Ever wondered what it felt like to travel back in time? If so, take a trip to the California Historical Society, where SF State’s Poetry Center celebrates their 50th anniversary by presenting a rare collaboration of art and poetry.

The exhibit, “Poetry and its Arts: Bay Area Interactions 1954-2005” displays a combination of expressive works by 80 well-known artists, including Norma Cole.

“This is sort of a tribute to those early poets’ galleries that got going in the 50s and 60s,” said Steve Dickison, director of the SF State Poetry Center and curator of “Poetry and its Arts.” “Poets were very much in charge of showing their work by their painter friends, except it wasn’t shown in commercial galleries.”

The journey begins upon entering the blue antique-style building and the soft music of legendary jazz musician Miles Davis fills your ears.

Cole’s “Collective Memory” installation features a display mimicking the living room of a writer during the 1950s.

Visitors are free to relax on the ancient couches and chairs in the display and venture off into the world of a writer from the past. There is even a projector showcasing the view from a window during that era.

“It probably looks like what someone’s grandma might have,” said Cole.

Nearly hidden in the corners of the walls are lyrical quotes from poets such as Daniel Davidson or Maurice Halbwach. Sculptures and unique pieces of artwork are spread throughout the center.
For the past three months the exhibit has struck the interest of poets and artists that aren’t featured in the gallery and those who may be simply walking by the California Historical Society.

“I really love the sense of history and the sense of collaboration. It makes me really happy to be reminded of the community that artists have built amongst each other for many, many, many years,” said Stefani Barber, poet and assistant editor of Girlfriends, a lesbian cultural magazine.

This is the first poetry and art collaboration that the California Historical Society and the SF State Poetry Center have presented - a historical event for both circles of artists and poets alike.
Exhibits, as well as the poetry readings, bring in a diverse audience. The mood is calm and relaxing and the work can inspire almost anyone to go out and express themselves.

“I think this exhibit has provided a good way for a lot of local artists to come together and start to take new directions again,” said Barber.

The exhibition runs through April 16 at the California Historical Society, 678 Mission St. In addition to the displays, there are poetry readings on some Saturdays and Thursdays. Times vary depending on the day of the show. Admission is $3 for the public and $1 for students with a college I.D.

For additional information on “Poetry and its Arts,” go to http://www.sfsu.edu/~poetry/index.html or http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/.