Born From The Ashes: Rayko Photo Center / Pretty Gritty
By Kal Spelletich
The history of RAYKO PHOTO CENTER, 428 3rd Street, S.F., Ca. is long and deep. Starting in 1990 Rayko began as a photography based arts space. After a few iterations in its 3rd round it landed at its current spot on 3rd. St. It had been shuttered for the past 5 years. But as of now, it has been rebirthed.
But I jump ahead, let us go back 23 years to the Gulf war. A true low point in American history and the war regime of George Bush Jr. San Francisco was engulfed in weeks of raging protests, city wide shut downs and activists rebelling against yet another Imperialist war. Hundreds of thousands marched in the streets. On one of those nights, with smoke, helicopters, tear gas and sirens still wailing, a large crowd of San Francisco's underground gathered at a new arts space, Rayko. Empty and not yet in use as a photography center, it was used as a fundraising party for Bill Daniel's 1st Pretty Gritty exhibit.
Late in 2025 Rayko opened its doors yet again, to be named Pretty Gritty SF.
Against all odds. In this day and age of the horrific AI corporate takeover of San Francisco real estate, the re-birth of a historic arts space is historic. All with no budget, no grants from the arts, city or corporations. Just the glory of making history.
The opportunity arose, and Bill rose to the occasion. Truly a DIY adventure fed by a punk street ethos and the sheer will of artist/curator Bill Daniel. Bill has deep roots in the DIY arts scene. 45+ years. From roadie for the notorious Austin punk bands The Big Boys and the Butthole Surfers in the early 1980's to becoming an award-winning filmmaker and photographer.
Honing his chops in the 1980s—already here we must pause, because the ’80s were not just a decade but an ideology—Bill spent what I would call deep time at Artists Television Access in the Mission. And this is important. ATA was not merely a space; it was a symptom, a crack in the smooth surface of cultural production. He curated and produced his own films there, yes, but more crucially, he interned and programmed alongside Craig Baldwin, which is to say he learned how institutions are both used and subverted from the inside.
ATA, scandalously, still exists—at 992 Valencia Street—persisting like an anachronism that refuses to die, a reminder that alternative culture can survive precisely by not fully believing in itself as an “alternative.” Since 1981, Bill has witnessed massive changes in the arts, which really means he has watched entire belief systems collapse and reassemble under new names. And through all this time, he accumulated what capitalism pretends not to value but secretly depends on: contacts, networks, human relations, worldwide. So when we speak of this next iteration—Bill as curator at Rayko—we should not imagine a fresh start. No, this is sedimented history returning. He brings with him a depth of knowledge, experience, and connections that cannot be fabricated, cannot be branded, cannot be crowdsourced. It is not nostalgia. It is continuity. And this, perhaps, is the truly radical thing today.
The Rayko building is now on the market, but to Bill's credit, the owner is happy with what is going on there. And for the time being, Bill continues to curate shows in this massive South of Market space. So with the building empty again, Bill is back 23 years later. There have been 2 guest-curated shows, a drawing show, and now a Bay Area When show. A fundraiser for queer punk Legend Gary Floyd's estate. All of the shows include films, bands, and DJs, and a fun party-like atmosphere. Bill would have to truly like your art to show it. Not to sell it. Showing came first. Selling was beside the point. But it could happen.
There are plans for what comes next. But watch out for a Historic comics exhibit, Two (2!) photo shows, a flyer show, films, dj's, skateboard art, video, photography. The ideas keep coming. They do not slow down. Neither does the energy. It moves out from the old brick building, beautiful, historic, one of a kind. You can feel it when you stand there. There is no money. No politics. No agenda. There is no one to tell him no. When you are going up against KAWS, you really can't miss!
Pretty Gritty and Rayko are looking forward to inspiring future generations to aspire towards this DIY approach. And Bill is always including the next Gen into the shows. Bill isn't against continuing this breakneck pace of shows/art parties and spectacles. In less than 6 months there have been 12 shows! But at what cost to him? Are there potential Medici funders out there? Any interns? Want to learn how to massage an exhibit into existence from nothing? Message bill and show up and contribute! Someone who appreciates deep local culture without regards to fashion? Bill can make a little go a very long way. And I bet you would be rewarded with some spectacular art! There is a non-profit umbrella supporting Rayko now, so anyone who wants to support and get a tax write off you can support this astounding adventure.
Keep your eyes open—wide and unblinking—your ears tilted toward the smallest tremor, your feelers tuned to that shy, electric hum that announces something alive. This place is a small miracle, risen improbably from its own cinders, still warm, still breathing. It will not last long. Miracles rarely do. The best things slip away early, like charm or youth, as if they know better than to linger. And yet—one can’t help wondering—must they? Or is it only we who insist on their vanishing, so we may call them perfect once they’re gone?
