In June 2021, artist and actor Jimmie Fails moved into the Doolan-Larson Residence as our third artist-in-residence. The star of The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) follows in the footsteps of composer Ben Juodvalkis (who completed his residency in May) and visual artist Jeremy Fish. During his residency, Fails will compile a collection of poems, short stories, and journals, as well as continue his work on a script about his experience growing up in a group home with nine other boys from differing backgrounds. While he is most known for acting, he has been eager to get his personal writing out to the public, and sees the Doolan-Larson Residence and other Haight-Ashbury historic properties as inspiration. In his proposal for the residency, he wrote:
“It’s places like [the Doolan-Larson Residence] that spark my creativity and keep me inspired to make art. As a San Franciscan, I am truly honored to take on this residency with SF Heritage and complete some culturally beneficial projects for the city and neighborhoods, especially the Haight, which I have loved and dreamt of living in. I’m excited about how the house will inspire me.”
Jimmie Fail’s residency is in partnership with Value Culture, which has a mission to produce and support artistic, educational, charitable, and spiritual events to inspire individuals to give back in their communities, including current initiatives in Covid relief, mental health awareness, anti-hate, and food security.
Heritage launched its artist-in-residence program last fall. The vision for the Doolan-Larson Building is to promote art, equity, and the interpretation of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and the overall Counterculture Movement. All Heritage programs further our mission to enhance and preserve San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural history.
