Following on the heels of other nail art gallery exhibits (such as Chicago artist Dzine’s traveling Imperial Nails and Nailed exhibits and London’s Nailphilia in 2011), a San Francisco gallery showcased nail art as works of art during January and February. 24k Studios wanted to draw parallels between the dynamic innovations of nail art and the one-of-a-kind wearable art being created by emerging jewelers. The nail artists — Astrowifey, Britney Tokyo, Haus of Lacquer, The Illustrated Nail, Fleury Rose, Nail Jerks, Nail Swag, and NancyMc — were paired with jewelry designers and asked to respond to each other’s designs. Each of the 12 resulting collaborations featured an original submission, including a new ring or nail tip set.

For the opening reception on Jan. 25, nail artists Nail Jerks and Nail Swag created nail art designs live on site. Selected works were then installed in storefront windows through Feb. 17.

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