Join Susan Audrey, CHT, for this group class that will teach you to create a dream/life journal of writings and drawings that can be used to jump-start your creative projects and more!

Valentine's Art Classes

with AWD Studio Artist + Instructor, Susan Ticken:

Click here to download PDF Class flyer + register now >

Click here to learn more about Instructor, Susan Ticken >

Could this month get any busier or more exciting? 

No, we don't think so.  Our list of events at AWD has grown and grown, and seems to keep growing.  We are delighted to share the biggest Art Walk of 2012 with Marin, this Friday, December 14, 2012.

Just added to this event, we have "Collage Quartet" in the AWD Classroom, featuring mixed-media artists, Anne Cook, Jennifer Parker, Anna Corba and Delisa Sage. Visit them on Facebook here for more information.

TUESDAY January 8th:

California Pizza Kitchen gives back
20% to Art Works Downtown

     Buy food, drinks or dessert in Corte Madera

and 20% goes back to AWD

when you bring our flyer!
print the flyer here>

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Art Works Downtown in San Rafael, CA has installed a new piece of public art in downtown San Rafael to honor 9-11 victims.  The steel sculpture is called "On the Rise: a 9-11 Tribute" by sculptor, Matt Rapalyea.  Rapalyea is very active in the Santa Rosa Public Art community.  Rapalyea writes, "I find deep pleasure in creating and sharing a response with my art."  Rapalyea has been featured in several 2nd Fridays Art Walks at the MFA Art Space at Marin Fencing Academy located at the east end, at 827 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA.  The installation was coordinated by AWD Program Director, Stan Gibbs.  Stan works with the City of San Rafael and the BID to coordinate programs for the betterment of the community.  The AWD Public Art program began with founder, Phyllis Thelen, and was passed on to  Gibbs to carry on the co-ordination of this program that provides art for public discourse and enjoyment.  To learn more about the AWD Public Art program, visit here >  To send a letter of inquiry, become involved with our Public Sculpture program, donate funds, or send a thank you for Public Art efforts, contact us >              If you go... San Rafael's Town Center Plaza 1010 Court Street, off of Fourth Street view map >

A very large work, more than 5 feet in diameter is a ceramic world of mountainous peaks, valleys and nooks filled with live succulents and water that trickles throughout the piece.  Andino-Stevenson has included her new ceramic whistles, which are characters who could certainly live in this earthy, clayscape, but they stand alone as impressive and highly detailed ceramic collectibles.

A must see!  The Library staff shared this week that many have been snapping photos daily with their iPhones and small cameras.  They noted that this is really a unique type of exhibit for the Library and that it should be seen to be enjoyed.  San Rafael photographer, Margot Duane, of Margot Duane Images, had the opportunity to visit the exhibit this week and has provided photos. 

All photos © Margot Duane Images and should not be reproduced or used outside of this document with out permission

AWD and EMW present:

new! Wine Tasting Experience during 2nd Fridays Art Walk 

Next Art Walk: FRIDAY August 12 • 5-8pm

Art Walk is a FREE monthly event that connects 30+ venues up and down Fourth St every 2nd Friday of the month. Enjoy art exhibits, art studios and featured entertainment as you stroll up and down Fourth St.

To support this community event and to enjoy award-winning wines, purchase Wine Tasting Tickets. $10 for 5 tastings, $20 for 12 tastings.
ADVANCE tickets  are available online HERE (credit cards) or at the following locations (cash/checks):

• Art Works Downtown • 1337 Fourth St
• Aurora Art Studios • 1350 Fourth St
• Donna Seager Gallery • 851 Fourth St
• FolkArt Galler y • 1321 Fourth St
• Marin Jewelers Guild • 1331 Fourth St
• Pleasures of the Heart • 1310 Fourth St
• Rileystreet Art Supply • 1128 Fourth St
• Room Gallery • 1320 Fourth St • Rebound Bookstore • 1611 Fourth St
• Sabor of Spain • 1310 Fourth St
• Terra Firma Gallery • 1130 Fourth St

Tickets will also be available at all Wine Tasting venues and Rafael Town Center Plaza during the event.

For a map, event listings and more info: www.2ndFridaysArtWalk.com

You must be 21+ to consume wine

Photographing in the Fields: Richard Steven Street on his exhibit "American Peasantry: Life and Labor in the Fields of California"

Creating the most substantial and extended visual account of any single group of workers in America, photographers of California farm workers today have become, in effect, organizing tools as important to the farm worker struggle as politicians, picket captains, labor leaders, reporters, boycotts, and strikes.

As an award-winning photographer, historian and journalist specializing in California agriculture and agricultural labor, Richard Steven Street will discuss the adventures, techniques, lessons and circumstance of social documentary photography. He will focus on several specific images by relaying the circumstances behind them and how they relate to his overall body of work.

The author of a multi-volume history of California farmworkers, Richard Steven Street, PhD has photographed California farmworkers since 1975 and teaches "Liberation Photography" at the James Weldon Johnson Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Emory University.

Click HERE to read the Marin IJ article!
Please RSVP at 415.451.8119 or info@artworksdowntown.org

Hi folks. For the last year and a half it has been my honor and pleasure to have been part of a collaborative project with several friends to create the SCIENCE TAROT - a complete tarot deck with images from the world of science. The project brings together compelling science, intriguing symbolism and beautiful artwork from talented artists.

It also brings together friends to help celebrate the launch of this huge, fascinating project!

On Thursday September 23 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm, the California Academy of Sciences will present a Night Life event around the theme of Science Tarot! Tickets are now ON SALE!

Science Tarot Night Life celebration
California Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
6:00 - 10:00 pm
Thursday, September 23

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT: https://www.calacademy.org/event_tickets/index.php
Be sure to buy tickets for the correct date: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23.
(The page defaults to today's date instead of this event date.)
Only $12! ($10 for members)

Please note: this is an adults-only event. (It's a friendly night-out vibe, but alcohol is served.) Also, it is VERY LIKELY TO SELL OUT.

You'll find artwork on display, tarot readers, drinks available for purchase, DJ music, circus performer entertainment, artists and Science Tarot creators in person, and all the attractions of the California Academy of Science.

You'll also find, for the first time, the Science Tarot available for purchase!

More info about Science Tarot: http://www.sciencetarot.com/

Please let me know if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
-submitted by Janelle Schneider

(in other news - new studio work in progress)