This week we're coming to you live from beautiful San Francisco! We discuss public art, bleeps, smack talk, and our treasured memories.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Happy 400 to us! (shoutout to Conrad!) |
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026
399D - Jaged Edge
This week Kate went to a show! We discuss climate activists gluing themselves to paintings. We also look at a painting by Miyoko Ito (see the notes from the last episode on CongratulationsPineTree.com) and we try to say the name of the city of Concord.
Throwing soup at a Van Gogh? Why climate activists are targeting art
The music in this episode is by La Luz
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| Untitled, 1952 Acrylic on canvas 25 x 60 inches Carmen Herrera (1915 – 2022) See high res image here! |
Throwing soup at a Van Gogh? Why climate activists are targeting art
Here’s Every Artwork That Climate Activists Have Glued Themselves To
Thursday, September 10, 2026
399C - You Missed a Spot
Be sure to check out the show notes from last week's episode to see the paintings we're talking about this week! We look so hard our eyes fall out. Plus Kate went to a show, and Maysoun got solicited for art opportunities. According to Kate this is part 8 of our 10 week series on abstraction.
Check out everything at www.CongratulationsPineTree.com
The music in this episode is by Hannah Lew
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| Miyoko Ito Sea Changes, 1977 oil on canvas, 45 x 36 inches See high res image here |
Amy Ellingson's new book, On Painting and the Nature of Work
Big Joan, Little Joan video clip
Amy Sillman on Art 21
Seminars with Artists: Amy Sillman | Live from the Whitney
How to look at an abstract painting (Amy Sillman on Joan Mitchell)
Thursday, September 3, 2026
399B - Alley Rat Juice
This week we tell you what music shows we went to because we are cool music people. Then we get back into our ten(ish) week series on abstraction. We also talk about rejection and redesigning Arizmendi.
The intro/outro music in this episode is by Hermanos Gutiérrez
Next week's paintings:
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Joan Mitchell, Ground (1989) |
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| Amy Sillman, 2P1 (2024) high res image here |
Thursday, August 27, 2026
399A - Artmaxxing (with Mel Prest)
This week we are graced with the presence of painter Mel Prest. Maysoun is hunkering down in the tropics! We talk about abstraction, haircuts, learning at the foot of the master, and what the hell goes on in a painter's studio.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| A Tantric painting from Rajasthan circa 2002 |
Don't forget to look at this Etel Adnan painting for next week
50 Works 50 Weeks: Thomas Eakins’s “Wrestlers”
Thursday, August 20, 2026
399 - Ice Cream (with Mansur Nurullah)
This week we have the pleasure of chatting with artist, Mansur Nurullah! We discuss abstraction, books, scraps, the technological sublime, bullying, and counseling. We make a lot of deviations and tangents and detours. Plus giggle fits!
The music in this episode is by Hannah Lew
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| BASEBALL NUT |
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| High res image here! |
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
398 - Agnes Sharkin'
This week we jump the shark for the second time. First off, this episode is part four of our ten part series on abstraction. We talk about motherfuckin Agnes Martin, whether sharks are older than Satan, and Craig Calderwood's amazing new mural at SFMoMA. Maysoun speaks of drones. We apologize to the listeners.
The music in this episode is by La Luz (they are on tour! See them!)
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| Say hello! |
Thursday, July 30, 2026
397 - Deconstruct (with Danielle Lawrence)
This week we have the pleasure of talking to artist, Danielle Lawrence about abstraction, the body, and institutional decay. Then Maysoun and Kate explore their feelings about last week's painting by Howardena Pindell. It's a long episode, folks!
