Sitting on a table in my living room is a lovely leaf-shaped ceramic bowl, a gift from local artist Polly Gariaeff. It came to me by way of an unexpected stroke of serendipity, which began at the Nov. 4 Gilroy City Council meeting.
At that meeting I had the pleasure of assisting Mayor Don Gage in presenting the Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission’s 2013 Arts and Business Awards.
This year the Commission chose “Out and About” Magazine as the small business recipient. The magazine partnered with the Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission, the Gilroy Public Art Committee, the Gilroy Arts Alliance and the City of Gilroy in presenting a free family outdoor movie night in August 2013. In addition to creating and printing the posters and flyers for the event, the magazine publicizes events throughout the year.
The large business award was presented to the Gilroy Dispatch for its support of the arts and for granting the Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission space for the Art Du Jour column. Four years ago, the Commission decided to pursue more recognition of local art and approached Executive Editor Mark Derry with the idea of an arts column. The column was launched and has featured local artists and art-related events. Thank you Mark, Gilroy Dispatch and especially my editor, Andrea Joseph, for your continued support.
At the same meeting, the Gilroy Public Art Committee’s 2013 Community Art Award was presented to Jane Rekedal and the Gavilan College Art Department for supervising the creation of ceramic tiles at San Ysidro Park. Jane and her crew of volunteers – headed by Gariaeff – worked with about 96 kids in the City’s afterschool Parks and Recreation Program to help sketch, paint and glaze the tiles that represent the seasons. During the year and a half project, Gavilan volunteers met with the kids and helped them sketch ideas, transfer drawings to tiles and then glaze the tiles.
“There were some unexpected problems,” Polly said. “The glazes came in gallon containers so the crew had to obtain smaller containers and pour individual size portions for the kids. The brushes were too big so we had to obtain smaller brushes. After the first firing we discovered that the glaze was matte so the tiles had to be glazed again in order to have a glossy finish. It was a learning experience for everyone.”
When I visited the site, one row of tiles had been installed. What a wonderful legacy for these young artists who have contributed to the beauty of their community. With a sense of pride they can bring their friends and families and, perhaps someday, their own children to see what they created.
I went out to Gavilan the next week and visited Jane’s Wednesday morning ceramic class. It was abuzz with activity and Jane was everywhere: checking kilns, giving instructions and lecturing on the Raku process.
Nancy Olivares was meticulously working her clay when I asked her why she took the class. “It is relaxing,” she responded with a smile. “I have found a creative part of me that I didn’t know was there.”
Working at the wheel, Diego Quiroz talked about pursuing a career in civil engineering. “I wanted to try ceramics,” he said. “It’s good so far. I like it.”
Marguerita Garcia was creating a Chinese flower while her lyric assignment, a California hotel, sat nearby. “I’m working toward a political science/administrative justice degree. In 10 years I hope to work in a law firm. Ceramics relieves my stress. When I am working with clay, I don’t think of anything else.”
Retired Morgan Hill resident, Jan Bear, loves the creative process. “It’s the ‘what if?; the ability to think outside of the box. It’s what gives us the ability to solve problems.”
It is also how I came by that beautiful leaf bowl in my living room. Thank you Jane, Polly and the Gavilan College Art Department.
Carol Harris represents the City of Gilroy Art and Culture Commission.
• New Year’s Eve Gala and Cabaret Performance at 7341 Monterey St.: A fundraiser event to benefit the Gilroy Arts Alliance. Dec. 31; Doors open at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. show, 11 p.m. party. $50 advance, $60 at the door. www.GilroyArtsAlliance.com.
• “Red, White & Tuna”: Benefit for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 for bring your own dinner). Matinee Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. (Doors open at 1 for bring your own brunch). Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St. $25. LimelightActorsTheater.com
• CHS Winter Concert: Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. at CHS dining commons, 850 Day Road, Gilroy
• GHS Winter Concert: Dec. 18 & 19, 7:30 p.m. at the student center. Parking off Princevalle at W. 10th Street.
• “The Nutcracker”: Friday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Gavilan College Theater, Gilroy. (408) 778-1178.
