Isaac Haney-Owens
b. 1991, Oakland, CA ∙ CE artist since 2013
Isaac Haney-Owens’ (b. 1991, Oakland) work is an archive of an increasingly disappearing staple of visual culture—the historic, hand-painted commercial sign. Haney-Owens began his art practice with film photography, and made diorama recreations of his photos and found photos of old signs when he first joined Creativity Explored over a decade ago. He has since begun shooting digitally, creating 2D paintings that are based on his photographs of and research on old signage. As we witness staples of the community being closed and replaced, Haney-Owens’ creative practice acts as cultural preservation of vintage aesthetics—“my work is a way of preserving history.”
In addition to his creative role as a cultural historian, Isaac is an advocate for the creation of safe spaces for people with disabilities, and has been a passionate spokesperson for Creativity Explored as well as a practicing studio artist.
Haney-Owens’ curated his first exhibition at the CE gallery in summer 2019, entitled Cityscape. His art was featured in OMCA’s 2023 exhibition Into The Brightness, which resulted in one of his works being purchased by OMCA for their permanent collection. Isaac provided the designs for the SF Icons Burnt Caramel Truffles from CE’s long-time licensee and community partner Recchiuti Confections.
Select Exhibitions & Projects
2025
“Limitless,” Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2024
“Claiming Our Space: Contemporary Art and IDD,” Petaluma Arts Center, Petaluma, CA
2023
“Into the Brightness,” Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
2021
“Blackiful,” Creativity Explored, San Francisco CA
2019
”Cityscape,” Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
Press
At Creativity Explored, Isaac Haney-Owens curates a vibrant 'Cityscape' (48hills)
Cityscapes by Dan Elkind (SF MoMA Blog)
SF Icons Burnt Caramel Truffles available for purchase at Recchiuti Confections