The music in this episode is by Hannah Lew
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| Get in the mess! |
Agnes Martin at SFMOMA (the next works we're looking at)
“The heroine Paint”: After Frankenthaler
High Times, Hard Times: New York Painting 1967-1975
Abstraction: Politics and Possibilities
Enter the Dragon: On the Vernacular of Beauty
At the Met Museum, an Abstract Show That Falls Short of Epic
Making Space: Women Artists and Postwar Abstraction
Thursday, July 23, 2026
396 - Crusty Peaks
This week Kate and Maysoun saw all the shows at Minnesota Street Project. We also talk about Marlow Moss and more abstraction! Plus we decide what shapes we are.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Howardena Pindell, Night Flight, 2015–16. Mixed media on canvas; 75 x 63 in. See a high res image here. |
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| Mark Perlman, Overview, 2025, oil and wax on panel, 60 x 48 inches at Nancy Toomey Fine Art |
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Marlow Moss, White and Yellow, 1935, Oil paint, string and canvas on canvas |
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| Marlow Moss, Untitled (Free forms), 1950 Gouache on paper |
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| Julian Schnabel, Divan 1978 oil, plates, and bondo on wood, 90 x 120 x 13 inches |
Howardina Pindell at the MCA Chicago
Thursday, July 16, 2026
395 - Hard Line
This is week two of our deep into abstraction! Be sure to share your abstract experiences with us!
419 351 6606 or email us: congratulationspinetree@proton.me
Also, Kate went and saw some shows!
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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Marlow Moss, Composition in Red, Black and White, 1953, oil on canvas, 76 x 51 cm. |
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| Marlow Moss! |
Nice, neat lawn by Abi Tucker and Stanley Millerby Abi Tucker and Stanley Miller
Space, Movement, and Body: Marlow Moss
Talking Painting: Dialogues with Twelve Contemporary Abstract Painters by David Ryan
How to look at an abstract painting
Sculpture in the Expanded Field
Mondrian His Life, His Art, and the Quest of the Absolute Nicholas Fox Weber
Thursday, July 9, 2026
394 - Understanding Abstraction in Ten Weeks
This week we begin a ten week course on abstraction. Please follow along, there will be prizes at the end. We also talk about the International Art Museum of America getting voted best museum in SF. Shocking.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Helen Frankenthaler, Mountains and Sea 1952 Oil and charcoal on unsized, unprimed canvas, 86 ⅜ × 117 ¼ inches |
Helen Frankenthaler, Mountains and Sea (large image)
Episode 18 - The Treasure Room (about the IAMA)
Thursday, July 2, 2026
393 - Get Madder
This week we have an emotional conversation about the SFAC funding saga. We also talk about the Queers Against Zionism event at the Lab. We also talk about poetry and why people hate it.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| MAD! |
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Bay Area Arts Picnic on Sat. July 11th 1-4pm!!
Elk Glen Picnic Area at Golden Gate Park
1017 MLK Drive at 27th Street
San Francisco Finalizes $17 Billion Budget, Restores Millions in Proposed Cuts
Bay to Gaza Mutual Aid Collective
Thursday, June 18, 2026
392 - Solidarity Forever! (with Leo Dugan)
This week Kate has a conversation with Leo Dugan from the Creativity Explored United bargaining team!
the music in this episode is by Deseos Primitivos
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| Union Strong! |
Creativity Explored United instagram
creativityexploredunited@gmail.com - if you want to get in touch!
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
391 - Funeral Dirge
We talk about the election results, a couple events we went to, a protest that kate went to, and safe injection facilities. Decriminalize drugs!!!! Huge spoilers for I Love Boosters, the new Boots Riley movie!
The music in this episode is from the I Love Boosters (Original Motion Picture Score)
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| Remember phone books? |
Supervised consumption explained: types of sites and services
Supervised injection facilities in Canada: past, present, and future
The Law (and Politics) of Safe Injection Facilities in the United States
Supervised Injection Facilities and International Law
New Strategies Are Needed to Stop Overdose Fatalities: The Case for Supervised Injection Facilities
The public health impacts of supervised injection sites in Canada: Moving beyond social acceptability and impacts on crimeThursday, June 4, 2026
390 - What's Up With the Sun? (with Ebti)
This week we have the great honor of talking to artist, Ebti! We talk about translation, theater, death, cats, light bulbs, and whether or not the sun is gay!
Sign this open letter to support the workers at the SFAC!
Music in this episode is by Meshell Ndegeocello
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| Languages! |
Ebti!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2026
389 - June 2026 Voter Guide
This week we finally made our voter guide! YES ON D, SAN FRANCISCO!
