Art has a way of bringing the unexpected into everyday life, transforming ordinary objects into functional works of beauty. From colorful ceramics to whimsically designed household goods, creative pieces can blur the line between utility and sculpture.
That philosophy is at the heart of And Friends Art Gallery, a boutique gallery known for showcasing artists whose work adds artistic flair to daily living. After three years at its current Portola Drive location, the gallery is preparing to relocate to a larger, more visible space at 860 41st Ave., the former home of Chill Out Cafe.
“It’s a long-term commitment that feels really meaningful,” said owner and curator Sydney Pfaff.
A New Chapter
Currently tucked behind a former drive-thru bank building that now houses Coffeetopia, And Friends occupies a storefront that many passersby barely notice. The new location, situated along the busy Pleasure Point business corridor, offers significantly greater visibility.
Pfaff founded the gallery in San Francisco in 2013 under the name Legion before rebranding as And Friends. A graduate of the Academy of Art University with a BFA in fashion design, she gradually shifted her focus from creating art to curating it.
“I work directly with artists, and we feature rotating shows,” Pfaff said. “I was able to build a really solid customer base.”
After more than a decade in San Francisco, Pfaff was ready for a permanent space where she could shape exhibitions without outside constraints.
“When the opportunity arose, I felt really strongly about it,” she said. “I really love the area, and I was already open on Portola.”
Pfaff lives in Aptos with her husband, Mark, their 3-year-old daughter, and two dogs.
More Than a Gallery
Pfaff envisions the new gallery as a welcoming “third space” where visitors can gather, linger and engage with art.
A custom wood counter crafted by a San Francisco artisan will separate the retail area from the gallery space, while couches and seating areas will encourage visitors to stay awhile.
“I think we need that—a space that’s not necessarily transactional,” Pfaff said. “I want people to feel comfortable visiting. The whole point of a gallery is for people to see art. Hopefully it will feel kind of like you’re hanging out in my house.”
The move has been welcomed by local business leaders.
“It will be great to have more art in the neighborhood,” said Derek Rupp, president of the Pleasure Point Business Association. “It’s a great use of that space.”
Rupp noted that Pleasure Point’s blend of surf, skate and artistic culture makes the gallery a natural fit. “The whole surf and skate scene has its basis in art and culture,” he said. “I love, too, that it’s all very locally owned. There are no chains in our neighborhood.”
Art for Everyday Life
The gallery’s name reflects Pfaff’s collaborative philosophy. The pseudonymous name “is a take on me and my friends,” Pfaff explained. She always felt it short-sighted to name art galleries after their owners. “It showed a lot of gall, it always struck me as odd,” Pfaff said. “My business is really focused on artists … It’s about my friends.”
Alongside signed fine-art prints, And Friends specializes in ceramics, textiles and mixed-media works. Featured artists include Aptos-based Electric Tides soy-wax candles, Wyatt Hersey’s tea towels printed by West Cliff Ink, and Haley Ann Bradley’s 3D-printed clay vessels, to name a few.
The gallery presents approximately 10 exhibitions annually, most scheduled a year or more in advance. “All the work is created for each show,” Pfaff said. “The goal is to create relationships with the shows.”
Upcoming exhibitions include “Sky Garden” by textile artist Danielle Peterson on June 20 and a solo exhibition by ceramicist Victoria Rickson, which will inaugurate the new gallery space in July.
Peterson’s exhibit includes whimsical tea towels benefiting the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota ($28). Pfaff said charitable collaborations have become a recurring part of the gallery’s mission.
Peterson had already been working on a textile project when the ICE raids began in that city earlier this year. “She and I had already been working on a limited towel release,” Pfaff said. “All proceeds went to a non-profit that was helping IMLA … in support of all people going through the horrid ICE raids.”
Past fundraising efforts have supported animal welfare organizations and Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. “I try to do that a lot,” she said. “I’ll get the artist paid, then all proceeds will go to a nonprofit.”
Rickson’s work features Nerikomi ceramics, a traditional Japanese technique that layers colored clay to create intricate marbled patterns. “Some of the patterns look almost quilted,” Pfaff said. “A lot of color.”
A Lengthy Process
The relocation has been nearly 18 months in the making.
According to Rupp, the former restaurant operated under a pre-existing nonconforming use permit and faced several site challenges, including parking limitations and the absence of a proper trash enclosure.
Because the site is close to the sidewalk and lacks sufficient parking for a restaurant, the property became a better fit for retail use.
“It opened up an opportunity for me because we’re just retail,” Pfaff said. “We don’t have a kitchen, so we have a little more flexibility.”
After obtaining permits, Pfaff discovered the existing structure was beyond repair.
“The answer was to raze the entire building while maintaining the same footprint and square footage,” she said.
Construction is progressing steadily. Roofing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work have been completed, while doors and windows were recently installed. The building’s exterior will soon be painted a bright color intended to create a welcoming visual landmark.
Despite the challenges of operating an independent business, Pfaff remains committed to a community-centered business model.
“It’s kind of crazy,” she said. “But we need to have small businesses. We can’t just be surrounded by corporations.”
Upcoming exhibitions
June 20: “Sky Garden” by Danielle Peterson
July 25: Solo exhibition by Victoria Rickson
Aug. 29: Solo exhibition by Michelle Fernandez
And Friends Gallery’s new location: 860 41st Ave.; current location: 3627 Portola Drive. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.,(831) 224-3787. Website: andfriends.space
