So many unique art exhibits this month at small galleries and our fav museums, get your art on! East Bay Parks celebrates 85 years with free, free, free events. SF’s largest single day garage sale is happening tomorrow, get in line now! And listen in to my podcast interview this week with San Franscio jewelry designer, Heidi Carey

On this week’s Happy Hour Podcast meet jewelry designer Heidi Carey, who started her handcrafted jewelry business at age 50 and has a huge following of “Tomatoes” who love her designs. She talks about how she got her start from tomboy to accessories designer at Ralph Lauren, working directly for Vera Wang, to running her own successful jewelry line. It’s all about saying “yes” to opportunities. Listen in.

Art in August

Asian Art Museum for Tattoos

Hurry to the Asian Art Museum for Tattoos in Japanese prints before the exhibit closes Aug. 18. All of those tattoos you see on the arm of your barista, or the torso of that trainer at the gym, or even perhaps on your own wrist – many can be traced back to a famous series of 19^th century Japanese woodblock prints. This exhibit is alarmingly beautiful, and you won’t look at tattoos the same way again. Asisanart.org

Ed Hardy exhibit at the De Young

And just a few miles away, the Ed Hardy exhibit at the De Young is wowing visitors with and without visible tats. His splashy entrance into the culture of the 90’s had kids young and old vying for his signature hats and t-shirts. Ed Hardy: Deeper than Skin tracks Hardy’s goal of elevating the tattoo from its subculture status to an important visual art form. Don’t forget to share your tattoo #artofthetattoo, for a chance to be featured in the museum. Come on, I know some of you tomatoes are decorated! Deyoung.famsf.org

Midway in Dogpatch

Now onto the more unusual – starting tomorrow through October visit The Midway in Dogpatch. This gallery features emerging artists who work across disciplines and mediums with a mission to engage the public and push creative boundaries. In a collaboration with NYC’s Uprise Art, PortlandUprise West, Portland-based artist Christina Watka installs a large-scale hanging work that reflects upon rhythm, repetition, and sound, while Boston-based visual artist Katrine Hildebrandt-Hussey considers light and shadow in delicate paper works. Themidwaysf.com

Cannon Dill at Part 2 Gallery

You have probably seen Cannon Dill’s  colorful murals in Oakland and San Francisco. They are done in a distinctive style – a pen and ink drawing with common themes such as spirit animals that jump off the page, canvas, building. Known for his obsession with folktales and nature – in this solo exhibition, expect to see drawings of lots of wolves, coyotes, tigers, and other powerful spirit animals. Aug. 10 through Sept. 6 Part 2 Gallery, 1523b Weber St. (Oakland), part2gallery.com

Divine Women, Divine Wisdom

BAMPFA in Berkeley is well worth a visit at any time. Currently there are two “tomato” inspired exhibits. For all you tomato goddesses, Divine Women, Divine Wisdom is a celebration of the power and beauty of women in the Himalayan region, as seen through sculpture, jewelry, and more.

View Finders: Women cinematographers showcases the artistic visions of female cinematographers around the world. This series asks, “is there such a thing as a female gaze?”. I’d wager to say, you bet! BAMPFA, 2155 Center St. (Berkeley), bampfa.org

East Bay Parks

Clebrate the East Bay Regional Park District’s 85th Anniversary with a host of free activities. The East Bay Regional Park District has preserved and protected open space in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and provided public access to regional parks, shorelines, hiking trails etc. There are 73 regional parks planning special events and programs, including Free Park Fridays, Free Concerts in The Parks, and a Free Multicultural Festival.

Every Friday all fees will be waived, including park entrance and parking fees, boat launching and fishing permits.  You still have to purchase your own food! Free concerts will be held through September 28^th. Tonight in Alameda hear Jazz Mafia at Crab Cove. Sugust 23^rd head to Contra Loma in Antioch to hear a latin pop rock band and then back to Crown Beach on September 13^th for the foot stomping, hip shaking SambaDa band, funk, reggae, and afro-brazilian combined. Then on October 10^th join the regional parks’ fans for the 50^th Anniversary gala event. Ebparks.org

Garage Sale

Are you a treasure hunter? Love scouring through the “junk” at garage sales?  You must head to the Hillwide garage sale tomorrow. This annual event for knick knack enthusiasts in Bernal Heights is one part scavenger hunt and one part party served Bernal style. Over 150 residences clear out the clutter and place it for sale. This is arguably SF’’s largest single day garage sale.

What’s great is that 100% of the proceeds from the registrations (those in Bernal Heights) benefit the Bernal Height’s youth programs, senior programs, employment development, affordable housing and more. If you want to get a head start, you can visit their Facebook page and see what’s for sale or put in a request. Happy hunting. Hillwide.com