The music in this episode is by SPELLLING
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| do it! |
Thursday, May 14, 2026
388 - Not the Voter Guide
This week we start on the voter guide but then we delay it because Maysoun needs to do more research. So we talk about some shows and some emails and some voicemails. Plus we're back on Horse Muffin Bird again, because Maysoun accuses Kate of being a sniveling worm. It's a weird episode.
The music in this episode is by Australian lesbian, Courtney Barnett
A Flag With Teeth — Participant Form
Friday, May 8, 2026
387 - Pigeon Army
This week Kate and Maysoun went to a rally at city hall! We petition the birds to stop the surveillance state. Maysoun went to a show! We did it all!
The song in this episode is by Cain Culto, Xiuhtezcatl & Snow Tha Product
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| take to the skies! |
Monday, April 27, 2026
386 - VIP Preview
This week Kate and Maysoun hang out with billionaires. Kate makes a public apology. Maysoun tries to explain the SF charter, whatever the hell that is. Plus we tell you to go to a clown show.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
Loss of dignity!
Sugar Mud - A Surreal Comedy - BUY TICKETS
Arts for a Better Bay Area (ABBA)
Urbanist think tank SPUR unveils plans to revamp S.F. charter
Monday, April 20, 2026
385 - Yes on Prop D
Sunday, April 5, 2026
384 - Finishing the Hat
This week artist Sarah Heinemann guest hosts while Maysoun is abroad! We discuss therapy, the SF art scene, group chats, Maysoun's secrets, and so much more.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
Look! I made a hat!
Saturday, March 28, 2026
383 - Horse, Muffin, Bird
This week we take some listener feedback! Max Blue wrote in! We talk about community organizing. We also talk about a hurtful game called Horse-Muffin-Bird.
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| Muffin Muffin Muffin |
Friday, March 20, 2026
382 - Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault (with Sarah Heinemann)
This week we talk to artist and dear friend, Sarah Heinemann. We discuss colors, art ideas, public transit, how much Jerry Saltz sucks, cave paintings, and working with Sol Lewitt.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault Acrylic and crayon on canvas 48 x 42 inches |
Friday, March 13, 2026
381 - Wall Drawing
This week Kate talks about doing a Sol Lewitt wall drawing at SFMOMA. We also give information about a show. Cute.
The music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Walls!!! |
Friday, March 6, 2026
380 - True Believer
We answer a listener question about where to get cheap art! We are all over the map because we're freaked out by war.
the music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Wall art! |
SFAC Meeting Video
Thursday, February 26, 2026
379 - Emergency Meetings
This week we are in EMERGENCY MODE! SAVE THE ART SCENE!!! Plus Kate is mad about the giant naked woman sculpture.
the music in this episode is by spacemoth
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| Head over! I'll make you a drawing! |
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
Nobody's coming to save SF arts — the scene must save itself by Max Blue
Postcard writing info:
Letter
Template
Dear [Name],
As a member of SF's arts
community, I'm asking for your support in ensuring artists have a voice in
charter reform. The 1932 charter included arts representation through the War
Memorial Board. Today, artists have no seat at your working group table, even
as the infrastructure that sustains creative life is eroding faster than policy
and philanthropy can respond.
Arts and culture generate
billions in economic activity and defines what makes SF livable. Could you
bring our voices into your deliberations?
We need a charter that serves
all San Franciscans, including the artists who make this city worth living in.
In solidarity,
[Your Name]
City
Hall Officials
Daniel Lurie
Mayor of San Francisco
mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org
Office of the Mayor, City
Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 200, San Francisco, CA 94102
Ultimate decision
maker on charter reform and city governance. He restructured city government
and is driving the charter reform process. Artists need direct representation
in these discussions.
Staci Slaughter
Chief of Staff to Mayor Lurie
mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org
Office of the Mayor, City
Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 200, San Francisco, CA 94102
Chief of Staff —
the gatekeeper to the Mayor. Former SF Giants executive, advisor to Sixth
Street Partners. She coordinates all policy chiefs and manages access to Lurie.
Anne Taupier
Executive Director, Office of
Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD)
oewd.info@sfgov.org
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B.
