Meet John Lindsey | Artist, gallerist and chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Lindsey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had moved into a space and it was my design and print studio. I was only using half the space (even thought it is very small) and thinking about how I could utilize it rather than renting it out. A gallery seemed to be a good fit. I had worked at and attended the San Francisco Art Institute and new many artists. I always found that art informed my design. I had many friends form those days. And I found an add on Craigs List for very reasonably priced track lighting with the only requirement being I had to de install it, When we go there it was Frans Lanting’s studio a very prominent National Geographic photographer. This was a good sign. I always new that eventually I did not want to have design be my primary business.

The gallery business is very difficult. I was able to keep the gallery going for 13 years. With covid and a difficult lease negotiation I had to close the gallery for a short period. I was trying to redo the gallery lease and take over the tap room next door to turn it into a restaurant. I was able to finally get the landlord to move a little to make it work. We will be opening a soup restaurant next to the gallery called Rusty Ladle. These two businesses will now help each other. I originally came to San Francisco to attend the California Culinary Academy and worked all over. We are very excited for the next chapter.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Oh gosh – It took a long time for me to consider myself an artist. For many years my focus was marketing, communication and design for businesses. Producing over 120 exhibits at the gallery gave me many opportunities to work with artists on their work and gave me the confidence to produce and show more of my work. I have learned that it is my responsibility to offer these opportunities in a mindful, respectful and inclusive way.

My work focuses on where lands meets water rand the human impact on that environment. I am facinated with container ships that slowly move across our horizons. They seemed sop detached from their purpose of moving products, waste and other items across the globe over the lonely waters.

I have recently taken over the space next to ether gallery and am opening a soup restaurant called Rusty Ladle. We will also being having special Artists Dinners where people can look at work and get to know an artists and in some case be cooked for by that artist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely first stop is a walk at one of the many beaches in and around the San Francisco bay and ocean. If they have never been there before a walk along Crissy Field in the Presidio with views of downtown and the Golden Gate bridge is inspiring.

Such would be a stop at a great burrito shop like El Burito Express or some dumpings at Kingdom of Dumpling in the Sunset.

Then cruise Golden Gate park and go check out the de Young Museum or the California Academy of Fine Arts. Check out the swing dancing and roller skating.

Then off to North Beach and let them choose form one of the many great restaurants and maybe a night cap at the Li Po in Chinatown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Well first of all the all the artists that have put their trust in me to exhibit their work. People Like Mel Prest also have actively mentored my with insight to the art world and how to navigate it’s many nuances regarding being a part of and having a voice in the community. She has also guided me in my curatorial process. It is incredibly difficult to “pick” artists and having a process and, methodology and mission make it a lot easier. Mel has helped me with that. I would also say working with the Western Neighborhoods Project ( a history organization) has brought greater meaning to the the contemporary works I have exhibited. I have worked with their Executive Director Nicole Mehldal on numerous community projects that intersect art and history.

Website: https://thegreathighway.com

Instagram: @thegreathighway @rustyladlesf @john_t_lindsey

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lindsey-084719/

Image Credits
Al images courtesy The Great Highway