notables,Three Cristy Minstrels,William Kunstler,Janis Joplin,Vincent Price, Shirley Temple-Black,Elton Jhon,Beverely Sills,Robert Shields,Eric Hoffer,Herb Caen,Mark Mulleian's,1970s,Frank Gallery
In the 1970s, personalities, ranging from Three Christy Minstrels , the singing group from the 1960's, to William Kunstler, attorney for the Chicago Seven trial, would visit Mark Mulleian in the Frank Gallery.
One late San Francisco evening William Ball, founder and president of the American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) entered the front door of the Frank Gallery. Draped in furs, accompanied by two affluent female members of his entourage, in jubilation he walked up to the artist and dropped to his knees in admiration and invited Mulleian's input for art direction and stage set design for a play being produced by The American Conservatory Theatre.
On another occasion the mime, Robert Shields, entered the gallery and walked as a robot up to Mulleian. Then, suddenly Shields turned into a frog, leaping high into the air alongside the artist as they went for coffee.
On a warm summer's eve, Janis Joplin suddenly appeared, standing motionless, in rapt attention amidst Mulleian's paintings. Studying both paintings and artist, she eventually commented on the mysterious energies within the works and expressed wonder at their technical expression. Ingratiated by her southern-comfort style of silk and ostrich feathers, lavender and magenta streaking through the air, chiffon trails floating behind her, she made her majestic way toward the front of the gallery. She left with a flourish and jaywalked her way through the rush hour traffic of Sutter Street.
On another occasion, Mulleian would find himself holding and shaking the hand of Shirley Temple-Black in one of her many visits to the Frank Gallery. She admired Mulleian's work and expressed honor in meeting him. A few days later, she returned with her daughter.
Soon after, William Kunstler, attorney of the Chicago Seven, Many others would follow.
Many others would follow: Beverely Sills, Carlos Santana, Nate Thurmond, Elton Jhon, Herb caen, Eric Hoffer, Benjamino Bufano, Ray Taliaferro, Tullah Hanley, Vicent Price, Thomas S. Szasz, David Garvey.