It's that time of year again—the flowers are blooming, the weather is getting warmer, and art students across the city are showing off their best work. Check out this year's batch of up-and-coming artists and designers at this series of shows put on by the San Francisco Art Institute, California College of the Arts, and Academy of Art University. Gallerists and museum curators will no doubt be out scouting this talent, so now's your chance to say you saw them here first.
San Francisco Art Institute
MFA Graduate Exhibition: This weekend, the Phoenix Hotel is hosting graduating artists ArtPad SF style—each suite showcases the work of two students. It's free and open to the public. Opening Reception, Friday, May 11, 6–8 pm; Exhibition Dates, Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13, noon–10 pm; The Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy Street
MFA Film Screening: From an Occupy doc to animated shorts, this SFMOMA screening highlights new works by graduating film students. Friday, May 11, 1–3 pm; SFMOMA, Phyllis Wattis Theater, 151 3rd Street
Spring Show 2012: The campus show takes over SFAI's Diego Rivera Gallery, courtyard, quad, and classrooms and presents the all-encompassing work of graduating BFA and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate students. Saturday, May 12 – Saturday, May 19, 9 am–4 pm; 800 Chestnut Street
California College of the Arts
Student Fashion Show: Each year, CCA designers send models to the runway to strut their clothing and accessories. The show is open to the public, so if you don't have tickets this year, be sure to get on the list for next year. Check out this preview video below. Friday, May 11, 8-10 pm; CCA campus, 1111 Eighth Street
MFA Exhibition: Nearly 50 MFA students are exhibiting work from a range of formats and subjects, with works addressing the space race, fame, identity, commodity culture, the masculine theater of television wrestling, and genre cinema. Thursday, May 10 – Saturday, May 19, 10 am - 7:30 pm; CCA campus, 1111 Eighth Street
Academy of Art University
2012 Annual Spring Show: AAU's highly anticipated fashion show came and went, but there's still the chance to see student work across mediums at the university's new campus at The Cannery. Thursday, May 24 – Saturday, August 11, 10 am-6 pm; Open House, Saturday, June 2, 9 am - 5 pm; 2801 Leavenworth Street
