The Point History

Prior to decommissioning in 1974, the shipyard was a Navy repair station. In 1976, a private contractor leased the yard and began subletting buildings to civilians, including The Point's founder, Jacques Terzian. His business fabricated found-object based furniture and wall installations. He saw the possibility of transforming several of the neglected buildings into affordable workspaces for artists. With co-developers Paula Terzian and David Terzian (daughter and son), The Point was soon home to 300 artists.

When the Navy did not renew the contractor's lease in 1985 in anticipation of the USS Missouri Home porting, the artists and other civilian tenants formed an effective alliance to protect their shops and studios. This group was joined by a broad coalition of community leaders and environmentalists. The coalition stalled evictions from the shipyard for numerous years. Artists' donations of artwork for auction raised thousands of dollars for this effort. Finally in late 1989, the Missouri home porting was cancelled and existing tenants were allowed to stay.

Today, with the transfer of the Shipyard to the city of San Francisco in process, there is still work being done to insure Hunters Point Shipyard will become an even more vital part of the City's fine arts community through groups such as Hunters Point Citizens Advisory Committee (C.A.C.) , Shipyard Trust for the Arts (S.T.A.R.) and Shipyard Artist Alliance (S.Y.A.A.).

"Making the Point" a Documentary

ThePOINT is grateful to Beth Shannon for creating a wonderful documentary film called "Making the Point". It tells the story of how Jacques Terzian, thePOINT's founder, kept thePOINT going in the face of political, environmental and financial obstacles.

In addition to the 22 minute film, the DVD also includes a photo archive and maps of thePOINT's changes over a period of 23 years. The DVD is for sale. All profits benefit the Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.thepointart.com/film/film.html
email: makingthepoint@mac.com.