Taxes. Baseball. Poppies defining the color orange. Easter.
Passover. Mustard waving to us as we drive by. Another reopening of
Bonfante Gardens. A teasing summer day on the West Coast. A
snowstorm on the East Coast. Could it be any clearer? Spring has
sprung.
Taxes. Baseball. Poppies defining the color orange. Easter. Passover. Mustard waving to us as we drive by. Another reopening of Bonfante Gardens. A teasing summer day on the West Coast. A snowstorm on the East Coast. Could it be any clearer? Spring has sprung.
Though the signs are subtle, the local cultural scene also has its seasons, and if it’s April and May, it must be time for two highlight visual arts experiences: Open Studios Tours, spanning several weekends and involving artists throughout the Bay Area, and Gilroy’s own Kids Discover Arts, a one-day, hands-on, messy-as-can-be art festival for children. The price for both these events should make your pocketbook break out in a hallelujah chorus – free.
Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is that the patient is still breathing, and South County artists are still represented in the Open Studios Tour. In fact, there has been a 600 percent increase in participation since last year!
The bad news is that only one artist from this area was listed in the 2002 catalogue, and though the jump in 2003 to six is an improvement, it hardly qualifies us as a cultural boomtown either. Artists from Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill have invited you in for a visit the weekend of May 17, but you can start the Open Studios Tour season next weekend by taking just a short trip down the street to one of the most scenic areas in California, San Benito County.
The renaming of this area’s tour to Silicon Valley Open Studios in 2000 presented a do-or-die choice to San Benito County artists, who, understandably, no longer felt represented by the organization. The decision to create a San Benito County Open Studios Tour and undertake an aggressive recruitment strategy has resulted in a program that is stronger than ever. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, more than 20 artists representing a wide range of media are looking forward to schmoozing with the public and showing how their work is created.
One of the advantages of writing a newspaper column is that it gives me some license to call, write, e-mail or, in other words, intrude upon the lives of total strangers and not be considered annoying. The responses I received to a random sampling of San Benito artists to my questions regarding the benefits of the open studios format were eloquent, articulate and passionate, so much so that I have decided to let the artists speak for themselves.
Jane Rekedal, Aromas, pottery: “The purpose of Open Studios is to give the artist and the public a chance to meet in a unique setting, one that used to be so private and removed from the rest of society that it kept artists separated from customers except in a formal way. The opportunity to come to artists’ studios gives the public a chance to see how art is created, how the artist works and how the artist thinks.” Jane works in stoneware, porcelain and earthenware and uses these different clays for different applications.
Steve Borelli, Hollister, landscape and scenic photography: “I feel that the purpose of Open Studios is to being inspiration to the common person in any way. … Every hard reality began with imagination and art is its rawest form.” Steve showcases his roots in his work, and the viewer will enjoy a scenic tour of San Benito County and the inland coastal range in all seasons.
Celia E. Erion, Aromas, jewelry, fiber and textiles: Celia considers Open Studios not only a unique opportunity for the public but also one for the artist as well. “For artists, it’s a chance to show off their ‘child,’ i.e. their work and studio. It’s fun to see how other artists set up their studio, to see if it’s fancy or just the back bedroom with a gooseneck lamp,” she said.
A weaver and spinner in natural fibers, Erion will display scarves, placemats and other items. Like many artists/craftspeople, she sometimes works in a second medium, in this case jewelry.
Gayle Sleznick, San Juan Bautista, watercolor, mixed media, pencil and ink: Gayle is one of the few who has taken part in Open Studios since its inception in San Benito County in 1991; she is a wealth of information about the movement’s history and purpose. Acknowledging that museums and galleries intimidate many people, Gayle lists many benefits for inviting the public into her studio, not the least of which is “it forces me to clean my studio. It also pushes me to finish pieces of work I might put aside. Artists are passionate about their work; Open Studios supports the arts and allows the artists to support each other.”
Briggs Latham, Hollister, photography. Briggs specializes in high-resolution digital photographs of landscapes, flowers and “things that we normally overlook.” Visiting his studio will be a two-for-one opportunity as his wife, a local crafter, will he hosting a boutique at the same time. For this artist, Open Studios “gives people the opportunity to interact with the artist and provide feedback. I believe that it gives local artists the opportunity to gain confidence in displaying their work.”
Susan Bradshaw, Aromas, polymer clay: Polymer is a man-made modeling material, and a polymer artist’s main tool is a pasta machine that is used to blend colors and role out uniform sheets. Susan will have on display small animal figurines, wall pieces and etched glass. She sums up the Open Studios experience perfectly.
“Go on a small explore. Go out see the country. Go out see the art. Try roads you have never seen before. Meet and talk with artists,” she said.
So throw away any preconceived notions about moody, anti-social artists toiling away in cold garrets and enjoy a wonderful day in San Benito County. With no middleman involved, this is a great opportunity to add to your art collection. Remember, the above artists are just a sampling of a much larger group. For more information or a catalogue, the tour information is available in the current issue of Out and About Magazine.
The response to my question regarding the appropriateness of Open Studios Tours for children was mixed, with some planning to offer demonstrations of interest to children and others stating that they are setting up their studio for adults. When making a decision as to whether to bring along children, I would take into consideration age (about 5) and interest.
There is no question, however, that Kids Discover Arts is all about, well, kids. Moved from its usual date in March to May 10 in order to take advantage of the good weather and use both the indoor and outdoor area of Wheeler Auditorium, this annual hands-on arts extravaganza is sponsored by the Gilroy Community Services Department. Though I often despair about Gilroy’s cultural I.Q., I am always encouraged by the popularity of this event and its affirmation that art education is critical to a child’s development. For registration information call 848-0460.
E-mail columnist Rhoda Bress at rb****@****ic.com with suggestions for arts and entertainment coverage.
