Art View
By Jim Christiansen
For the Love of Art, buy your Valentine original art from a local artist. Downtown Modesto Third Thursday Art Walk is February 18, so a reminder most of the art walk venues and area galleries feature original art for sale the rest of every month. Next month, look for a new Art Walk map starting in March. March 1 is also first day of Stanislaus Artist Open Studio map booklet sales, your guide and ticket to the Open Studio Weekend April 23 and 24. Maps are $10, and students 18 and under get in Free with a map holder. 75 artists on the map for 2016. The map booklet will be available to purchase at Mistlin Gallery, Carnegie Arts Center, Oakdale Chamber of Commerce and Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau. Other locations will be announced, or buy from a participating artist.
Mardi Gras is February 9, and this month I not only have the new bar painting for the February 6 Mardi Gras Party at Tresetti’s, but also three paintings in New Orleans itself at the Degas Gallery on Julia Street. It’s the closest I’ve gotten to spending Mardi Gras there, rather than our annual street celebration on 11th Street. I was contacted by the gallery after posting my art on my facebook page. February 6 is also the Artists Reception and awards ceremonies for Delicato Family Vineyards Art Show. I got honorable mentions for watercolors “Cocktail Cats” and “Vintage Wine Frogs”. Best of Show went to Gerald Boyd, for his pastel “Liam and the Butterfly.”
Many of our local artists will have entered the Tracy Art League Expressions Show. Artist Reception is February 12, with the public run for the show February 13 to February 20. Exhibited at the Tracy Community Center, 950 East Street in Tracy. February 27 is the last date to enter the Lodi Art Association Spring Fine Arts Show in April. Link to enter is www.lodiartcenter.org/current-exhibitionshow/
Entries are now being accepted for the third annual Central California Art Showcaseexhibition taking place this spring at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock and the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto. Deadline is February 21. Enter online via carnegieartsturlock.org
Last month I had hoped to fit in the City Parks recreation oil painting class taught by David Bienkowski. We missed this session, but David’s six class course will be repeated with sessions March 10 to April 14 at the Senior Center on Bodem Street. All skill levels welcome. Call (209) 577-5344 for supply list and more information.
Art Walk notes. Judith Levi-Wood “Design begins with Line” is currently hanging at Barking Dog and opened January Art Walk. Ron Coolidge will be the featured Artist at the Carolyn Huff Photographic Gallery. Mistlin Gallery will feature its members show, “Abstracts and Impressions.”
For the Love of Conversation, take a long look at the new downtown mural on wall at Ralston’s Goat originated by artist/attorney Martin Baker. “In memory of Rick Hernstedt and all the homeless who have died on the streets of Modesto. May they never be forgotten.”