Goodlett Place, Room 448, San Francisco, CA 94102
OEWD directly
oversees arts/culture economic development. Her stated mission includes
"repopulate our streets with arts and affordability." Came from
Tishman Speyer in 2023, has urban planning background.
SF
Charter Committee
Michael Pappas
San Francisco Interfaith
Council (Executive Director)
PO Box 29055, SF 94129 or 130
Fisher Loop (Presidio Interfaith Chapel)
Natalie Sandoval
Urban Land Institute San
Francisco (Executive Director)
2 Bryant St STE 300, San
Francisco, CA 94105
Ben Rosenfield
SPUR / former SF Controller
info@spur.org
654 Mission St, SF 94105
Shakirah Simley
Booker T. Washington
Community Service Center (Executive Director)
800 Presidio Ave, SF 94115
Kim Tavaglione
SF Labor Council (Executive
Director)
1188 Franklin St Suite 203,
SF 94109
Laurie Thomas
WISF Board Member
laurie@ggra.org
1 South Van Ness Avenue, 5th
Floor, SF CA 94103
Lynn Mahoney
San Francisco State
University (President)
president@sfsu.edu
1600 Holloway Avenue, SF 94132
Andres Power
Abundant SF (Board Member,
former policy director to Mayor Breed)
533b Simonds Loop, San
Francisco, CA 94129
Note: Abundant SF
mentioned as aligned with YIMBY/Astroturf groups but not prominently featured.
Tim Omi
Council of District Merchants
/ Fillmore Merchants Association (President)
8 West Portal Avenue, #389,
San Francisco, CA 94127
Zach Goldman
SEIU 1021 (Staff Director)
info@seiu1021.org
350 Rhode Island, Suite 100,
SF 94103
Susan Hirsch
Third Plateau / Hirsch
Philanthropy Partners (Co-Founder & Principal)
127 University Ave, Berkeley,
CA 94710 or 209 Kearny St, SF 94108
Marie Hurabiell
Connected SF (Executive
Director & Founder)
393 7th Ave Ste 301, SF 94118
RED FLAG: Phoenix
Project dedicated entire article to her. Registered Republican until 2022,
Trump appointee to Presidio Trust. Connected SF fully funded by Neighbors for a
Better SF (Oberndorf). Described as promoting "extreme right wing
ideologies."
Missy Narula
Crankstart Foundation (CEO)
1660 Bush St Ste 300, SF
94109
Progressive
giving focus.
Rafael Mandelman
SF Board of Supervisors
President (District 8)
rafael.mandelman@sfgov.org
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett
Place, City Hall, Room 244, SF 94102
Bilal Mahmood
SF Board of Supervisors
(District 5)
Bilal.Mahmood@sfgov.org
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett
Place, City Hall, Room 244, SF 94102
Note: GrowSF
spent $300K to elect him, replacing Dean Preston.
Chyanne Chen
SF Board of Supervisors
(District 11)
Chyanne.Chen@sfgov.org
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett
Place, City Hall, Room 244, SF 94102
Carmen Chu
Office of the City
Administrator
carmen.chu@sfgov.org
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B.
Goodlett Place, SF 94102
Greg Wagner
Office of the Controller
controller@sfgov.org
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B.
Goodlett Place, Room 316, SF 94102
Alicia John-Baptiste
Mayor's Office (Chief of
Infrastructure, Climate & Mobility)
mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org
Office of the Mayor, City
Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 200, SF 94102
Fred Blackwell
San Francisco Foundation
(CEO)
One Embarcadero Center, Suite
1400, SF 94111
Sherilyn Adams
Larkin Street Youth Services
info@larkinstreetyouth.org
134 Golden Gate Avenue, SF
94102
Sachin Agarwal
GrowSF
contact@growsf.org
393 7th Ave Ste 301, SF 94118
RED FLAG: GrowSF
director, key Astroturf Network member. Quoted criticizing "outside
money" after losing D11 race.
