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May 2005 Gallery Shows Gage Opdenbrouw @
66 Balmy Gallery
A Bay Area artist, Gage Opdenbrouw was born and raised in
San Jose, California, and resides in San Francisco. He is a painter who works
in a variety of different modes and sizes, ranging from realism to near-total
abstraction. Working primarily from the memory and imagination, he attempts to
distill his images to a point where there is a powerful emotional resonance,
without being specific or didactic. “November” New
paintings by San Francisco artist Gage Opdenbrouw. May 19 – June 5, 2005, Reception Friday, May 20, 7pm to 10pm Collector’s Preview Thursday, May 19, 5-8pm
Gallery open Th-Fri 3-8pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-5pm 66balmy gallery 591 Guerrero Street, San Francisco, 94110 415-522-0502 Free admission ILLUSION @ MCCLA June 4, 2005, theme: TRAVELING The ILLUSION Concept --- Arte
Sin Fronteras/ Art Without Borders
MCCLA showcases Bay Area youth community
of emerging artist working in new and original ways in the visual arts. The
works exhibited were selected by a jury panel of recognized artists and
educators. Art Without Borders includes a variety of visual art disciplines:
painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, photography, video installations and
performance. 1st prize: Category A Category
A: 13-18 years old Honorable
Mentions
Category
B: 19-24 years old 1st prize: Category B
Honorable Mentions
#1 Photographs by
Bijan Yashar @ ATA
Born in Tehran, Iran and living in the United States since
1979, Bijan Yashar is a San Francisco-based video artist and photographer.
Pursuing his interests in studying the relationship between mind and
perception, he has earned a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and a MA in
Educational Psychology from UC Berkeley. Bijan received an MFA in New Genres
from San Francisco Art Institute in May 2004, and was a guest artist at the
Oakland School for the Arts during Fall 2004. His photographs and video work
strive to grasp and visually consider spaces between perception and
consciousness, illusion and reality. May 2, 2005 - May 30, 2005 The Bay Area Summer Poetry Marathon Poets from across the U.S. and the Bay Area join together to celebrate innovative poetry in a series of readings throughout the summer. The series' readers include Opal Palmer Adisa, Laura Mullen, Bin Ramke, David Shapiro, and many others. Look for upcoming Poetry Marathon events at The LAB on June 25, July 16, and August 27. “MELT” Spring Open Studios at the Art Explosion The Art Explosion studios held its annual spring open studios show last month with open studios at both of their locations in the industrial Mission. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to see so much art in one night but that is also the draw of the show. Each location has about 50 artists showing in 18,000 sq/ft of studio space which adds up to over 100 artists showing at the same time. It’s great to be able to stop in and see one artists after another as they show their latest work. The show gives a glimpse into the different perspectives artists have as they develop their art. It also juxtaposes accomplished artists with some that are starting out. The different artistic styles really make you excersize your own perceptions as you try and understand the different artists. Each year I go I am blown away by the amazing breadth of the work. Everything from ceramics and painting to wall sculptures and “Scientific Art”. When I leave I can’t wait to get back into the studio myself. It is inspiring to see all these artists hard at work. It was a great night for an art opening cause it looked like rain but didn’t actually rain and then cleared up. The threat of rain always makes the journey a little more exciting. There was plenty of parking in the warehouse district at the 17th Street studios at 8pm unlike most inner Mission gigs. They had a banner sign that read “Art Show” which led the way to the second floor studios. There was a large wall in the entrance area that was dedicated to a silent auction and had small pieces from all the artists in the show. A great cross section of art. Just across from the silent auction were all the refreshments and the classic boxed wine selection. Nothing like some “delicious red” wine. I grabbed a glass and headed around the bend to my first artists studio which was Lee Cline. Thankfully they had an artists directory so I can keep track of everyone’s name. I do not have photographic memory and have trouble even with the aid of a digital camera. Lee Cline does thoughtful sketches and drawings that reflect her years of experience as an artists. It’s not surprising to find out that she heads up the figure drawing sessions at the studios. Her subtle shading and attention to line enable the subjects in her works to convey deep emotions. Right across from Lee is the jewelry studio with Kathleen Maley, Jersey McDermott, and Erica Weeks. I realize now I can’t cover each artist in detail or this article would turn into a novel so I’m going to start the quick reviews right now. The hand made jewelry is unique, interesting and very hip. It’s hard not to take some home with you. So I did. Down the hall is Matt Dejong and his comic sketches, zines and drawings. Great fun to look at all his work and take in the details of his warping, mind blend-o-matic presentation. Next is Sparky Campanella and his minimalistic photography. Sparkey’s work is striking in its beauty and simplicity. Down the way is Wendi Spiers and her ceramic figures of animals with human qualities. Speirs ceramic work has an emotional quality in the figures that makes them unforgettable once you see them. I think I’ll take a second to catch my breath as I head around the corner to Susan Garry-Lorica’s studio and her divine wire sculptures. On the back wall are Ivy Jacobsen and Tim Svenonius who have open studios on the other side which I’m saving for later. Garry-Lorica has a nice mix of wood and wire figures and I see the red dot on a nice set of black wire figures floating in counter point to each other. Her figures have an emotive quality and her work is something special. Across the way is Amanda Moeckel that has “art with a message” that is sympathetic toward animal rights. She does animal portraits as well and that takes me back to the refreshment table to stock up for my trek to the east side of the studios. When I first walked in I saw a crowd of people around Paul Bakers “Scientific Art” exhibit. Amazing contraptions that have magnets floating in thin air and lasers bouncing off mirrors. Paul and his assistant were in white lab coats under a “caution” sign. Watch out! Next was Alejandra Rassvetaieff and her colorful paintings which have a dreamy feeling to them. Jennifer Wasson had some compelling impressionistic landscapes. Brent Bushnell had his vibrant and energetic paintings. Crystal Sylver had her emotional and erotic oils. Tim Svenonius had his interesting figures of horses and business men. There are plenty of other artists over here but for the sake of just OK writing (I can’t think of anything else to say) and time and space I’ll end it here and refer you to their web site which has more pictures and artists web pages: The show was well attended and crowded at times. There were plenty of free refreshments. The sales were brisk and the art was inspiring. I can’t wait for next April! For more info please go to: |
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