Beau McCall: Buttons On! Exhibition Brings Harlem’s Button Art to San Francisco’s Museum of Craft and Design

 

Beau McCall, Button Yoke and Apron Ensemble_ Flower Power, 2021. Photo by Will Howcroft.jpg

Harlem’s Button Man Takes 

San Francisco: Beau McCall: Buttons On!

Curator Souleo, a true Harlem jewel, has once again brought his signature vision across state lines. His curatorial finesse powers the Museum of Craft and Design’s presentation of Beau McCall: Buttons On!—injecting a distinctly New York creative energy into San Francisco’s vibrant cultural scene.

Currently on view through September 14, 2025, the exhibition dazzles with an exploration of the artistry and allure of the humble button. Originally organized by the Fuller Craft Museum, the show is curated by Peter “Souleo” Wright—often hailed as “Harlem’s Heart & Soul.” It celebrates nearly forty years of work from artist Beau McCall, whose creations have captivated critics and secured places in some of the world’s most distinguished collections.

Beau McCall, Button Apron_ Wood Works, 2021. Photo by Will Howcroft.jpg

Rhinestones, Reality, and the Button Universe

Forget what you thought you knew about buttons. McCall elevates them from utilitarian fasteners to cultural storytellers. Each piece—hand-sewn primarily from upcycled fabrics—bursts with pop culture, protest, and irresistible glamour.

• Wearables: Jackets, sneakers, jewelry, and durags infused with Harlem bravado and underground style.

• Showpieces: A 450-pound button-encrusted cast-iron bathtub. A life-size Kool-Aid Man dripping in button brilliance.

• Archives: Press clippings, photographs, and personal artifacts stitch together the journey of an artist whose legacy is both intimate and spectacular.

“The button is simple in most minds, but for me it’s a vehicle,” McCall explains. “Through buttons I create art that provokes reflection on race, class, LGBTQ+ identity—while also sparking joy and connection.”

Left to right_ Beau McCall, Button Sneakers_ Sunny, 2022_Button Sneakers_ All Sports, 2022_Button Sneakers_ Moonwalk, 2018_Photo by Will Howcroft (1).jpg

What’s in the Show?

• Buttons on the Body: Wearable art pulsing with Harlem swagger.

• Buttons on the Mind: Conceptual works, from record adapters to jars of buttons carrying oral histories.

• Buttons on the Soul: Archival treasures, including the first jar of buttons McCall discovered at age 19.

• Buttons Off: Works that step beyond buttons entirely, spotlighting McCall’s creative agility.

Dubbed “The Button Man” by American Craft, McCall launched his career in Harlem after arriving from Philadelphia with little more than determination and a duffel bag. His debut at The Harlem Institute of Fashion sparked a trajectory that now spans museum collections in New York, London, Philadelphia, and beyond—with media coverage ranging from Women’s Wear Daily to NPR.

Beau McCall, darkmuskoilegyptiancrystals&floridawater_ redpotionno.1, 2014. Photo by Will Howcroft.jpg

Souleo’s Signature Touch

Guest curator Souleo is celebrated for blending visual art, fashion, literature, and performance, all while championing underrepresented voices. His projects have graced the New York Public Library and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, with recognition in outlets including the New York Times, Essence, and PBS. His imprint on Buttons On! amplifies McCall’s work while anchoring it in Harlem’s creative pulse.

Plan Your Visit

The Museum of Craft and Design, located at 2569 Third Street in San Francisco’s Dogpatch district, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is complimentary for active-duty military, essential workers, and first responders.

An opulent exhibition catalog—featuring more than 100 full-color images and essays by James Claiborne, Barbara Paris Gifford, Petra Slinkard, plus McCall’s own story told to Kara Olidge at the Getty Research Institute—is available onsite.

For those outside the Bay Area, McCall’s merchandise offers a way to take home a piece of the magic. Explore his online shop here: beaumccall.com/shop. (Note: artworks are not for sale, only merchandise.)

On the Road

Beau McCall: Buttons On! runs in San Francisco until September 14, 2025, before traveling to:

• Mattatuck Museum (October 12, 2025–January 4, 2026)

• African American Museum in Philadelphia (March 20–July 11, 2027)

Generous support for the exhibition comes from Anonymous, the Windgate Foundation, and Grants for the Arts.