ArtView – May Day May Day!


Art View
By Jim Christiansen

May Day! May Day! That wasn’t your imagination last month that we published the March Art View Column in the April Edition with new photo. Unexpected April Fool’s Joke, but thank you to those of you who shared our online link to the April Column. Modesto View updates our online stuff all the time, and columns and articles, even photos archived on the web site. Thanks Chris Murphy for the quick fix post online as a reminder to readers we are a multi-platform media effort. So small recap from last month.

Mistlin Gallery and Carnegie Arts Center has the Central California Art Showcase split between the two nonprofit art association galleries. You missed the April 1 Opening, and we didn’t have the awards list, but Brian Swander won Best of Show, and the show will run to May 27. 76 artists were accepted into the show, with 150 pieces displayed from the 338 entered. 2 Awards of Excellence went to Meisha Grichunin and Jane Zich. Awards of Distinction went to Robert Behee, Christine Obers, Christine Johnson and great image of Mark Twain by Phil Vance. Awards of Merit went to Steve Bauman, Tom Duchscher, Dan Petersen, Monique Wales, and six honorable mentions. This is an uncategorized show, so adding in the various media exceeds column length. Enjoy a trip to both galleries.

New Stuff. If you missed the Stanislaus Artist Open Studio and have access to a map. The 81 participating artists have their contact information in case you need to fill that wall with local art. In Turlock, you can paint your own at Jaurequy’s Paint and Decorating Art and Wine Night. Event starts at Gallery on Main Street, tickets at the door $45 for this benefit. May 3, 6 to 9 pm. May 12th at Gallery on Main, the annual Graduating Seniors and annual Print show at the CSUS student gallery.

May the Fourth be with you. California State Fair fine arts exhibition Call to Artists deadline is May 4. www.castatefair.org Want to show in a gallery closer to home? Chartreuse Muse has an Open Call to Artists until May 27, for emerging artists, or first timers at the Muse. Submit 10 to 20 images, artist’s statement and biography, and you might be on display during a show or two later this summer. Email is themuse@chartreusemuse.com<mailto:themuse@chartreusemuse.com> for details. The Muse owners and staff featured in the “Musings” show up now. Ellen Roehne, Sandy Veneman, Jennifer Price, Fumiko Amano and more. Henrietta Sparkman is the featured May artist at Carolyn Huff Gallery over on K Street. Che’root is on Art Walk and I’ve enjoyed the art while at the Comedy Showcase there on Tuesday Nights.

I have been asked by artists about places to show. Check in with Monica Gunderson and her Modesto Art Salon artist group on Facebook. They have been meeting once a month, and compiling a show list. The Shire Community has something going on, so hope to meet up with them some time. Appreciate the invitation. And I’m working on the schedules and set up for the Pick and Gather festival in Livingston. If you’re an artist, crafter, artisan, in some other vendor capacity, check out the guidelines and fees posted at www.riverdancefarms.com Get some great music, art and organic blueberries. This is the 11th year so mark your calendar for June 4 and 5.

Posted in: featured, stage & art

About the Author:

Jim Christiansen, award winning watercolor artist, cartoonist and member of many art groups moved to Modesto in 1977. Born in Riverside, California, and attended University of California, Riverside. Jim often shows around Modesto, does a poster or two, and has been host of the art walk events at State Theatre and Jax on H. Jim has been writing the art notes column several years for Modesto View.