Dear Friends,

I came to San Francisco in 1966 to pursue education and a career in art.  I have  been in my current studio for 6 years and I have invested a significant amount of time, money and sweat equity into this space.  I have created a studio uniquely suited to my work and planned to be here until I semi-retire at 80.

I have weathered the storm of economic recessions in the past and have carefully arranged my life in order to keep creating art for a living.  Unfortunately the devastation of COVID-19 to the local economy, and in particular the San Francisco creative arts community, is threatening the security of retaining my current studio and my life's work.   Due to a series of unfortunate events and circumstances beyond my control, I am struggling to pay the rent on my studio. Recently, my truck was stolen and totaled by the perpetrator.  I had to incur further expenses to replace it.  Since COVID-19 arrived, I have been unable sublet the small space in my studio that was helping to pay the rent in the past.  I have drained all my available resources.  

I need your help.  I am reaching out to friends who have taken an interest in my work and any others in the community who love and support the arts.   It would be devastating to "give up" and close my studio.    San Francisco needs its art community!

If you can, I need your help.  I know that I am not the only one with financial issues right now, so I understand that not everyone can give.  If you can, I would be extremely grateful for your help.

I am asking for enough money to cover six months of rent, current and past.  I will only use these funds for rent for my studio.    My landlords are fair and kind people, and have worked with me, but I need to pay them to stay in my studio.  

Thank you for reading my story and for supporting the arts.

Peter Gutkin

For more info about me.......www.petergutkin.com 

See some of my work below and my studio.