Issue #10:
Successes for Weekend 3; The Art Experience; and Upcoming Issues
Issue #9:
Successes for Weekend 2; Weekend 3 Highlights; and Demonstrations
Issue #8:
Successes for Weekend 1; Weekend 2 Highlights; and Demonstrations
Issue #7: Gala Opening for SVOS 2004;
Highlights for Weekend 1; and Demonstrations
Issue #6:
Serendipity by Design; Inspired Monotypes; and Digital Wonders
Issue #5:
Fire, Noise & Punch; Watercolor Jungle; & Houses of Spirit
Issue #4:
Step Into My Garden, Woman's Best Friend, and Coincidences
Issue #3:
Girl Power, Layers of Paint, and Familiar Subjects
Issue #2:
Figurative Art, Art in
Transit, and Life on Three Levels
Issue #1: Jellyfish, Trinity Alps and
Tranquility
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SVOS GALA OPENING: A LAUNCHPAD
FOR THE VISUAL ARTS COMMUNITY
By Angie Young with Patti
Linder-Dodd
Pre-Gala excitement echoed off
every angle of steel, glass and concrete at the San Jose Museum of Art
Thursday evening, April 22nd. Volunteers busily jotted down the names
of ninety-five artists who contributed to the silent auction, labeling
the many works of art. A lovely musical duo - Kimberly Reeves-Parker
and brother Grant Reeves - tuned up their instruments before the crowd
arrived. Platters of fresh, sumptuous hors d’ oeuvres lined the tables
on leafy resting places, untouched only moments before the large
glass-paneled doors swing open, permitting the throng of 400
well-dressed guests to enter the world of art. This fashionable event
officially kicked off Silicon Valley Open Studios’ inaugural gala and
benefit auction.
For the visual art-starved
population of the South Bay, this celebration was a welcome sight. The
gala gave the message to artists, collectors, politicians, curators and
the general public that visual art is a vibrant, precious commodity.
The event featured two auctions, one live and the other silent. Artists
who received three or more stars in the juried SVOS Stars program had
their pieces up for sale. People streamed through the doors of the San
Jose Museum of Art to meet their creative colleagues and view the fine
works of art from Collection 2004 and accompanying winners who
received Stars as part of the juried program.
Kerri Lawnsby, the executive
director of SVOS, devoted months to creating this first-time gig with
her team of fifty volunteers. The culmination of theirefforts paid off
Thursday night. We won’t be seeing the last of this type of soiree in
the South Bay, judging by the reaction of the guests who attended the
festive affair. The artists, too, were extremely pleased with the new
programs Kerri designed.
Painter Eric Rider came to the
gala as the guest of Kathy Aoki (one of the Collection 2004)
artists. He is known in California for his provocative, colorful
paintings. He works at The Alameda Art Works where he met Kathy two
years ago.
“I’m pretty impressed with
what they’ve been doing this year,” said Eric. “They done a lot
of really interesting stuff,” Eric says. He feels the gala and other
programs are needed to boost the visual arts in the South Bay. He's
done previous open studios in San Jose before but he missed the
deadline last fall for 2004. Eric was pleased with the positive
response to Kathy’s artwork and the gala, and he admitted he felt a
little guilty for not participating this year. But there is always next
year.
thy Aoki, impressed by the
sophisticated event, remarked on how she enjoyed being among such an
enthusiastic gathering of art patrons and artists. Juror Daniel Keegan,
executive director of the San Jose Museum of Art, chose her Teddy
Harvest image to be auctioned to the sole benefit of the San Jose
Museum of Art; this artwork was also etched upon the commemorative
magnum wine bottle, which was available for bid at the live auction.
Making my rounds inside the
crowded building, I bumped into Brenda Mills, another Collection
2004 artist and her husband Ken. Her piece, Quiet Turbulence
was up for live auction. “I’m having a great time. Everybody looks
great . . . the food is great, what a fun celebration. I think they’ve
(SVOS) done a great job.” She plans to return next year for open
studios because it has been such a good experience for her. The
hallways were festooned with the Star artists’ paintings, sculptures,
photographs and drawings.
