Open Studio and Closing Doors
By Jim Christiansen
Time for Stanislaus Artist Open Studio weekend. April 13 and 14, 49 Artists open 26 studio and home venues in Turlock, Hughson, Ceres, Modesto, Oakdale, and Knight’s Ferry. Meet the artists, see where they create, and buy some Art. Many of the artists teach classes, do demonstrations, and have information on the Art Scene. My studio is included on the alley as studio 8 on the map, with guest artist Krystle Lisek, coordinator of the Mistlin Gallery, with her photographs, art, and poetry. Join us for the annual Open Studio adventure in Art. I have printed maps, and there may be some available at the Mistlin Gallery. The event is FREE for all ages, with a free online map at www.stanislausaos.com. Plan your trip in advance. Maps include contact information for participating artists for future reference.
The Chartreuse Muse will be opening “A Shade of Green” from April 9 to May 31, a group show of long-time Muse artists. I am happy to be a part of this one, as owners Sandra Veneman and Ellen Roehne have announced their retirement as gallery owners/managers after 20 years and return to being professional full-time artists. Ellen and Sandy can then attend the Art Walk and other exhibitions as others do, and the timing of their announcement is that it is time, while the Chartreuse Muse experience is at the top of its game. The Muse will be making a follow-up sale in the months following this showing and will do a slow fade-out this summer. We wish them well. The Muse has been a stalwart anchor in the 209-art scene. A reception for “A Shade of Green” is scheduled for April 13.
DoMo First Friday opens the season on April 5 with a new layout that includes J Street for vendors, and handmade creators, artists. Mistlin Gallery will be open, so join the crowds from now until November. Downtown Modesto’s Third Thursday Art Walk announced it is New and Improved, with added venue partners, food and beverage offers, more spots for artists, and new ways to apply to be a participating venue, and for more artists, more opportunities to show art. Application is through the Tourism Bureau. Information form at the Stanislaus Arts Council/Mistlin Gallery with the QR codes straight to the application. Regulars to the Art Walk, Dragonfly Art for Life, Mistlin Gallery, Chartreuse Muse, and Return to Art Walk Peer Recovery Art Project are offering student classes, as is Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock. Look for the printmaker’s workshops popping up.
Judith Cochran still showing at Kruse Lucas Imports gallery on Tully Rd, just across from Modesto Junior College. Drop in on the MJC East Campus Art Gallery. Peer Recovery Art Project, partnering with SOMAR Presents will be hosting an All ages, FREE art, music, and car show event on Tenth Street on April 28.
The new show opening at Mistlin Gallery is “Celebration of Fiber Art,” which opens April 2 to May 3. My art is featured in the Mistlin gift shop area, so in some way, I am attending the “Beats, Ballads, & Bars: A Collaborative Spoken Word” in the gallery on April 6. Stanislausarts.org/mistlin-gallery Look for the Stanislaus Arts Council Gala Celebration of the Arts, on May 23; more information on that next month.
