ART to GO!

Hearts for the Arts: love themes

Now that it's positively spring-like outside, it's time to do what Santa Cruz does best: celebrate art and the artists in our midst!

Two fabulous new art shows are up and running this week.

First up, welcome back a beloved local tradition, Hearts for the Arts, the long-running benefit for the  Arts Council of Santa Cruz County.

Once upon a time, it was the biggest clambake of the art season, a catered affair at the Civic Auditorium, where artists came out of their lairs to mingle, while art patrons came all fired up to bid on their work — fueled by free champagne a chocolates provided during the increasingly raucous live auction that closed the evening.

These days things are a bit more (ahem) decorous. Artisan's Gallery, downtown, generously provides the wall space for an ongoing silent auction that opened February 1st, and continues to February 13.

In keeping with the Valentine season, most of the art pieces feature hearts or other love-oriented themes.

And the varying interpretations of that theme is what makes the show so interesting — as you can see from the eclectic grouping, above!

Besides small paintings, there are textiles, mixed media, encaustics, and a selection of fine jewelry to tempt art lovers — 100 pieces in all. Each piece comes with a preemptive strike option, a "Buy Now" price that will secure that item without any further bidding.

Several pieces have already sold out of the show this way, so get out there and place your bids!

I love my Connie Grant watercolor!

And while you're there, check out the vast selection of art, craft, jewelry, and greeting cards Artisan's has to offer. (How funny is it that Art Boy's painting ended up above the greeting card rack featuring champagne cards!)

Meanwhile, down in Watsonville, it's time for the Pajaro Valley Arts annual fundraiser Take Aways: Art to Go. The show features 62 local artists showing small, original pieces, priced to take away!

The cool thing about this show is that each artist displays a selection of pieces, grouped together, so you really get a sense of not only their style and use of materials, but the kind of artistic journey they're on.

It's also handy to have a few extra pieces on display as others are sold and whisked away!

The Aschbacher wall, PVA: on a journey

(Here's our score from the Preview Reception (above): a lovely little watercolor by Connie Grant that we just couldn't resist! You may know her from the fabulous art glass she's made for years with her husband, Jim Grant.

But just look how wonderful these little abstracts are! We love ours!)

The PVA Gallery on Sudden Street is such a rabbit warren of interesting little rooms (it's converted from a stately Victorian house), it's worth it just to poke around and see what marvels you find. There's always a surprise around the next corner!

See for yourself in this virtual tour of the Take Aways show!

One of my other favorite discoveries was this marvelous little window suite of mini chairs (each about 12" tall) from Cristie Thomas and Scott Lindberg. How cool are these? I especially love the one with the tree-limb chair back and legs!

Take Aways: Art To Go runs through March 4 at the PVA Gallery. There will be a closing reception March 4, 2-4 pm. But don't wait 'til then to see the show — pieces are already disappearing off the walls!

Exclusive Seating: mini-chairs by Cristie Thomas and Scott Lindberg

HEART WORK

Hey kids, the annual Hearts for the Arts show is up now at Artisans Gallery in downtown Santa Cruz.

Once upon a time, this was a gigantic art and social event held at the Santa Cruz Civic for artists and their collectors. The event itself has been downsized these days, like so much else, but its spirit is carried on by the intrepid crew at Artisans.

Here's how it works: dozens of local artists donate original work (not to exceed 10" x 10") in a variety of media. Out of this raw material, the Artisans elves construct a "Wall of Hearts" exhibition to be ogled by the public for the next two weeks.

At the end of that time, February 14, Valentine's Day, each piece will be auctioned off to lucky bidders, with proceeds to benefit the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County, and its education programs, SPECTRA and Mariposa's Art.

 It's an ongoing silent auction, which means the public is invited to come by Artisans during the next two weeks, check out the artwork, and place bids on their favorites.

High bidders will claim their prizes when the auction closes on the 14th—so check back often, to see if you need to up your bid!

The usual wide variety of artwork is up for auction this year. Participating artists include Isobel George, Linda Levy, Claire Lerner, Sandra Cherk, T. Mike Walker, Margo Mullen, and James Aschbacher (that's his Trampoline of Love decorating my margin!), among many others.

The show also includes a rare sculpture from Maggie Renner Hellmann, found art assemblage from Peter Koronakos, jewelry from Lynn Guenther, printmaking from Melissa West and Stacy Frank, and lots of other treasures.