Standing at one of the tables
laden with hor d’ oeuvres, I take in the sight of people schmoozing
with one another, listening to live jazz while sipping white wine or
sampling a tasty veggie roll. Then it was time for the live auction to
begin.
A volunteer asked me to report
to the Wendel room where the live auction would take place. I was among
several runners displaying the Collection 2004 art before the
standing-room only crowd. While the auctioneer, David Reynolds
described the selected piece, I would stand near him and hold the piece
above my head in my best Vanna White impression. The runners took turns
showcasing the art throughout the auction.
The bidding commenced with
David’s distinctive British flair. Kathy Aoki’s Teddy Harvest, Right
On Schedule and West Sorting Station took the auction by
storm. All three pieces sold, and the proceeds were divided between the
artist and SVOS. Hung-Tsu Chen’s Adam’s Ponder, found a home
with art patron Anthony Wright. His friend, Krisztina Kis Halas said
Anthony saw himself in the drawing, which is why he purchased it. Both
Krisztina and Anthony enjoyed the gala and the live auction.
Therese May’s quilt Tulip
sold, as did Kerri Lawnsby’s Bird Bath In Roses II, Carolyn
Shaw’s Grand View, Ellen Vogel's Earth Prayer and Dewey
Garrett’s Red Truncation. As for the silent auction--seventeen
pieces sold. For a complete listing, please inquire here: SVOS2004@yahoo.com.
San Jose Vice Mayor Patricia Dando and
Denelle Fedor, her legislative assistant, attended the gala. At the
conclusion of the live auction, Denelle shared her thoughts with the
attendees about how impressed the vice mayor and she were with Kerri’s
leadership, organization and the SVOS team’s efforts. From every
indication, San Jose will be a city that intends to continue supporting
more art programs such as SVOS.
Time and time again individuals from all over
the Bay Area and the surrounding vicinities tell me how the visual arts
and the people who make it are priceless. The art – and creation of it
– is something nobody should take for granted.
ARTISTS IN MORGAN HILL HAVE A
NEW VENUE FOR
OPEN STUDIOS
By Patti Linder-Dodd
Bringing artists together in
the charming, quaint town of Morgan Hill has never been so easy.
Especially since Daryl Manning, Art Specialist for the city has made it
her mission to introduce local and not so local artists to the area and
Silicon Valley. The vehicle that makes this possible is the new Morgan
Hill Community and Cultural Center. The Center just completed eighteen
months ago, stands prominently on the corner of Monterey Road and East
Dunne near downtown and is one of this year’s group sites for Silicon
Valley Open Studios (SVOS). With this new facility, Daryl Manning is
hopeful in its ability to increase public awareness of the large
artistic community in the South Valley.
During the weekend of May
1st and 2nd, visitors can meet nineteen local artists exhibiting their
work in the community center’s towering rotunda--the El Toro room.
Weather permitting, artwork will be on display out in the expansive
patio near the water fountain. Art enthusiasts can stroll along the
glass paneled sunlit walkways with its wide horizontal wooden plains
specifically designed to hang a variety of artwork.
The participating artists
will exhibit their unique creations in a multitude of mediums,
including drawing, painting, sculptures, ceramics, fiber, textiles,
jewelry, assemblage, photography, glass, digital, and printmaking. Many
have been inspired by the beauty surrounding Morgan Hill. From the
linear crop lines of agricultural fields to the warmth of the
California foothills, artists twist and tweak these images to
communicate their own visual voice.
Here are a few artists you
will enjoy visiting:
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Fish and more fish--in
every shape, size, and color. As you pick up and examine these amusing
items, don’t forget to turn them over, for there is where you’ll find
their name. Ceramicist Shelley Hanes, their creator says bringing humor
and a smile to people is all she hopes for as she gives life to each
fish. Since she hand shapes every piece, they truly take on lives of
their own with a swish of a tail this way or a stripe of color that
way.
