SAN FRANCISCO -- Once a mayonnaise factory in San Francisco's Mission District, 1890 Bryant St. Studios now hums with the creative energy of more than 100 resident artists. The space is a rare sanctuary for those devoted to their craft in a city where studio space has become increasingly hard to find.

"We have toy makers, ceramicists, jewelers, painters, drawers, charcoal artists, photographers," lists Catherine Mackey, painter and mixed media artist who works from studio #204. For Mackey, her space is both a retreat and a wellspring of inspiration. "It's great because I can close the door and get my alone space," she says. "I'm one of those artists that, to get my creative flow going, I have to be quiet. I can't, I mustn't see anybody."

Up in studio #417, jewelry designer Peggy Li meti

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