Art View – August 2018
By Jim Christiansen
I hope Hot August Nights aren’t as hot as July Art Walk. But rain or shine, downtown Third Thursday Art Walk goes on. In case you missed it, there is some carryover into August for show openings you might missed. First one to close is the Celebration of Fiber Arts at the Mistlin Gallery, with the Country Crossroads Quilters. This impressive collection of art quilts, sewn constructions, small to large closes August 3. Over at the Chartreuse Muse, the Emergence Show has opened. Geared to new and emerging artists, I got to see some new stuff from artists I didn’t know. On exhibition at The Muse through August are: Kolaya Wilson, Taylor Berchtold, Rachael Payne, Nikki Dettinger, Sharon Bear, Kathy Tuchalski, Robert Merritt, Victoria Hardy, Morgan Andre, Laura Webb, Dottie Lo Bue, Melissa Stabi, Cynthia Biles, and Neko McDaniel. It was a crowded reception for Art Walk, but I look forward to returning before end of the month.
I spent some time Wednesday before Art Walk hanging 5 large paintings by Chella Gonsalves at Barkin Dog. 5 large paintings. Walking by during the start of the art walk usual Thursday Jam, I found Chella in the patio sun greeting patrons in for art and music. Across the street, on the shady side of 11th at Tim Allen sweating at the piano, with the side walk filled with artists and art from Tresetti’s to Preservation Coffee. About that time, I’d faded in the heat and missed the artists at Still Smoking, and a very good show at the Carolyn Huff Gallery, 13th and K., Huff features Rick Ingraham and Vince Welsh on display through August. Hope to drop in August 16th Art Walk night to check that one out. Artists seeking a place to display of their work, St Stan’s has an Open Call to Artists, any media for Art Walk nights. Drop in the venue, or email jill@ststans.com to get on the roster.
Potter, Don Hall, will share his experiences with the group Potters for Peace, who establish ceramic water filter factories in the developing world at the Mistlin Gallery quarterly meeting. Refreshments will be served starting 6:30 and program starts at 7 pm. August 14 opens the Autumn Art Festival III at the gallery. This is members juried show. Awards will be given at a CCAA fundraising gala on August 25 at the Mistlin Gallery. Gourmet food, wine and music are included in the $30 ticket, which can be purchased in the Mistlin Gallery at 1015 J Street Modesto, CA, phone 209-529-3369 or online www.ccaagallery.org The show can be visited free during Mistlin Gallery regular hours.
If that isn’t Hot enough, you can head down to Turlock for the Carnegie Art Showcase. Bill Harris won the Best of Show award for his watercolor, “The Laundromat.” It will be on view with the other showcase artists and award winners until the end of the Month. Awards of Excellence were given to Vickie Boese, Jack Morris, Donna Wayman-Maurer, Virginia White and Linda Abbott. Honorable Mentions went to Margarita Anderson, William Conrad, Dave Dolan, Barbara Gill and Nathaniel Oliviera.
