RUTH’S TABLE HISTORY
1968-1976 ROOTS & INSPIRATION
1968
Ruth Asawa and Sally Woodbridge launched the Alvarado Arts Project at Alvarado Elementary School in San Francisco to bring visual arts into public school classrooms.
Parents and artists worked in the classroom, ensuring all students had access to hands-on creative experiences.
The Alvarado Arts Project became a national model, inspiring arts programs in schools across the country.
1969
Ruth Asawa’s mosaic Growth is installed at Bethany Center Senior Housing.
The completed mosaic self-portrait made by the Alvarado community, 1971. Photo by Aiko Cuneo
1971
Collaborative tile mosaic Ruth Asawa and Nancy Thompson created with students, still installed at Alvarado School today.
Ruth Asawa at Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective View, San Francisco Museum of Art, 1973. Photograph by Laurence Cuneo. © 2024 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Courtesy David Zwirner.
1973
Ruth Asawa’s first retrospective at SF MOMA
1976
Anne Marie Theilen founded SCRAP (Scroungers’ Center for Reusable Art Parts) to redirect discarded but usable materials from local businesses into San Francisco classrooms—with renowned artist Ruth Asawa joining as the first Board President, helping to elevate SCRAP’s mission and root it deeply in the community.
Now the oldest creative reuse center in the U.S., SCRAP diverts around 250 tons of materials from landfills each year, serving as a vital resource for educators, artists, and nonprofits.
1997/2009
Salud! The Bethany Senior Center Mural
by Dan Fontes and Isabel Graeser
2010–2013: Founding & Early Growth
Lola Fraknoi and Jerry Brown
2009
Ruth Asawa gives her blessing to Lola Fraknoi (Artist/Educator) and Jerry Brown (Executive Director of Bethany Center Senior Housing) for the name Ruth’s Table as a community arts initiative. Ruth’s Table emphasizes hands-on art-making and social connection for older adults.
2010
First gallery exhibition, Taking Root at Ruth’s Table.
2011
Artist Monica Lee joins Ruth’s Table as RT’s weekly Creative Reuse teaching artist
2011
Roots of an Artist documentary premieres at the first annual Legacy Film Festival on Aging.
2011
Mission shifts to intergenerational engagement, driven by community response. Bethany Center Senior Housing residents and other older adults agree that inviting younger people into the space provides a shared connection that positively impacts their daily lives.
2013
Ruth’s Table hosts four contemporary exhibitions annually and establishes major partnerships.
2014–2019: Expansion & New Space
2014
Plans begin for a permanent Ruth’s Table building at Bethany Center.
2018
Ruth’s Table relocates to 3160 21st Street, unveiling a new gallery and garden.
2019
Grand re-opening with Beyond the Warp and Weft exhibition.
2020–2022: Adapting & Innovating
2020
COVID-19 shifts programming online—Enduring Inspiration, virtual exhibits, Creative Spark trainings, and Virtual Studio launched.
2022
Bethany Center merges with Front Porch, strengthening arts-based programming.
2023–2025: Recent & Upcoming Programs
2023
Intertwined first Ruth’s Table fundraiser with SCRAP.
2024
First annual Boldly Ourselves LGBTQ+ Pride Exhibition and Live Performance Showcase.
2024
Lunar New Year brings intergenerational art-making & performances to Ruth’s Table.
2025
ROOTED (April) curated by Jun Yang featuring 60 AANHPI artists from the Bay Area.
2025
Radical Resilience exhibit (July) – Disability justice & accessibility in art.
2025
SF MOMA events (April 13/May 1): Ruth Asawa Retrospective celebrations and art-making at SF MOMA with Ruth’s Table teaching artists and volunteers.
Key Contributors & Leadership
Lola Fraknoi
Founder
Visionary who launched Ruth’s Table in 2009.
Aiko Cuneo
Educator AND Artist
Developed collaborative, hands-on art programming.
Monica Lee
Teaching Artist
14+ years leading creative reuse & community art worships.
Jessica McCracken
Senior Director
Led Enduring Inspiration initiative during COVID-19.
Jerry Brown
Bethany Center
Key figure in expanding Ruth’s Table into a permanent space.