The silent auction runs through February 14. Drop by and bid on your favorite piece!

ART TO GO

Hearts For the Arts at Artisan's Gallery

If you're in the market for some tasty, affordable art (and who isn't?), gather round. The best art deals in town are happening this week at two local venues. The annual Hearts for the Arts silent auction (a fundraiser for the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County) is in full swing at Artisan's Gallery.  And the affordable art show, Take Aways: Art To Go, continues for one more week at the Pajaro Valley Arts Council in Watsonville.

Here's a recap of the original Hearts for the Arts concept. It was a combination live/silent auction, wine and chocolate tasting, and schmooze-fest held on a massive scale at the Santa Cruz Civic right around Valentine's Day every year.

Nowadays, the spirit of the original Hearts event lives on at Artisan's. For several years now, owner/curator Linnea Holgers James has invited local artists to donate a 10"x10" work of art on the theme of hearts and/or love, which she displays grouped together on a back wall of the gallery like a quilt.  Bid sheets are available for anyone who wants to come in and place a bid on their favorite piece(s).

"Every Which Way," by James Aschbacher, at PVAC

Participating artists this year include Doug Ross, Isobel George, Sally Bookman, T Mike Walker, Isabelle Fearnsby, James Aschbacher, Brenda Mills Brannan, printmaker Liz Lyons Friedman, sculptor Peter Koronokos, and jewelry-maker Alena Byrnes, among many others.

Artisan's is open 10:30 am to 6:30 pm Sunday-Friday, and 10:30 am to 8:30 pm Saturday. Bidding on these items closes next Friday, February 14, with all proceeds to benefit ACSCC—which, in turn, supports the arts in Santa Cruz County.

Meanwhile, down at the PVAC, the month-long Art To Go show is heading into its final week. In this user-friendly exhibit, a staggering array of local artists—more than 50, at last count—offers smaller work at ridiculously reasonable prices.

From "Ancestors," by Chris Miroyan

Nothing in the show is over $300, and many pieces, including a lot of glass, ceramics, and jewelry, are priced under $100. Such a deal! Look for 2D art by Jane Gregorious, d. hooker, Marie Gabrielle, Sefla Joseph, Beth Shields, Roberta Lee Woods, the ubiquitous James Aschbacher, the mysterious bird-headed "Ancestors" series by Chris Miroyan, and so many more.

There's also glass art by Jim and Connie Grant and Penny Waller, sculpture from Jamie Abbott and Fanne Farnow, rustic, hand-shaped tea cups by Mike Beebe, book art by Donna and Peter Thomas, jewelry from Lynn Guenther—well, I could go on and on.

But, hey, don't listen to me—go check it out for yourself. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm. Closing reception will be on Sunday, February 16, 2 - 4 pm, and will also feature a drawing for donated art.

And even if you don't bid or buy, these shows give us all another chance to marvel at the abundance and variety of art produced right here in our burgh. Bask and enjoy!

FIRST FRIDAY HEARTS TOUR

Remember Hearts for the Arts? (Here's a brief recap for those of you who came in late.)

An annual fundraiser for the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, it was a combined silent and live art auction formerly held at the SC Civic on Valentine's Day weekend. With hundreds of local artists participating, along with hundreds more of their collectors madly bidding away, it was also the single biggest social event of the year for artists.

Sadly, the event finally became too massive to stage. But its spirit lives on at the Artisan's Gallery downtown, which hosts an annual mini Hearts for the Arts exhibit and art auction every year around this time.

 The show opens to the public today, with an artist's reception tonight, 6 to 8 pm, as part of the First Friday Art Tour for February.

To accommodate the smaller space, Artisan's owner Linnea Holgers James invited  artists to contribute a 10" x 10" square piece of original "love-inspired" art, which she displays like a giant quilt on the back wall of the shop.

From now through February 14, a silent auction will be in progress; if you can't make the reception tonight, drop in any time to bid on your favorites!

Among the 30+ local artists participating this year are printmaker Liz Lyons Friedman (that's her "Crazy Hearts," up top), painter Isobel George ("Heart & Soul,"  above right), and mixed media artist James Aschbacher, aka Art Boy ("Love Song," left).

On Valentine's Day, the auction closes and the artworks go home with some lucky bidders. All proceeds go the the CCSCC's Art Education programs for children and youth, including the  SPECTRA and Mariposa's Art programs.

