Art View: Hot August Art
By Jim Christiansen
Hot August Nights in the 209, a time of car shows, late summer cruising, kid’s art camps, heated Art Walk and pop-up Art and Crafter shows. Modesto lost a long-time supporter, and sometimes guerilla promoter of many of these fun community activities in Carman King. Otherwise known as Modesto Americana and always as the “angel lady” in her art jewelry and angel giveaway projects, she even reached out to foreign destinations. A unique, cheerful personality, I got talked into working many an event, or put up to some new project for over a decade, and will miss our friend very much. Many of you have her angel charms. Carman shared my Open Studio spot, and kid’s art contests, and got me to sit in parking lots with art, to support various crafter markets, and poster contests. Think of Carman as classic cars roll by.
In the spirit of car shows, the Kruse-Lucas Gallery at 525 Tully Road still has the Graffiti Summer Events and California Car Culture photographs of Rick Raef through the end of the month. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, just across from MJC. Rick Ingraham will be the featured artist there in September and October.
The 8th edition of the START or Stanislaus Art Magazine is in print, soon in the mail this month. Art magazine for kids and adults, with activities, and art news. Quite a bit of kid’s art in the publication.
The Magnolia Avenue Pop-Up Art Fair will be on August 13, 9 AM to 1 PM at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Mensinger Avenues in Modesto. Local artists on sale in the neighborhood community event.
Dragonfly Art for Life will host a Robots and Zombies watercolor class on August 20. Dragonfly, Lo-Fi, The Farmacy, E and E Studios, State Theatre, Bouquet Bar, Reform Pilates, Mistlin Gallery and The Chartreuse Muse are regulars for Third Thursday Art Walk. The third Thursday is August 18. Not part of Art Walk, but full of art, Jeff Moore and new artists are featured this month at Peer Recovery Art Project on Tenth Street.
Looking for new to be seen local artists check out the Chartreuse Muse Emergence Show, with quite a few names I did not recognize but loved this very strong show, worth seeing. If you can’t make it during hot daytime hours, check it out during the Art Walk. The show ends this month.
People, Places and Things is the current show at Mistlin Gallery, ending August 6. Best of Show winner is Emily Crimmel, “Don Replica” pen and ink drawing. A lot of interesting and good work in this show, with many new artists in the gallery. August 4 is the current deadline for the Annual Autumn Art Festival member’s show and fundraiser. I’m planning to enter. Meanwhile, stop by the gift shop area. I favor the coffee cats, but much to choose from, and supports the gallery and local artist members.
Shout out to artist friends Jonathan Troxler and Phil Murillo. Jonathan was honored to be a featured artist during the McHenry Museum 50th anniversary celebration. I got a couple of his photo-realism painting images on tee shirts I picked up at Art Skull. I missed the notice at the Museum last month. Phil is moving away from the 209 and will be sorely missed for the many public arts and personal projects he has done over the years.
