A Place for Pichon: Sculptural Works by Steve Firestone

Michelle Thomas Fine Art Gallery + Studio is pleased to present “A Place for Pichon,” a solo exhibition by San Francisco artist Steve Firestone. This collection represents over thirty years of sculptural exploration, transforming the industrial ephemera of the modern world into objects of personality and place.

Event Details

Opening Reception: Friday, April 17, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Exhibition Dates: On view through June 26, 2026
Location: Michelle Thomas Fine Art Gallery + Studio

Artist Statement

The sculptures selected for this exhibition span over 30 years. The ephemera of an industrialized world are materials used consistently though not exclusively. They are reimagined and imbued with a new life once transformed.

The artist invites the viewer to identify the architectural influences in the work, a style once described as “Bauhaus Romanticism.” Like a scavenger, Firestone continually collects “stuff,” trusting that these dormant materials will reveal their potential in the future. While some pieces in this selection reveal a distinct personality, others evoke a profound sense of place.

Alongside this group are examples from the Pandemic Pantry series. Created during the Covid-19 lockdowns, these works were inspired by the newfound cultural interest in pickling and fermenting. Looking at studio shelves packed with “ingredients” collected over the years, Firestone began a version of “canning” using jars and bottles. The process required a steep learning curve and new tools, resulting in a deep appreciation for the craft of building ships in a bottle.

About Steve Firestone

Much like the work in this exhibition, Steve Firestone has often reimagined the course of his own life. Originally a student of architecture at Arizona State University, he later earned a degree in art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with an emphasis on painting and drawing.

After a career building and operating three successive framing businesses in San Francisco, Firestone earned a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. He served for two decades with the San Francisco Unified School District before retiring in 2020. Today, he works from his San Francisco home-studio, a transition he describes as “joyful and fulfilling.” While his practice is rooted in sculpture, he is currently focused on works on paper and a return to painting.

Plan Your Visit

Experience the transformation of the everyday into the extraordinary. Visit the gallery to explore the collection or shop the show online.