​The economy sucks, but we don't care -- the Bay Area is home to artists so talented they deserve to take over the world. That's why the Masterminds grants are given to three local and emerging artists who need that little push to become even more awesome.

SF Weekly has narrowed down the potential winners to 10 finalists, with the three winners being chosen Feb. 16. at Public Works during Artopia. Until then we're going to fall in love with their creative work all over again by featuring the profiles (written by our arts critic Jonathan Curiel) of two finalists each day right up until the event. Today meet Baldur Helgason and Laurie Halsey Brown:

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​The economy sucks, but we don't care -- the Bay Area is home to artists so talented they deserve to take over the world. That's why the Masterminds grants are given to three local and emerging artists who need that little push to become even more awesome.

SF Weekly has narrowed down the potential winners to 10 finalists, with the three winners being chosen Feb. 16. at Public Works during Artopia. Until then we're going to fall in love with their creative work all over again by featuring the profiles (written by our arts critic Jonathan Curiel) of two finalists each day right up until the event. Today meet Lisa Alonzo and Jon Kuzmich:

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​The economy sucks, but we don't care -- the Bay Area is home to artists so talented they deserve to take over the world. That's why the Masterminds grants are given to three local and emerging artists who need that little push to become even more awesome.

SF Weekly has narrowed down the potential winners to 10 finalists, with the three winners being chosen Feb. 16. at Public Works during Artopia. Until then we're going to fall in love with their creative work all over again by featuring the profiles (written by our arts critic Jonathan Curiel) of two finalists each day right up until the event. Today, meet detour dance and Meklit Hadero.

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​The economy sucks, but we don't care -- the Bay Area is home to artists so talented they deserve to take over the world. That's why the Masterminds grants are given to three local and emerging artists who need that little push to become even more awesome.

SF Weekly has narrowed down the potential winners to 10 finalists, with the three winners being chosen Feb. 16. at Public Works during Artopia. Until then we're going to fall in love with their creative work all over again by featuring the profiles (written by our arts critic Jonathan Curiel) of two finalists each day right up until the event. Today, meet Dohee Lee and Michelle Tholen:

More >>

​The economy sucks, but we don't care -- the Bay Area is home to artists so talented they deserve to take over the world. That's why the Masterminds grants are given to three local and emerging artists who need that little push to become even more awesome.

SF Weekly has narrowed down the potential winners to 10 finalists, with the three winners being chosen Feb. 16. at Public Works during Artopia. Until then we're going to fall in love with their creative work all over again by featuring the profiles (written by our arts critic Jonathan Curiel) of two finalists each day right up until the event. Today, meet Eric Cohen and Eliane Lima.

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​Updated with new extended deadline!

It's that time of year again: Not ski season (sadly!) but Masterminds, an annual competition held by SF Weekly to give leading local artists, designers, filmmakers, and performers cash grants.

Yes, you read that right: We're giving away good money to good local artists. (Emerging artists! That means, you aren't getting rich at it ... yet!) But to win, you have to enter by Jan. 23 noon on Friday, January 27.

Masterminds grants will be awarded in the following categories: Visual art, fashion/design, performing arts, and film/video/media. The exact size of the 2012 grants haven't been determined yet, but last year we gave out three grants at $1,500 each. Hit the jump for this year's details.

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We were into Ben Venom before anybody. Well, OK, that's not true -- but we were into him before National Public Radio and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts were.

In April we awarded Venom (a.k.a. Ben Baumgartner) and two other artists our annual Masterminds grants. We chose them from scores of applicants. Venom is the behind the heavy-metal fabrications that emphasize "fabric" -- simply put, he makes quilts from t-shirts of heavy metal bands.

Ben Venom shows textiles who's boss.

​But even if the product only has a niche market, it's picking up wider appeal as form of snuggleable art.

The seamster's works are featured in the Yerba Buena Center's "Bay Area Now 6" exhibition. And just a couple of days ago, Venom's voice -- interspersed with heavy-metal music clips -- hit the airwaves on NPR's weekend edition of All Things Considered.

Again, we were into him before, well, these other guys. If that makes us heavy-metal quilt hipsters, then rock on.

Laurel Shear

"Just Waking"

​Laurel Shear, one of 10 artists who was a finalist for an SF Weekly Masterminds Grant in February, has started a working relationship with the SFMOMA's Artists Gallery as the result of her exposure.

Shear's painting, "Just Waking," is now on display in the Artists Gallery, said gallery director Maria Medua. The same painting was among those shown at the Feb. 16 Artopia event, where the Masterminds winners were announced and where Shear and Medua met.

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Keith Bowers

James Shefik stands near one of his sculptures on display at Public Works.

​SF Weekly announced that artists James Shefik, Hugh Leeman, and Ben Venom won $1,500 Masterminds Grants at its fourth annual Artopia event last night. The three artists were among 10 finalists competing for the grants and among more than 300 who submitted materials in the competition. More than 700 people gathered at Public Works for the event.

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​SF Weekly's Artopia highlights exceptional Bay Area artists. More than 300 people submitted entries this year for three $1,500 grants that we call "Masterminds." We received a lot of deserving work, and choosing 10 finalists was difficult. Painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and a quilter made our Top 10. Their art will be displayed at Artopia, which takes place tonight at Public Works. The Mastermind winners will be announced to fanfare and, we know, a great deal of applause.

We've posted short items about our finalists every day this week. Here are the final three:

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