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If fish don’t float your
boat, maybe wood will. Don Jensen calls himself a "Wood Alchemist," one
visit through his living room, soon to be gallery, and it is apparent
he turns ordinary wood into valuable artworks. However, there is
nothing magical in the transformation; each piece is well thought- out
with a specific concept in mind. Starting with the tree itself, Don
mills his own lumber to meet the specifications of each project. Then
by carving, shaping and blending woods, often incorporating glass,
metal or stone, he produces works with artist merit. You'll find Don's
work exhibited in his home just behind the community center.
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As in the case of
Photographer Anita Kell Mason--amazing things happen out of shear
boredom. At least that's what inspired her, a Morgan Hill native, to
pick up a camera twelve years ago and began looking at the world
(nature and wildlife) in a whole new frame. With the aid of her camera,
Anita captures the warm color spectrum in her lens of far off lands,
which is anything but boring! She will display these exotic landscapes
and animals at the open studio as well as photos from her latest
adventure in Page, Arizona. Early next year, Anita's camera will take
her to Tanzania.
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Back in the United
States, CJ Myers remembers always being an artist. Unfortunately, her
aunt thought otherwise. Especially since it was her aunt’s walls, where
CJ as a child, expressed her love of art. CJ majored in painting in
school, but as a single mother, found herself turning to pastels
because of their ease of use. Now, over thirty years later, CJ’s
pastels can be found in local galleries and museum exhibitions. Her
work has also been published in pastel journals.
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From finance to fine art
seems to be a natural direction for Theresa Wayne. Theresa started out
drawing portraits in pencil. Now, she creates detailed landscapes,
still lives and figures in oils or acrylics. Painting detailed realism
is what gives her true satisfaction. She loves it when the painting
seems to jump off the canvas. Recently, Theresa has been exploring a
freer and looser painting style she hopes will offer broader financial
market appeal.
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Angie Young works from
her never tiring imagination. Whether it’s making 3D art using a
variety of materials such as gourds, clay, metal, sheet rock and wood,
or brightly painted canvases with their surreal quality; she looks like
she enjoys every minute. Maybe starting out as a cartoonist may have
something to do with it. Lately, however, Angie is developing her fine
art skills, through attending outdoor painting workshops. She is
perfecting her mechanical ability in order to achieve a higher quality
to her eclectic style. Visitors can expect to see works varying from
the enchanting countryside to comically whimsical sculptures.
Other SVOS artists
showcasing at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center are Carole
Belliveau, Sheri Chakamian, Renee Filice, Mary Hiller, Jon Thomas
Keegan, Gerry Kuehn, Suzanne Perry, Marge Regan, Robert Rosalez, Steve
Soult, Mrs, Mrs. Stanford, Satu Vitanen. Participants displaying
artwork at their own studios are Bob Freimark, Don Jensen and John
Hughes.
Each artist at this venue is
unique at expressing themselves, yet one message is abundantly clear;
Morgan Hill is rich in inspiration and having the opportunity to share
this with others gives them great pride.
PACIFIC ART LEAGUE: SPECIALISTS
IN VISUAL TALENT
By Angie Young
The Pacific Art League will be
opening its doors on the first weekend of May as part of Silicon Valley
Open Studios tours. A gathering place for artists of all ages and
abilities, the League exhibits art for the enjoyment of art lovers
everywhere. Nestled in the heart of downtown Palo Alto is the
headquarters and training ground for them. The members of amateur and
professional artists not only produce high-quality art, but some teach
their time-tested principals as well.
The Pacific Art League is
located at 668 Ramona Street near University Avenue in the city of Palo
Alto. The organization was founded in 1921 as the Palo Alto Art Club,
and its members worked together, talking and critiquing each other’s
art. Many well-known artists such as nationally famous Phimister
Proctor and Elizabeth Norton were members, a reminder that great things
can begin in our own backyard. The venue and name changed in 1984 and
the organization now resides in the 7500 square-foot building in
downtown Palo Alto on Ramona. This building houses studios, classrooms,
office space, and galleries.
