An Artful Guide To Union Square With Christopher Clark’s Gallery Director Mark Miles

Photo Credit: Christopher Clark Fine Art

For the past 16 years, Mark Miles has spent his days in the heart of San Francisco’s bustling shopping district, Union Square. As the director of Christopher Clark Fine Art, Miles oversees an impressive collection of European and American art—an unparalleled assortment of works by influential artists like Rembrandt, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Stella, and many others.

Photo Credit: Christopher Clark Fine Art

Christopher Clark’s convenient location near the square—and many of the city’s other top galleries— make it a destination for locals and art lovers seeking new objects of affection. “Union Square is one of the finest shopping destinations in the U.S., so you have easy access to all of the top luxury retailers, along with an excellent mix of restaurants, museums and performing arts venues,” Miles says of the area.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Christopher Chan

When he’s not in the gallery, Miles takes advantage of its proximity to ACT and the Curran Theater as well as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the museums. “Being in the art business, I’m frequently at the SF Museum of Modern Art,  the Asian Art Museum and the Contemporary Jewish Museum.”

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Miles shops nearby at Armani, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Wilkes Bashford, and  “when I want something with more of an edge, The Archive.” He also frequents “the new Apple store. It offers a feast of gadgets!”

Photo Credit: Eric Wolfinger

His favorite places to eat in the area? “Scala’s Bistro on Powell has ravioli with lemon-cream sauce that I’m addicted to, and The Rotunda is always good for lunch. Indian food is a favorite, and Amber India’s saag paneer is delicious. As for drinks, The Cavalier is always entertaining.”

Photo Credit: Christopher Clark Fine Art

Back at the gallery, Miles encourages the Bay Area collector to invest in works by artists from the region like Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Thiebaud, and Sam Francis. He enjoys the visceral response that art lovers may have to certain pieces. “It’s almost as if an electrical charge engages your senses.  The collection in our gallery spans 500 years, so clients often become smitten with art that might be very different from what they’ve collected.  Witnessing that is one of the great pleasures of being an art dealer.”