Josh Arce
Northern California District
Council of Laborers / California Alliance for Jobs
info@ncdcl.org
5672 Stoneridge Dr.,
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Katherine August-deWilde
Partnership for San Francisco
info@partnershipsf.org
600 California St Suite
12-001, San Francisco, CA 94108
Larry Baer
SF Giants / Advance SF
Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays
Plaza, SF 94107
Dan Bernal
UCSF Community Relations
3333 California St, SF 94143
Anni Chung
Self-Help for the Elderly
(CEO)
407 Sansome St, SF 94111
Meredith Dodson
SF Parent Coalition (ED) / SF
Parent Action
meredith@sfparents.org
312 Clay St Ste 300, Oakland
CA 94607
Led school board
recall campaigns. SF Parent Coalition received $100K from Neighbors for a
Better SF — part of Astroturf network's school privatization push.
John Doherty
SF Building Trades Council
(VP Subcrafts) / IBEW Local 6
info@sfbuildingtrades
council.org
825 Van Ness Ave Suite 301,
SF 94109
Bob Fisher
Pisces Foundation (Co-founder
& Trustee)
admin@piscesfoundation.org
268 Bush St Ste 3433, SF
Rodney Fong
SF Chamber of Commerce (CEO)
rfong@sfchamber.com
235 Montgomery St Ste 760, SF
94104
Norma Garcia
UC Berkeley (note: unclear
which Norma Garcia)
normagarcia@berkeley.edu
University of California,
Berkeley School of Law, Law Building #7200, Berkeley, CA 94720
Shola Olatoye
SF Downtown Development
Corporation (CEO)
5 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
94124
Anna Marie Presutti
SF Travel (CEO)
One Post St Suite 2700, SF
94104
Thursday, February 12, 2026
378 - SOS!
What the hell is going on?! What's going to happen!? The SF art scene is having a cataclysmic disaster lately! We discuss some of it.
The music in this episode is by Tommy Guerrero
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| Yikes! |
Artists Live Here: Community Convening
Bay Area Artists Connect: BayAreaArtistsConnect@proton.me
The AI spending frenzy is so huge that it makes no sense
Financial Crisis Forces SF’s Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts to Close
Thursday, February 5, 2026
377 - Know Your Neighbors (with Torreya Cummings)
This week we talk to artist, Torreya Cummings about THE WEST! We discuss the closing of CCA, birdwatching, desktop wallpapers, sailors, trees, radios, and so much more!
the music in this episode is by Ohmios
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| Trees! |
Thursday, January 29, 2026
376 - Hard to Describe
Kate gets backwards offended this episode. Maysoun draws things from verbal descriptions. We discuss the shows at the Richmond Art Center. Folks, Kate was tired editing this one. Good luck.
The music in this episode is by Beyond The Struttosphere
Thursday, January 22, 2026
375 - All's Fair
Atrium! Fog! Other stuff! Kate finds a way to work Stephen Sondheim into every conversation. Maysoun wants to make certificates.
the music in this episode is by aivi & surasshu
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| Fog. |
Thursday, January 15, 2026
374 - Friendless in Frisco
Kate announces a new weekly mixer! Fridays 5pm - 6pm at Et al. Make new friends and keep the old! We address a listener's question about making friends in the art world.
Music in this episode is by The Good Life
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| Ring the bell of friendship! |
Why It’s So Hard to Make New Friends as an Adult - Psychology Today
Thursday, January 8, 2026
373 - January Fools
We are fools this episode. Happy New Year! Maysoun went to Chicago! Kate went to Berkeley! We plan out our beginning-of-the-year expeditions.
The music in this episode is by SAMMI
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| Starting strong! |
Remembering Yoko Ono's "Cut Piece" by Julia Bryan-Wilson
Your Guide to the Bay Area’s Biggest Art Month by Sarah Hotchkiss
Thursday, December 18, 2025
372 - Disorient (with Helia Pouyanfar)
This week we talk to artist, Helia Pouyanfar. We go off about rice, the refugee body, fog descending upon the earth, and of course, cats.
The music in this episode is by The Good Life
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| Rice is from everywhere! |
Thursday, December 11, 2025
371 - ATA! (with Tessa Siddle and Ariel Zaccheo)
This week we talk with Tessa Siddle and Ariel Zaccheo about beloved San Francisco gallery and micro-cinema, Artist Television Access. Donate to them! We love ATA!!!
The music in this episode is by Tommy Guerrero
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