Claudia Morgan is the Executive
Director of Pacific Art League, which – in addition to providing
workspace and camaraderie for artists – offers classes, exhibition
opportunities, events, and outreach to the community. One such outreach
program is a traveling art therapy course offered under the auspices of
Kara (a center devoted to supporting individuals in difficult
situations). Through this program, an art therapist travels to children
struggling with a death or major illness in the family and provides
therapeutic art services. The Art League trains adults and gives
support material to those in similar agencies to continue the lasting
benefits of art to disadvantaged children.
Another event the League hosts
is the Palo Alto Art Walk from 6-9 on the first Friday night of every
month; this includes galleries and cafes around University Avenue
within close proximity to one another. Lastly, a great event to attend
this year is Off The Wall, on June 5, which is an annual fundraising
event and silent auction of more than 80 original works donated by the
members of the Pacific Art League. The zany-themed affair features
music, food and wine.
One of the premier artists,
Werner Glinka, joined Pacific Art League three years ago. He
specializes in mixed media, combining sleek, wooden panels with natural
fibers in his Visual Mantras series. The series might make
viewers think of a collision between the industrial revolution and
nature presented in an abstract collage. It is most delightful to study
and view Werner’s pieces; no wonder his works have found homes in many
galleries in the San Francisco Bay Area. Werner is looking forward to
SVOS and is quite comfortable speaking with the public about his work
and Pacific Art League. He has high regard for director Claudia Morgan
and his fellow artists for making this art venue a place to be for
established and up-and-coming artists.
Another enterprising artist at
Pacific Art League is Steve Curl. He came on board twelve years ago. He
started out as a cartoonist, and encountered his first art critic when
he was a kid in elementary school. He drew someone and subsequently
found himself stuffed into a locker by the disapproving student.
Decades later, he draws editorial cartoons for the Palo Alto Weekly and
Palo Alto Daily and creates caricature sketches for corporations. That
is how I met him in 2001 at a high-rise office building in San Jose. He
drew a pretty good picture of me on the spot, and I have kept the
illustration ever since. Not only does Steve draw cartoons--something
he considers a cerebral art form--but he also does outdoor painting. He
loves watercolors and camping, and – merging these two passions – he
features the result of his romance with plein air paintings at the open
studios event this May 1st and 2nd. Steve teaches three watercolor
classes and an outdoor sketching on location class.
Other creative forces within
the League who are participating at SVOS this year include Gary
Coleman, oil painter; Helen Ju, Sculptor; Susan Prather, photographer;
Roland Ralston, illustrator; and Pete Zivkov, photographer.
They, together with Claudia
Morgan and rest of the League’s entire membership, work to uphold its
mission to enrich the lives of their communities by promoting the
enjoyment, understanding, and creation of art, and to make art a part
of the fabric of society. In that light, it’s easy to see why they’ve
been around for 83 years.
For Pacific Art League’s course
descriptions and schedules, visit their website: www.pacificartleague.com.
NOT JUST SUNDAY ARTISTS: The
Alameda Art Works Studios Opens Its Doors
By Saaba MBB Lutzeler
When visitors first enter
Alameda Art Works – the roller-rink turned art studios – they are
invariably wowed. “It’s so clean,” one woman remarked. “It’s so open,”
said another, the click-clonk of her footsteps reverberating above the
wood floor, throughout the gallery-setting hallway, and up into the
insulated rafters. White light swathes the twenty studios from
skylights overhead, and music drifts unhindered beyond the twelve-foot
partial walls.
Not surprisingly, given the
building’s welcoming, bright, and well-maintained condition, owner and
art enthusiast Falko Forbrich, keeps a year-round waiting list to rent
out his studios. Forbrich purchased the building in 1991 and within a
year, constructed all the varying sized workspaces. Some are rented as
single studios, while others are shared. The result is a galvanized and
creative community, its members regularly sharing critiques and
coffees, tools and tips, models and meals, props and prospects.
