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Tony Gemignani tosses some pizza dough at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, Calif. on Oct. 18, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Starting in January 2024, Gemignani will be showcasing local artists and photographers’ work on two billboards that he leases in the famous Italian American neighborhood of the city. The first month will feature SF photographer Markelle Palombo, and February will showcase the work of Jeremy Fish, who once moonlighted as SFGATE’s “burger inspector.” March will highlight the work of Natalie Gabriel.
Gemignani is looking for artists or photographers to submit their ideas for April, May and June. The best way to pitch him is to email portfolios and ideas to tony@pizzarock.com.
“I’m looking for, basically, a love letter to North Beach or San Francisco,” Gemignani told SFGATE. “It doesn’t have to advertise a building or a business. It just has to be through the artist’s eyes, and it has to be something positive.”
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One of the billboards, which Gemignani uses to advertise his brand, is located on the corner of Union Street and Columbus Avenue. The other, which is currently filled with graffiti but will be cleaned up by January, is at Columbus and Vallejo. The designs or photographs that are chosen will have to be OK’d by Clear Channel before the artist can proceed, Gemignani said.
Gemignani has a plethora of brands throughout the Bay Area. His Slice House concept, a counter-service restaurant featuring New York-style slices, is in sports stadiums like Chase Center, Oracle Park and Levi’s Stadium, and Gemignani plans to begin franchising these establishments throughout California, Nevada and even Texas. His other restaurants include Capo’s, Giovanni Italian Specialties, Dago Bagel and Toscano Brothers Bakery, all in North Beach.