And while you're out on the First Friday tour tonight, plan a stop at The Tannery. The new show at the new Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Art (SCICA) gallery is called "Alter Eco: Exploring the Landscape of Change," in which participating artists are invited to reconsider the idea of landscape in a changing natural world.

The slate of local and regional artists includes  multi-media artist Stan Welsh, book artist Jody Alexander, photographer Steve Laufer, and installation artist Ryan Jones, among others.

 Fanne Fernow is showing a selection of her way cool 3D encaustic sculpture series, "Enchanted Broccoli Forest." There's nothing like seeing these playful yet mysterious pieces in person!
 

And before you leave The Tannery, stop by Stephanie Schriver's clay sculpture studio (#122).

In addition to Schriver's own whimsical clay pieces, take a fortifying look at the nutrageous watercolor animal paintings of John McKinley.

Check out  his "7 Shades of  Grey," and tell me you're not smiling already!

HEARTFELT

Still don't know what to give your sweetie—or yourself—this Valentine's Day? Don't forget, there are still some fabulous deals to be had on small treasures of original art at the Artisans Gallery's ongoing Hearts For the Arts silent auction.

With all proceeds to go to the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, to benefit art education programs for local children, the gallery show features a dazzling array of quilt-sized, 10" x 10" pieces, all with a heart motif, from 20 renowned local artists. Work by Marie Gabrielle, Paul Fortis, Beth Purcell, Doug Ross, Maggie Renner Hellmann, and James Aschbacher, among many others, is going for a song as we speak. (Here's a link to one of my favorite pieces, Doug Ross' "Heart-Seal.")

An additional couple of dozen pieces by area children and their art teachers are also available for bidding.  It's worth it to drop by just to see how many imaginative variations are possible on the theme of "hearts."

The show will be up through next Tuesday, Valentine's Day, Feb 14, when the bidding will be closed. So pop in soon and put a bid on the heart-work of your dreams.

FFAT FRIDAY

Get ready to reconnect with some favorite artists and get inspired by some exciting new ideas pinging around out there at this week's First Friday Art Tour. Looks like our mild winter weather will continue for this second FFAT of the new year, and with the days getting longer, there are plenty of reasons to get out and see what's new on the local art scene.

Here are a few events that look interesting to me. Be sure to visit the FFAT website and design your own tour.

At the County Government Center, you'll find luscious and mysterious watercolor abstracts by Isobel George (above), along with David Fleming's narrative oils with a twist, Laurie Longnecker's precise, photorealistic paintings of iconic local sites, Sandra Cherk's vivid pastel and watercolor landscapes, and the ceramic art of Maren Sinclair Hurn.

The Zen-like meditative quality of repetition is the theme for the new show, REPEAT! at the Santa Cruz County Bank. Parceled out between its five countywide branches, you'll find work from the encaustic mantra series by Fanne Fernow. Other artists whose work plays with the idea of visual repetition include Angela Gleason, Jane Gregorius, Charlotte Kruk, Dotti Cichon, and Daniella Woolf.



Then cruise down to the Rittenhouse Building on Pacifc Avenue for what may be the coolest show of the event, Wet Art 2012. Old wetsuits have been donated by 36 local surfers to 36 local artists to create a gallery show and auction to benefit Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County.

Participating artists include Charles Prentiss, Ann Morehauser, Coeleen Kiebert, D Hooker, Jimbo Phillips, Robynn Smith, Rose Sellery, even The Great Morgani—to name just a few! (That's Fran Battendieri's funky-chic mermaid gown, at right.)

Some of their pieces are figurative, some are fashionable (flirty to steampunk), some are alien life forms, some are deconstructed art pieces in their own right, but all are, in a word, awesome! A partial display of the work will up for FFAT at the Ritt from 5-10 pm. (The complete show will be up in time for the reception and auction, Saturday, February 18. There will also be pre-auction visiting hours 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, Feb 4-5 and 11-12.)

But in the meantime, check out the website, and prepare to be stoked.

Down the road, stop in at Artisans Gallery for this year's Hearts for the Arts exhibition. In her annual homage to the venerable Hearts for the Arts benefit art auction of yore, Artisans owner Linnea Holgers has come up with a new wrinkle: a "Wall of Hearts" featuring a quilt-like display of 10" x 10" square heart-inspired art pieces from local artists.



