Color & Contrast

Color & Contrast is an exhibition about what it looks like to find your way back.
Through paint and lens, this show traces the journey of mental health recovery: the fog, the small victories, the moments of clarity. Each piece began as an act of witness, turning feeling into form when words fall short.
Color, in these works, is not decorative. It is emotional territory. Contrast is not formal technique. It is the distance between who you were and who you are becoming.
The exhibition encourages reflection and dialogue, centering lived perspectives through art. You are invited to move through these works slowly, sit with the difficult ones, and recognize something of yourself in them.
This is not a show about overcoming. It is a show about enduring, noticing, and continuing to create.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to NAMI San Francisco, supporting their work to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness through education, advocacy, and community
We don’t want to turn anyone away due to lack of funds. We’ve set aside a limited number of free tickets—please email us at [email protected] to request one.

About the artist - Ryan Coquilla

Artist and painter who turned to his creativity to decompress and channel his mental health challenges into something more expressive. Works across a multitude of mediums, but will focus primarily on canvas-based paintings for this event. Based in Oakland, CA.

Links | Links

About the artist - Robert Surrency

Outdoor photographer specializing in aerial work. Photography began as a coping tool for my depression and anxiety and has since become a positive experience I share with the community. Based in San Francisco, CA and Anchorage, AK.

tomorrowsventure.com | instagram.com/tomorrows_venture

About the organization - NamiSF

NAMI San Francisco helps individuals with mental health conditions and their loved ones build better lives. They offer free, peer-led programs including support groups, classes, presentations, and a helpline, keeping those programs accessible to everyone who needs them, without financial barriers. Their resources are available in English, Spanish, and Cantonese, and they serve the broader San Francisco community through education, advocacy, and direct support.

namisf.org

About the Gallery - West Portal Gallery

West Portal Gallery is a community art space in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood, featuring rotating exhibitions, live events, and creative education programs. The gallery serves as a platform for local artists and a gathering space for connection, workshops, and artist talks.

westportalgallery.com

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Host or Publisher Ryan Coquilla & Robert Surrency