On any given day, as many
as ten of the building’s thirty artists can be found working in media
ranging from oil, acrylic, and pastel to prints, installations, and
polymer clay. The subjects of this work are even more varied than the
media in which it is made, including urban scenes with crossing
power-lines, window reflections, and clothes hanging limply on a
string; snippets of sky with an airplane’s streak silently crossing the
composition; emotive figures placed on fields of painterly color;
conceptual works playfully questioning gender-roles; whimsical
creatures; flowers; landscapes; traditional portraits; and stylized
faces.
“We’re not just Sunday
artists,” explains one Alameda painter. “While it’s true that many here
have additional professions, we all take our art seriously and make a
point to work in the studio as often as possible.” While many artists
pursue jobs alongside their art, including design, social work and art
instruction to name but a few, the commitment and creative talent of
the Art Works gang is once again prominently displayed: three are Collection
2004 artists, five were awarded SVOS Stars, and virtually
all exhibit their work regularly throughout the Bay Area.
Historically, the Alameda
Art Works studios have garnered large turnouts for SVOS, and its
artists say this year will be no exception. “One great thing about the
Alameda Art Works,” said an artist and regular SVOS participant, “is
that virtually all the artists here are committed to the event, so
visitors are always treated to a full house!”
Situated near the corner of
The Alameda and Race Street, behind the Recycle Book Store, and
conveniently across the street from numerous cafes and eateries, the
Alameda Art Works studios are sure to be a big hit this May. The
building is wheel chair accessible, family-friendly, and has free
parking. It will be a fun place for the casual viewer and an exciting
opportunity for art collectors big and small.
A chance to see how art is
made: Demonstrations for May 1-2
By Kerri Lawnsby, Executive
Director
Our artists are proud of
their artwork--and they want you to be excited about visual art as
well! Many artists have volunteered to show you how they do what they
do---so look below for a list of demonstrations taking place this
coming weekend -- May 1-2 -- near you!
Campbell
Los Gatos
Morgan Hill
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Oil Painting with Therese Wayne
Contact Daryl Manning for details at blkk915@yahoo.com
or 408-782-0008
Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, Morgan
Hill 95037
Map to Studio
Artist Page
Scotts Valley
San Jose
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Portrait Painting with Chuck Yokota
Saturday 11am-1pm (2hours start to finish)
420 Kiely Boulevard, San Jose 95117
Map to Studio
Artist Page
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Clay/wheel-throwing;
sculpture/modeling in clay; clay/hand building; jewelry; collage
Artists: Judith Enright, Jan Hawkins, Alison Pangburn, Kathleen Wade, Devora Wienapple
Saturday 12pm-3pm
2213 Radio Avenue, San Jose 95125
Map to Studio
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Chinese Brush Painting with Ming-Shu
Franz
Saturday 3-4pm
1753 Valpico Drive, San Jose 95124
Map to Studio
Artist Page
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Live Model Sculpture with Gary Oblock
Saturday 3pm
2769 Rebeiro Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Map to Studio
Artist Page
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Pastel Drawing with Kerri Lawnsby
Saturday 4-5pm
Sunday 12pm-1pm
948 Emory Street, San Jose 95126
Map to Studio
Artist Page
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Papermaking with Lise Poulsen
Sunday 1pm-2pm
Audience can participate/20 min.
5445 Club Drive, San Jose 95127
Map to Studio
Artist Page
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Oil Painting and Ceramic Sculpture
with Amy Brown
Sunday 2pm-3pm
1215 Mildred Avenue, San Jose 95125
Map to Studio
Artist Page
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Glass Blowing at the Bay Area Glass
Institute
Contact Karen Kwan for times at studio@bagi.org
or 408-993-2244
401 East Taylor Street, Suite 115, San Jose 95112
Map to Studio
Artist Page
Sunnyvale
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Gala Opening
Benefit Auction: An Evening of Art at the San Jose Museum of Art