In addition to James Aschbacher's "Love Is In the Air," artwork includes an original small heart-shaped watercolor landscape by Marie Gabrielle, a Judy Miller ceramic plate, a pique-assiette wall piece from Beth Purcell, a clever collage of hearts by painter Paul Fortis, and just about the most adorable and impudent painted sea lion, ever, from printmaker Doug Ross (working in acrylics for only the second time).

Al in all, over 20 pieces by these local artists will be on display, along with work by students and teachers from the Mariposa Art Project. All these artworks are available for viewing and bidding in a silent auction from Friday through Valentine's Day, Feb 14, so be sure to stop in and bid on your favorite! All proceeds to go art education programs for local children.

On the Westside, the R Blitzer Gallery hosts A Figurative Affair. In addition to the work of curators Sefla Joseph and Susan Hancey, the exhibition includes new work by the fiercely creative Carol Bowie, who is always coming up with exciting new ideas in new media. Look for other renowned artists Barbara Downs, Stephanie Heit, David Fleming, Marvin Plummer, and Andrew Purchin, among many others in the show.

And these are just a smattering of the many venues in SC and Capitola participating in this month's event. So—on your marks, get set — FFAT!

HEARTS FOR THE ARTS—THEN & NOW

Not to out anybody, age-wise, but hands up, everyone who remembers the original Hearts for the Arts. For 20 years, it was the second-most important event of the year to the local art community (after Open Studios), an annual art auction staged at the Civic Auditorium on the Saturday closest to Valentine's Day as a fundraiser for the Santa Cruz County Cultural Council. Hundreds of artists donated original pieces of art (often, but not exclusively, with a hearts/love/romance motif) in return for tickets for self and spouse to the event. The rest of the tix were snapped up by eager art patrons, some of whom saved up all year (as Art Boy's collectors often told him) to be able to finance their Hearts addiction on the big night.

It was always a mob scene. With doors opening at 4 pm, the Civic was jam-packed by dark, with eager attendees jostling each other between the dozen or more Silent Auction tables set up on the floor, or thronging together at the central feeding trough where the hors d'ourvres were laid out. (In later years, they sensibly removed the food to a spacious tent outside.) You could buy drink tickets for local wines at libation stations strategically placed around the perimeter, but Art Boy and I soon figured out it was easier to pack in our own repast (Tupperware dishes of pasta; baguettes and cheese, a bottle of champagne, flute glasses), and set up camp in the first row of the bleachers, literally a front-row seat for the festivities.

There might be anywhere from 2-300 paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, or other smaller objets d'art available for bidding on the Silent Auction tables. After they were all sold off, the decks were cleared and the tables replaced by rows of folding chairs for the Live Auction, where another 50-60 pieces of art were presented. Bidding was always spirited from both the floor and the bleachers, enhanced in no small part by the many servers roving up and down the aisles dispensing free bubbly and chocolate. There's nothing like sugar and alcohol (my two favorite food groups) to get the crowd in a party mood!

Hearts was always a festive event, full of balloons and whimsy. Attendees could be as dressy (or not) as they wanted (as you can see by the photo of Art Boy and moi at Hearts, 1993); tuxes, ball gowns, and spats mingled with jeans and Birkinstocks. Artists loved it. Anyone could donate and everybody did; it was the one night a year we could expect to see every other artist in town and hang out together. It was also a great opportunity for art lovers to discover the work of new artists, and for artists and collectors to meet each other. Best of all, proceeds went to CCSCC, which funds Open Studios and the SPECTRA program for teaching art in the schools.

(Barbara and Kent Perry, Dan May, Carrie Jacobsen, d.hooker, Faye Augustine, and Art Boy, Hearts, 1994)

In these belt-tightening times, no one has the wherewithall to stage an art auction on a masive scale like Hearts any more. These days, the principal Spring fundraiser for CCSCC is Primavera, a gala event that combines an auction of select artwork, services, and other goodies with dinner, entertainment, and a theme party up at Chaminade.



But in the meantime, the folks at Artisans Gallery downtown are staging a mini-Hearts for the Arts revival. For one month, now through February 14, pieces of artwork donated by many local artists will be on view in the gallery as part of an ongoing silent auction. Proceeds will go directly to SPECTRA, so drop by now and leave a bid. Then come to the reception for artists and public alike, next First Friday, February 4, 6-8 pm, and see how you're doing.

We all miss the original Hearts like an old friend, but the spirit of supporting the arts lives on at Artisans.