting the GLBT History Museum's upcoming exhibition on bear culture. Featuring special guest DJ Gayle Rubin, preeminent q***r theorist and historian of the leather scene. Cosponsored by Bears of San Francisco.
Tickets available online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/after-hours-leather-fur-tickets-27296580808

03/11/2016

Happy !

As we research for our upcoming "Beartoonist of San Francisco" exhibit, we would love to hear stories from your experiences in early Bear Hug Parties. Let us know if you have any memories, photos, or printed materials related to these events.

02/12/2016

Happy ! We are excited to announce an upcoming exhibit based on Frisch's work at The GLBT Historical Society's Castro museum this fall.
We are looking for materials relating to his art for the Bears of San Francisco, local bars (i.e. The Lone Star Saloon), and events and Bear Weekends (Bear Expo, IBR, Lazy Bear, Bear Hug Parties, etc). Please PM if you can help.

Pictured: Harley & Max cartoon by Fran Frisch, Bear Magazine #31

10/30/2015

Happy ! Have a fun and safe Halloween weekend.

Donated from the Estate of Edward Sienkiewicz.

09/24/2015

Art fix of the day: "The art of Leon" at the Folsom Street Fair, Sunday, Sept. 24, 1989.

From The Lone Star Saloon Records ( #2014-01).

08/21/2015

Happy !

"Harley & Maxx" by Fran Frisch from Bear Magazine #53 (1998).

07/27/2015

From the archives: "The only official pre-Lazy Bear party in San Francisco" hosted at 440 Castro on July 27, 2007.

From The Lone Star Saloon Records ( #2014-01).

07/20/2015

Magazine Monday: The Bear Fax, "the nation's bear entertainment magazine", June 1991 (vol 1, no 10).

From the Larry Rivera Ephemera Collection ( #2015-02).

07/07/2015

From the archives: Who knew there were so many "series of delays and bureaucratic obstacles" for the Lone Star Saloon to obtain "permits necessary to legally operate a pinball machine and pool table." February 1994.

From The Lone Star Saloon Records ( #2014-04).

06/24/2015

From the archives: Shades Project 4: "Much the way THE [AIDS] QUILT reflects its concerns, THE SHADES represent LIFE! You can participate by creating a SHADE that reflects your personal artistic expressions of life, love and caring. It can be painted, drawn, assembled or just about anything else."

Bidding on the shades benefited the AIDS Emergency Fund (AEF), June 1991.

From The Lone Star Saloon Records ( #2014-01).