Cohen Alley
* Luggage Store Co-Artistic Directors/Artists Darryl Smith and Laurie
Lazer of the luggage store have been working to transform Cohen Alley
since 1989 from a place emblazed in a health-hazardous cesspool of
bodily fluids and other dumped items, non-supervised open-air chemical
experiments and illicit – criminal activities — to a vibrant ommunity
commons where people of all ages can gather for public art, performance,
experimental art projects. and classes and activities… Driven by
experimentation, cooperation, volunteerism and inclusion, dialogue and
food.
in May 2009 The Alley was reclaimed as “The Tenderloin National
Forest.” With recent funding from the San Francisco Art
Commission/Creative Space Fund and the Mayor’s Office, Community
Challenge Grant, a series of physical improvements were completed.
One of the very few open spaces in our high density neighborhood of
over 40,000 culturally and ethnically diverse residents, TNF lies
adjacent to two heavily trafficked inner city streets (Leavenworth
running north and Ellis running est); and it is roughly 23 feet wide by
136 ft. deep. It is surrounded by multi- story residential buildings
and hotels that house formerly homeless, immigrant individuals and
families, as well as seniors, artists, active drug users, dealers
and others. The Tenderloin Children’s Playground is situated
directly across the street.
In 2000, Lazer and Smith negotiated a lease with the City of San
Francisco for $1.00 per year, which permanently closed the alley
to traffic. A sculptured gate, commissioned by the luggage store
and built and designed by Bay Area artist Kevin Leeper was installed.
Over the years, Lazer and Smith have organized murals to be painted
on all sides of the Alley, produced and presented hundreds
of performances and cultural events, planted trees, vegetables, herbs,
flowers, built a small “ green” structure with a living roof, a staging
area, seating, a clay oven, and upgraded lighting.
The Tenderloin National Forest is now dynamic, and is one of the
most peaceful, quiet and inspirational areas in then neighborhood.
The name “Tenderloin National Forest” came from Marco Crescenti, a
student at SF State University during Sarah Lewison’s residency in the
alley…The alley’s original name is Cohen Place.
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