Art View By Jim Christiansen
Going into 2014, I find I am in my seventh year writing on Art in Modesto View, give or take our print hiatus. At the end of this past year, I find more people recognize me on the street or at events, from the photo usually on page seven, and the art I’ve got up around town. My photo is still posted in large format on Tenth Street. People ask me to add them to the Tresetti’s sharpie bar mural. The Barkin’ Dog hallway gallery is getting noticed and more people visit my Tuesday 2 to 5 docent shift at Mistlin Gallery. Crow Trading’s display of my work in the window has really generated the comments, and that keeps me in the Modesto public eye at least, and the column helps me let others know of my artist friends in the area, and the events we have in the Modesto Art Scene.
January brings on the New Year Resolutions, and mine is to work out an out of town solo show in October for my birthday. In order to get to that, I first have to clean out the garage artwork area and be ready for Open Studio coming up in April, and get several columns done for Modesto View. After that, it is work on the signs and set up for the Riverdance Farms Pick and Gather Festival May 31 and June 1. Then I take the summer to frame what parts of the portfolio I plan to show in the Fall. Would be nice to add a trip to Boston and East Coast to visit my brother the Grandmaster chess player, and see where some of my art and cartoons hang outside Modesto.
The first thing for Art in my New Year, is hanging out with friends in art and music here in town. Acoustic Rock Society sets up shop at the Center Stage Conservatory Lower Level Studio Art and Music show. Doors open at 6 pm, music starts at 7 pm. Featured Visual Artists, Jen Coffey, Mark Holden, Nadine Barret, Kristy Tribuzio and Jim Christiansen. Featured musicians: The Dust Bowl Children, Tony Trevino and Stage Coach Drifters, The Old Refrain, and featuring Tiffany Rose. All Ages show.
After that is the Third Thursday Art Walk, January 16. This event happens every month, so come on downtown and check it out. The Art Walk is Free, All-ages and each venue changes up their show of local art each month. www.modestoartwalk.com<http://www.modestoartwalk.com> The Mistlin Gallery will be closed for renovations until January 20, and will reopen with the Art in the Family show.
Update on the 2014 Stanislaus County Artists Open Studio weekend is 50 plus artists participating. Preview show is March 14 at Gallo Center during the Modesto Pops concert. 6 pm. The Open Studio event itself is April 12 and 13.
The Central California Art Association at Mistlin Gallery presents Art in the Family Show from January 21 – February 28. Art in the Family will display and celebrate the sharing of skills within families and across generations. Multi- generational family groups will display arts such as stained glass windows, paintings and children’s art. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday from 11:30 to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free and parking is validated at the 11th Street parking garage. Central California Art Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the visual arts, art education and providing cultural opportunities for the community. The Mistlin Gallery is located at 1015 J Street, Modesto, CA, 95354, phone 209-529-3369. Web site is www.ccartassn.org<http://www.ccartassn.org/>
