What’s Coming Up in Art View?
By Jim Christiansen
Art in Modesto…. What’s coming, and what would I like to see? Our listings and artists on display change, but often the venues the same. So what’s new?
I want to see Chelsea Torres Addison Bavaro’s solo show of her paintings at MJC Art Gallery. Title is “Homebody.” Jan 10 to Feb 2. This is likely the biggest show of Chelsea America’s work to date, and I hope more people than usual show up at the MJC Gallery. I’d like MJC Gallery to send more advance notice on the shows there to get the word out. Rumors in downtown include a new gallery up on J Street by local artists, and a new spot of Art & Wine events near 16th and J. I hope both come to pass.
Third Thursday Art Walk comes up January 19. Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock will have a new show schedule, as will CSUS student gallery Art Spot on Main. So stay tuned!
Next month, we’ll see the kind of arts initiative I like. Big. The “Foto Exhibition” up the entire month, all over downtown Modesto, will feature 22 photographers, of many genres. Art Walk is great, but it’s nice to see art viewable and celebrated more than a single night a month. The scale of this exhibition puts the visual art scene front and center. Thank you to the organizer Dave Schroeder.
Stanislaus Artist Open Studio 2017 has a new preview show format, at Mistlin Gallery for three days and after hours after 5 pm, March 27, 28, 29. New Artists should consider being on the map for the April 22 and 23 Open Studio format. Final Deadline to enter is January 15. Email openstudio.stanislaus@gmail.com for more info.
It’s good to get out of town to explore art; you may run into your 209 artists when you do. Quite a few area artists show out of town, regionally and nationally. Chella Gonsalves is one, picked to show in a Women in Art exhibition in NYC. Save plane fare and see her show at Trewin Framery through January 6. Rhett Owings recently won an award from the Arts Council of Monterey County. Fabric Artist Sue Siefkin has shown recently in Pacific Northwest. The Heart of the Valley Quilt Show takes place at Centre Plaza, January 21 and 22.
In 2017, shop local artists to display at home, in the office, for gifts. Check out the many creative spots in town and see if they connect with you. Look around.
