Art View By Jim Christiansen
I’d like to thank all of you brave souls who showed up at my converted 1930s garage/studio during Stanislaus Artist Open Studio. While a more manageable turnout for me, as it seems many of my friends took the suggestion to see other artists. I got to meet new artists, Facebook friends and Modesto View readers I don’t know well enough. I found some new homes for some of my work, and pretty much show off where I store the materials, frames, and rather large portfolio about 40 or so years in the making. One thing we remind people, this is a Travel and Tourism Roundtable initiative. The maps have the contact information, addresses to look artists up to visit again, or request invitation beyond our once a year Open Studio Weekend. My first guests were new journalists John Griswold and David Schroeder working on feature for their new arts magazine venture. Look for it to release soon.
Brian Swander got to tour the map this year, on that classic bike he rides, and has suggested we organize a bike ride within the tour map area. I had quite a few bicyclists in attendance besides Swander, who was demonstrating his new bike easel to Bob Barzan at my house that suits Brian’s drawing stints at Farmers Market. I mention Bob, who is director of Modesto Art Museum, as they have the new Design District coming up this month, and competition for bike rack installations. And with Amgen Tour history, and Ride for Mom coming up this month, where I have shown in past, bikes are Modesto too. Valentino Alexander, was another artist who rode a bicycle to my house. AOS is thinking transportation. My house is one of the studios actually at a bus stop. If Brian opens the studio next year, consider him the course master and start at Rue de Yoe.
Since we are appealing to tourists, not just our local fans, the addition of Acoustic Rock Society’s Art and Music event at Center Stage Lower Level Theater, and Patterson Art and Wine Gala benefit for Patterson Repertory Theater, have been welcome additions, for those visiting the area on an art, entertainment weekend, with something to do our Arts friends excel at. Add that as reason to spend the night and join us on Sunday. I had visitors from Canada, Netherlands, Santa Cruz and Bay area among guests Maybe we add a motel package for 2015.
The combined Spring shows at Carnegie Arts Center and the Mistlin Gallery showing during Open Studio benefitted the weekend stay idea as well. Both galleries displayed well, in a strong show in both locations, with the side benefit of public display of the studio and education work areas. Central California Art Showcase first year worked out pretty well, despite some problem issues in short notification sure to be fixed next time out. The combined shows run through May 11.
Next show at Mistlin will be themed on American Grafitti opening June 1. I will miss the summer events opening as I will be showing art, enjoying music, the powwow, Merced River Fair, Adamantine Belly Dancers, at the Riverdance Farms tenth Annual Pick and Gather Festival in Livingston. Poorhouse Millionaires, Cottonwood Creek, Tim Lechuga on sitar, bluegrass locals Frank Solivan Band, and other friends in the region, at the organic U-Pick cherries and blueberries event you shouldn’t miss. It is unique. May 31, June 1 and camping is $15, admission Saturday $10, students and seniors $5, Sunday its $5 and student, senior rate $2. Kayaks, farm tours, art and crafters, food, hay bales, kids’ area, workshops and a lot of fun. www.riverdancefarms.com<http://www.riverdancefarms.com> and if I can squeeze it in, Respect on the River two weeks earlier. Third Thursday Art Walk is May 15.
