Coffee talk
CALLIE JONES • COL Gallery
WORK • Friday Routine
CALLIE JONES (above, right) • co-founder • COL Gallery
Neighborhood you work in: Fisherman’s Wharf
Neighborhood you live in: North Beach
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Julia Li and I co-founded a gallery in Ghirardelli Square two years ago, with a beautiful waterfront view overlooking the Bay. You can find us here planning exhibitions or meeting with visitors to chat about the artists we show and love, typically women, ranging anywhere in age from 25 to 95.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Most mornings begin with a call to an artist to plan upcoming projects or simply catch up. Currently, we’re focused on Lily Alice Baker: Risk of Delight, which opened on November 21. Lily, an artist from London, created new paintings during a recent residency in San Francisco. I fell in love with her work immediately — how her paintings celebrate being together, the communities we build, and the simple moments that connect us (like sharing time at a bar or restaurant with friends).
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
We’re frequent visitors to The Buena Vista down the street from the gallery for burgers and Irish coffees. Ghirardelli Square is full of great options including Barrio for the best birria tacos. Julia and I often meet at Original Joe’s or Tony’s in North Beach to plan over spicy rigatoni or pizza. Kokkari is a longtime favorite for souvlaki and Nopa is always a go-to.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I love stand-up comedy and live close to Cobb’s Comedy Club, which I often frequent. I also love seeing concerts at Bimbo’s — I saw The Last Dinner Party playing there, and I haven’t stopped thinking about the show! The Presidio Theater is another favorite.
Any weekend getaways?
I often visit Cavallo Point for a weekend away or Stanly Ranch in Napa. After moving here from New York, I fell in love with all of the nearby vineyards like Ashes and Diamonds in Napa or Flowers in Healdsburg.
What was your last great vacation?
This year, I visited Dublin for my best friend’s wedding at Luttrellstown Castle. It was my first time in Ireland and I loved exploring the city, and Toners Pub, the Guinness Storehouse, and Trinity College were all highlights.
Afterward, we visited friends in London which might be my favorite city after San Francisco. We always go to Gymkhana for dinner and this trip we also made it to the Churchill War Rooms.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Almost all of my big purchases are paintings. Most recently, I bought a piece by Oakland-based artist, Esteban Samayoa, and another by Maya Fuji at Root Division’s annual art auction. Root Division is a wonderful nonprofit that provides studio space for artists and teaches art to over a thousand students who might not otherwise have access. My friend PJ Policarpio also curates incredible exhibitions there that are free and open to the public.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I really believe in supporting the local arts ecosystem so I frequently recommend Orion Custom Framing. Lately, I’ve also been hooked on Substack — particularly one by Max Blue, a local writer and arts critic, whose thoughtful essays explore what it means to lead a creative life. For photography, Zabrina Deng is the absolute best at capturing important moments; she balances weddings, editorial work, and our art events with her ongoing personal project Women of Chinatown. And lastly, my business partner, Julia Li, just opened a new café in Waterfront Plaza called Lulu Fresh.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m part of the Creativity Explored Friends Circle. Creativity Explored is an incredible non-profit that supports artists with developmental disabilities. Visitors can stop by, meet the artists and purchase art to continue to support their organization.
Earlier this year, Julia and I founded KARL, a collaborative pop-up initiative that brings together local galleries and nonprofits to present rotating exhibitions. Each presentation includes an opening or event that’s free and open to the public. Most recently, Brandin Vaughn (best known for dressing Beyoncé) staged a fashion show in the middle of our exhibition that celebrated textile-based artists.