ArtView
By Jim Christiansen
Showcases, Open Studios, dinner and a movie with an Art Walk Passport starts us Art View in April. The Central California Art Showcase opens April First, at both Carnegie Art Center and Mistlin Gallery. At deadline, the awards had yet to be announced, so you might have to plan your April First evening around two receptions and show openings in this combined gallery show. During the run, Mistlin Gallery is planning extended hours, and the show will be up until May 27, so that includes two Art Walks, and at both show venues as part of the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio Tour. 150 pieces were selected from 338 entries. 76 artists have pieces in the show, and are represented regionally from Altaville, Atwater, Ceres, Chinese Camp, Fairfax, Galt, Groveland, Hughson, La Grange, Livermore, Mariposa, Merced, Mi Wuk Village, Modesto, Murphys, Oakdale, Oakhurst, Palo Alto, Ripon, San Leandro, Saratoga, Stockton, Tracy Turlock and Waterford. This is the Third Year for this showcase in this format.
Eighty-one artists Open their Studios April 23 and 24 for the Sixth Annual Stanislaus Artist Open Studio weekend. Maps are on sale for $10, and students 18 and under get in FREE with a map holder. If you know a participating artist, they have maps, but you can also buy them at Crow Trading Company, Mistlin Gallery, The Artists Loft, Chartreuse Muse, Oakdale Chamber of Commerce, Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau, and in Turlock at Carnegie Art Center and the Art Space on Main. You can also get maps at the Open Studio preview show at Gallo Center April 15 and 16. This year, there are Six $200 gift certificates to be awarded patrons by drawing. Gift Certificates good for purchase with participating artists at one of the 43 venue locations on the map. Winners get the certificates ahead of the weekend to plan their shopping with a map, as drawings for three winners will take place at the conclusion of the April 16 preview night, and the remaining draws pulled at Mistlin Gallery during Art Walk. Get your maps early, as we were a sell out last year. If you need a map the day of the event, sales locations Carnegie Arts Center, Mistlin Gallery, Crow Trading, Art Space on Main and Artists Loft are open as venues for the studio tour. There will be plenty of demos, actual creative studios, shared spaces with multiple artists and multiple media. Much of the art is available to purchase. Tour includes stops in Turlock, Ceres, Escalon, Modesto and Oakdale. Quite a few new artists to the map this year, and we’ve expanded opportunities to selected high school artists, and the CSUS student artists at Art Space on Main. This is a chance to meet, and support, and acquire original art from working local artists.
The Lodi Art Association Spring Show opens April 15, with their annual fundraising Champagne Gala at the Mondavi Woodbridge Winery. Tickets $30 for opening reception and awards ceremonies. Free and open to the public at same location April 16 and 17. More information www.lodiartcenter.org Merced Art Hop is also April 16.
The Stanislaus Family Justice Center annual “Art of Justice” art show and fundraiser for the center and Art Restores Kids program, booked $4000.00 in sales of art produced for this year’s show at the first preview opening during March Art Walk. The main event took place March 23, and if you missed this worthy programs show, they post the art available online, and you might still get a bid in.
Finally, something new at Art Walk, where I didn’t get the memo, until Chartreuse Muse posted on Facebook just before opening. Downtown Modesto Third Thursday Art Walk, has added a Passport to fill out, get stamped at each venue, to enter a drawing for dinner and a movie for two, awarded each month. Passports available at each Art Walk location. New winners awarded every month. As the regular art column, we try and stay on top of information for our readers, but advisory to whoever sending out the press releases or getting the word out, our deadline is no later than the 20th of the month.
