Art View: Summer Solstice
By Jim Christiansen
I am writing my column on the eve of the Summer Solstice. Summer is upon us. Working no this during the Covid19 virus season is not a bright and sunny task to find out who and what’s re-opening? what is scheduled, rescheduled, or online for our local artists and art fans? And when you do visit the galleries, art spaces, art classes, what’s new with them on current health guidelines. June ArtWalk was cancelled. Third Thursday is July 16, yet to be determined if it will take place in July. Check-in with your local artists or the Modesto View online calendar for updates on third Thursday Art Walk. www.modestoview.com
Barkin Dog Grill resumes the monthly rotation of Artists on the display panels. Amy Ana Soto is up on the Display boards at the start of this month. Valentino Alexander will be the featured artist for July, with his paintings hanging July 15. Picasso’s Art and Gourmet Deli has continued their outdoor art displays at 10th and J Streets. A bright spot in the art block, with great sandwiches. Deva Cafe is open for indoor dining, easier to see their walls festooned with local artist works.
The DragonflyArt for Life reopened their artist and gallery space June 12th. Pour painting, other activities and classes on-site available. Read the notice on the door, wait to become in at door, temperature check, hand sanitizer, social distance observed. Easy procedure. Online Dragonfly has been open with ZoomClasses, workshops. Patrick Barr told me how they rigged two cameras, as Patrick draws, and tablet to interact with students. www.thedragonflylifeforart.com Zoom classes in some form may also be offered by Mistlin Gallery www.ccaagallery.org, Chartreuse Muse, Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock.
Summer classes at Chartreuse Muse have started. www.TheChartreuseMuse.com Students are limited spaces, observing social distancing. The new PeerRecovery Art Project/JB Presents is just down Tenth Street in the former Mrs Beckle’s Candy locations held a soft opening June 10. Reception low key, but well attended, RobHill at the Piano, art by local artists on the walls, including two of mine. John Black presiding with a mask on.
June was the one-year anniversary for MoConMat, the Modesto Conservatory of Music, Art and Theater. Founded by artist Kaila Kindley, the center located on Tenth and E Street, is a membership artists space, for music, video and film production, music performance, art exhibitions, theatre. This is a green screen and recording studio creative space. Artists stop in this corner of town and check out what they have to offer.
MistlinGallery opens this month, July 2, with their Women in America: A 100-year celebration of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment. Show exhibits Art and Poetry related to the suffrage Movement and 19th amendment, Women’s Accomplishments, and Americana. Scheduled with this show is an All Ages, Women in America Art Camp July 6 to 10. This is scheduled on Zoom; registration ends July 1. Tickets sold via Eventbrite TheMistlin Gallery hours are reduced and will be open Thursday through Saturday.
Found in June, the LOVE mural on the back wall behind The Brighter Side facing Wells Fargo parking lot 13th and K. Sign of the times. I resumed life drawing recently in a gallery that had not been open for months, a scattered physically distanced artists in masks, drawing a model in a mask.
