I met Gregangelo Herrera when a friend invited me to attend the “Let’s Do Lunch Tour: A behind-the-scenes feast for the senses” hosted at The Gregangelo Museum every Thursday at 1 p.m. Guests are encouraged to break bread with the founder and his team of local and international artists, encouraging connection and a deeper appreciation for this extraordinary setting. The Gregangelo Museum isn’t just a place; it’s an experience that offers captivating, thought-provoking, and emotionally immersive guided tours, as well as mentorship, opportunity, and belonging through artistic, creative, and playful outlets.
Herrera describes himself as a product of the multiculturalism rooted in San Francisco’s history. Of both Mexican and Lebanese descent, his family’s history is one of resilience and strength: one side fleeing from Lebanon, the other seizing opportunities for work during World War II. “So it’s kind of cool that these two cultures made their way to San Francisco because it is this mecca of freedom and liberation, even at that time, which was far before the 60s and 70,”, an era Herrera remembers fondly. Born and raised in San Francisco, he grew up in Diamond Heights and attended elementary school in Chinatown during a time when urban renewal was reshaping the city’s infrastructure. He recalls the journey to and from school and the characters painting the fabric in the background, “Kooks and cults, Hells Angels, you know, hippies, nudist …” and recollects the smell of strawberry incense coming from the Hare Krishnas. Gregangelo references David Talbot’s book, Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love (currently a staff pick at the de Young Museum), which captures San Francisco’s history during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting the city he remembers growing up in. Shaped by these experiences, the energy of that era, and his deep love for San Francisco, Herrera turned to art as his way to express, feel, and share.
The Gregangelo Museum brings people together to share and ask about their stories while producing and embracing art.
And now, 44 years later, 225 San Leandro Way, nestled in the Balboa Terrace neighborhood, is more than just a house; it’s a home, a center for creativity, and a haven that brings folks together to find commonalities, to share and ask about their stories while producing and embracing art. Herrera shares how art can come from different spaces and how grief, in particular, started his journey within the space. He found himself turning inward and took to creating in his early 20s during the AIDS epidemic, a time of extraordinary grief, disillusion, and loss. “There was a lot of fear, and all of a sudden, being queer was like this, horrific thing. We were totally liberated, and all of a sudden we had to get back in the closet.” He shares how artists in residence and guests have used this magical place to purge grief, look deep within, learn about themselves, and experience who they are at this moment in time.
Herrera has helped sustain an economy of artists by providing a canvas, opportunities, and a place of belonging. He encourages the artists to continue imagining and creating, one step at a time, so that the transformative power of the space is maintained beyond him. Herrera shared his journey in an uphill battle with just a few members of the Homeowners Association board — neighbors who neither share nor understand what the museum means to so many and would rather see it disappear. While it may be difficult not to react with negativity, he remains true to his nature, responding with acceptance and love, hoping that one day he will experience the same harmony with them as he does with the rest of his neighbors. As he puts it, “When we give them eggs, they send back quiche. Literally.” He spoke about how the “artist” is not always valued and how he has fought and will continue to fight to create a space that will show that value. Ironically, this friction is helping to secure the museum’s future, as overwhelming support for Herrera, the museum’s artists, and his home was on full display Oct. 24, 2024 during an San Francisco Planning Department hearing where over 30 individuals — including Susan Brown, daughter of former Mayor Willie Brown — spoke about what the museum means to them and the importance of preserving and valuing it. Herrera has faced the fight head-on, securing many victories, becoming San Francisco’s 318th Landmark, one of the city’s newest entertainment venues, and recently, The Gregangelo Museum was officially added to San Francisco’s Legacy Business Registry on Feb. 24, 2025.
My visit was a journey that sparked every sense and exhibited the love Herrera has to share. I met multiple lovely humans who have played a big part in creating the whimsical colors, textures, and shine that touch every inch of the home. I gazed upon a giraffe in the midst of becoming a beautiful mosaic piece as the artist decided the perfect placement for each colorful shard. Laughter, tears, and heartfelt stories were shared over a delicious homemade meal. And in a perfect, unexpected moment, a friend and her son, just passing through, treated us to an operatic serenade. I have to say this quote explains my visit best:
‘We don’t have docents. We have what I call guides, and they’ll let the art ask questions, and guide you into stuff. And we’re going to sing together, dance together, cry and laugh together, whatever happens ….’
— Gregangelo Herrera
The Gregangelo Museum offers an array of adventures and tours, from fluttering through an “Enchanted Fairy Garden” to whimsically tumbling “Into the Rabbit Hole.” I encourage everyone to embark on this journey, whether on your own, with loved ones, or alongside strangers, and become part of The Gregangelo Museum’s story and help preserve this wonderful legacy.