February 8, 2022 North Beach is a neighborhood that has long been known for its creative types, and happily that hasn’t changed too much. Even after the retail shakeout of the last couple of years, we’ve still got storefront galleries–with more apparently on the way. And although music’s heyday in this neighborhood has undeniably passed, you can still hear live bands in North Beach on any night of the week. Local photographer Markelle Palombo is now exhibiting at two popular North Beach bars: Vesuvio and Church Key. | Photo: Joe Bonadio Several of our bars also moonlight as galleries, displaying the art of talented locals, many of whom are their regular customers. Both Vesuvio and Church Key are on that list, and as it happens they’re both hosting exhibitions of the same local photographer right now: Markelle Palombo. I’ve known Markelle since she moved to North Beach nine years ago, and I spoke with her briefly at Church Key earlier this week for a little background. Vesuvio’s space is geared to the display of artwork, and makes an ideal backdrop for Palombo’s photography. | Photo: Joe Bonadio Joe Bonadio: So how did you originally get into photography? . Markelle Palombo: I moved to San Francisco to study at the Academy of Art, where I received my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in photography in 2017. I’m from Louisiana. . JB: Looking at your photographs, there seems to be a narrative thread, . MP: Yes. This series is called Extraordinary Decisions, and it’s about moving here alone from Louisiana as a woman. It’s about my expectations being from the South, and breaking away from that and doing something new. . They are all self-portraits shot in ambient light across the eastern Sierra. I shot in every national park in California, Oregon, Utah and Nevada. . Church Key’s upstairs hideout is a great place to exhibit unique visuals. | Photo: Joe Bonadio JB: Are these your first shows since Covid began? . MP: Yes! I did have some work at Live Worms in May of last year, but the Vesuvio show is my first solo since Covid. . JB: How do you feel to be back at it? . MP: I’m very excited for my friends and the North Beach community to have a chance to view this series. . Markelle Palombo’s Extraordinary Decisions, now on display at both Vesuvio and Church Key in North Beach. | Photo: Markelle Palombo JB: It must be cool to have your work at a spot like Vesuvio, with all the history behind the place. . MP: Very cool. Legendary artists have hung in that space, and to have my work displayed at Vesuvio is an honor. . JB: Congratulations, Markelle. I hope to see more from you soon. . MP: Thank you, Joe. . . An artist reception for Extraordinary Decisions will be held at Vesuvio on Wednesday, February 9th, from 7:00-9:00 PM.