The San Francisco Art Institute is the oldest U.S. art school west of the Mississippi River. Since its foundation in 1871, SFAI has cultivated a community of creatives that together play an ongoing role in major American artistic movements. From Abstract Expressionism to California Funk, SFAI’s influence extends well beyond the Bay Area. To mark SFAI’s 150th birthday, this exhibition celebrates these contributions while analyzing the institution’s history from different perspectives. The show spotlights seminal yet often overlooked figures of the Bay Area contemporary art scene, from the artist-model-muse Florence “Flo” Wysinger Allen to the painter and co-founder of the Six Gallery, Hayward King. —Sabina Vitale

This exhibition is accompanied by a 10-episode podcast series, accessible through the museum’s Web site.