SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (February 26, 2026) — The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its monthly speaker series, “Making History Fun Again,” designed to honor the city’s legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.
On Thursday, March 19, 2026, The Clift welcomes Startup Art Founder Ray Beldner for a conversation with Root Division Executive Director Demetri Broxton about Bay Area Art: Then & Now.
Bay Area Art Then & Now: 40 Years of Change
Artist, curator and founder of Startup Art, Ray Beldner, is joined by Bay Area-based artist and Root Division Executive Director Demetri Broxton for a conversation tracing the evolution of the Bay Area art ecosystem over the past four decades.
Spanning a period marked by institutional closures, reinvention, and a renewed focus on equity, the discussion brings a vital present-day lens to what might otherwise feel purely retrospective. Reflecting on shifts in institutions, artist-run spaces, community networks, and cultural priorities, the discussion connects lived history with contemporary experience. Beldner brings the perspective of long-term participation in the region’s artist-led initiatives and alternative exhibition models, while Broxton offers insight as a younger artist and nonprofit leader shaping the current landscape.
Together they consider how the Bay Area art community has transformed and what continues to define it. According to Beldner, “Change is hard, but reinvention is part of San Francisco’s DNA, and the art community plans to continue to evolve how we approach and define future generations of artists and art enthusiasts.”
About the Series
The Making History Fun Again series:
- Celebrates San Francisco’s diverse and vibrant history
- Connects generations through lively, accessible storytelling
- Showcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons
- Invites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination
Signature Speaker Series Cocktails
Guests attending the March 19 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco’s storied past, including:
- Pisco Punch — A Gold Rush original from 1853
- Martini — Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez
- Night Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) — A wink to the city’s famed Irish Coffee
- Maiden Lane — A nod to one of San Francisco’s most notorious streets
Event Details
What: Making History Fun Again — Speaker Series
Featured Speaker: Ray Beldner of Startup Art and Root Division’s Demetri Broxton
When: Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: “Making History Fun Again” Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup
Thursday, April 16 – John Martini: 1906 Earthquake & Fire
Thursday, May 21 – SFHS – History of SF’s Legendary Hotels
Thursday, June 18 – Shawn Sprockett – Unthinkable Vice
About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is — and always has been — legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.
