Art View by Jim Christiansen
Stanislaus Artist Open Studio map booklets go on sale March 1. The third annual event features 57 artists in 35 studio venues all around the county. Maps are $10 with Students under 18 Free, and available at the March 2nd Acoustic Rock Society Art and Music of Our Own at Center Stage Conservatory lower level studio. They are also available at local galleries all month up until tour weekend, and the free Open Studio preview show at Gallo Center April 4. Open Studio Tour weekend is April 6 and 7. For more information check the web site stanislausaos.wordpress.com The maps include a form to enter a drawing to win one of the five available purchase prize award winners, each an original piece of art by a local artist on the tour. You must submit the form into a collection box at one of the artist studios to be in the drawing. The Purchase Prize pieces and sampling from all 57 artists will be on display at the Preview Show at Gallo Center 10am to 6 pm.
The Annual Central California Art Association Spring Show at Mistlin Gallery has a call for entries due March 9. Entry open to all artists, at $10 entry for members, $15 non members in five categories. Mistlin Gallery is currently showing an invitational ceramics and glass show with the Almond Blossoms members show. Next show coming up is Shades of Gray, limited to works in black and white media, offset by a pastel show by artists Carole David and Dierdre Wolfey.
Next door at the Building Imagination Center, is the “History of Stickers” show organized by Modesto Art Museum. Chartreuse Muse “Art of Tea” show ends March 23, with a featured Tea Ceremony at 3 pm with a bay area Tea Master who is also one of the featured artists. Jack Morris, who organizes the Chartreuse Muse life drawing group, won “Best of Show” in the recent Tracy Art League “Expressions” annual show. Jack can often be found every other Saturday as announced, in the upstairs gallery at the Muse, 10 am to 1 pm, collecting the $10 for the three hour model sessions.
Third Thursday Art Walk is now in its Tenth year, so pick up a new map. Check the “Artists of Modesto” facebook page for any off the map spots open Art Walk night, as I post them as I hear of them. Linda Knoll was set up in February at The Sand Bar, where she has also painted the murals. My own sharpie mural at Tresetti’s took on a 3-d and interactive aspect, as staff decorated it with masks for Fat Tuesday, much to my delight and surprise, as it worked. Café Bliss in Oakdale has a sharpie art show this month. Our thanks to Matty Comer for organizing the Acoustic Rock Society Art and Music of Our Own expo at Center Stage Conservatory lower level studio. For future reference to patrons, it is the basement level of the same building as the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, now marked by the new mural by Aaron Vickery
