The night before Valentine’s Day, artists gathered at SOMA Arts to talk about saving the San Francisco art scene.

It felt less like a policy meeting and more like couples therapy.

In this special Art Yap episode, Shawna asks three simple questions:
 When did you fall in love with the SF arts ecosystem?
 What broke your heart?
 And why are you still here?

From naked violinists in backyard performances to the grief of losing beloved venues and institutions, Dreamers & Lovers captures a city mid-reckoning. Artists reflect on open studios, weirdo energy, long-distance devotion, peanut butter budgets, and the stubborn belief that art is not ornamental — it’s essential.

At the center of the night is a reminder: grief is a clearing. And if we hold our anger too tightly, our hands aren’t free to build.

This episode is a love letter to the Bay Area arts community — flawed, fickle, resilient, and still here.

Happy Valentine’s Day.