Art View: Artful Showers
By Jim Christiansen
April showers us with Earth Day, Open Studio, Art Walk, and more. In my case, its time to build new walls around my new carport art studio. Having to move recently, I am showing my art at Moon and Sixpence for the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio April 6 and 7, with Anne Whitman. Aaron Rowan adding some music to the mix, and we are stop number 6, and first in the Modesto line up for the 2019 Open Studio weekend. Maps on sale for $10, 18 and under in free with adult, this is the annual self-guided tour of Stanislaus County artist studios, and partner venues, from Turlock, through Ceres and Modesto, out to Riverbank and Oakdale. 53 artists in all this year, 29 stops. Good to pick up a map in advance and plan your route. Each map lists the artist, sampling of their work. For those of you seeking maps the day of the event, Moon and Sixpence will have maps available. Nearby Artist Studio downtown is The Artist Loft with Nicole Slater. Art is for sale most locations, demonstrations and a chance to meet the artists outside the gallery setting. Enjoy Open Studio weekend and support local artists.
Third Thursday Art Walk is April 18. Check out the venues on the map and look for the artists on the 11th Street area, with music sponsored by Modesto View. The Carolyn Huff Photography and Gallery on K street always has a show, and Still Smoking hosts quite a number of artists for Art Walk. Tri-Chromatic Gallery has regular classes and Writer’s Workshop during the month, and always a display, often demonstrations during Art Walk.
Downtown Market is back with First Fridays, vendors in arts, crafts on the Tenth Street Art Block. Speaking of Fridays, check out the music offerings at Dragonfly Art for Life Gallery for their Friday night music series in the gallery. It is paint pour Saturdays at Dragonfly happening all Day. The Gallery is a membership working studio gallery.
Last month’s inaugural Grace Lieberman music cabaret series at Mistlin Gallery was a sold-out success. Look up their schedule on their new web page at https://ccaagallery.org/events-at-mistlin-gallery/ This month Mistlin. April, Mistlin will display a special Members up close and personal, “Meet the Artists.” For April. In May, Mistlin hosting an Open Show in May for members and nonmembers, “Flowers and Still Life.” Pick up prospectus at the gallery. Martin Cheek, British mosaic artists will present a demonstration and lecture 7 pm April 10, titled “Expose yourself to Art”
Silent auctions often feature art at fundraising events. The MoSt Poetry Center Annual Benefit at Barkin Dog Grill April 14, a good place to place your bid. Last 2 years I’ve picked up art from Brian Swander, Broadsides, and lost out on some other donations to the cause. 2 to 5 pm.
The Shire Community Center is still taking shape renovating their space on H. Donations welcome.
Coffee and Art? Picasso’s, Preservation Coffee, Deva, Queen Bean all show art on the walls, and long a part of the downtown Arts community.
