Art View: New Year New View
By Jim Christiansen
Happy New Year. We go into 2024 with new resolutions, new activities, and changes to some longstanding traditions. Here is some of what is coming up in the Modesto Art Scene in the coming year.
January 28 is the last day to enter the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio weekend April 13 and 14. 2024 the Open Studio reverts to one weekend event, back to the original Spring April outing. Entry is open to any artist in all mediums in Stanislaus County with the $75 entry fee. Maps will be free again this year, and available online and in print. Participating artists can enter the Map Cover contest, with a $250 prize to the winning design, with the finalist image used on the cover and promotional graphics. Pick up an entry form at the Mistlin Gallery or order digital files for entry and cover contest at openstudio.stanislaus@gmail.com Keep up with Stanislaus Artist Open Studio on the FB page. 2024 will not hold a Fall-October event.
“Single Exposure” showcases the vibrant and thought-provoking creations of Don Hall in a Solo show. Don’s colorful large-scale self-portraits in paintings and ceramic sculptures will be featured. The artist reception will take place on January 18 during the Art Walk. The gallery exhibit run is from January 2 to 28.
The Downtown Modesto Art Walk will continue monthly, every Third Thursday in 2024. On the January scheduled map, Mistlin Gallery, The Chartreuse Muse, Lo-Fi Cocktails, Dragonfly Art for Life, The State Theatre, 18Seventy Brewing Company. Look for expanded venues, and added activities in the coming year with Art Walk.
The Stanislaus Arts Council is making some changes in 2024. The Arts Council is doing business operating the Mistlin Gallery, and Central California Art Association, and its activities range beyond the visual arts and are involved in different arts activities across the county. Dominique Johnson has been hired to be Executive Director for the Arts Council, succeeding David Schroeder who is stepping down from the position, but will remain on the board as Vice President. Keith Boggs is the President.
Dominique is an artist and gallery member, who comes with a Business Administration and Marketing degree from CSU Stanislaus. Her first undertaking as the new Director will be an emphasis on Fundraising and greater visibility of the Arts Council in the community. A meet Dominique Johnson event will be part of the January Mistlin Gallery members meeting on January 29. Liz Perez is a new gallery marketing volunteer, from the Cancer Survivor classes, who wants to give back to the art community using her career skills in Marketing, Sales, and Interior Design, starting with new displays in the windows.
The Arts Council is tentatively scheduled for 11 dates in 2024 for the Grace Lieberman Cabaret series. The two project international photography projects will be featured next month. The Arts Council also supervises the Heartland Grant projects locally and featured lately on the “Expose Yourself to Art” Facebook Live and YouTube online shows.
2024 is also a new year of Art Classes at The Chartreuse Muse and its Clay Room. Dragonfly Art for Life recently held 4 class sessions in animation. MJC regular and adult extension classes are coming up in a variety of media. Good resolution or give yourself the experience of artistic expression
If you were late on Christmas gifts for the New Year, my Coffee Cat Calendars, mugs, and more are available for all of 2024 at Coffeecatscalendar.com The year ahead looks great.
