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

'Realm of Dreams'
at Alemany Library

The founder of Art Works Downtown, artist, Phyllis Thelen, and the ceramics instructor of AWD's Sweet Spirit Ceramics Center, Barbara Andino-Stevenson, will have an opening reception for their exhibit, "Realm of Dreams" Tuesday, July 10, from 5-7 p.m at the Alemany Library at Dominican University.  All are welcome to this public opening reception.
The exhibit runs through August 30, 2012.  For more info, please visit the Dominican University website link here>>

The October Revolution

A Solo Exhibition at The Amelia Hyde Gallery
January 28  -  March 24

new work by Lark Calderon-Gomez
RECEPTION: Saturday January 28 • 6-8pm

Guatemala, 1944 - Teachers demonstrated in the streets in front of the National Palace demanding fair wages, freedom to organize, and the resignation of President General Jorge Ubico, a harsh dictator for over 14 years. The massive protests were on their third day when the President sent in his cavalry to break up the crowd by opening fire, killing over 200 including the beloved leader of the Teacher's Union movement, Mrs. Maria Chinchilla, who became a martyr.  This was the turning point which grew into the October Revolution.  This series of new paintings, drawings & mixed media works tells a compelling story by way of Julia and her friends from "Julia's Journeys."

Amelia Hyde Gallery is please to present The October Revolution,
a solo exhibit by Bay Area artist and AWD admin extraordinaire, Lark Calderon-Gomez

Amelia Hyde Gallery
521 6th Street, loft (inside the Mscape Bldg)
San Francisco, CA 94103

Dia de los Muertos is one of AWD's most popular exhibits, please come see all our altars and VOTE for your FAVORITE!

Jurors Carol Durham (Art Works Downtown studio artist) and Sharon Christovich (the FolkArt Gallery) chose 18 altars for this year's exhibit.

Highlights include:

A colorful altar by San Rafael High School students taught by teachers Tia Starr Warner and Joanna Herrera that includes many types of traditional Mexican crafts: paper maché calacas, calaveras made of clay and papel picado cut-outs.

2 altars are dedicated to San Rafael: playful scenes of San Rafael Mission Arcángel by Isabel Hayes and a cross-cultural altar by Hannah Merriman asking for healing from environmental issues.

Hannah's is also one of 2 interactive pieces. Dave Benoit's altar allows you to write and stamp letters to the afterlife. Hannah's Japanese-style altar asks you to offer your healing prayers on paper fish.

Margaret Starrett, Barbara Shapiro, and Petrina W created personal altars to their friends and family.

There is an altar to Don Timoteo Murphy, historical Marin ranch owner, by Patrick Gavin Duffy, an altar to the duality of mothers by Paul Pribuss, and an altar to missing children by Sheila Tuffanelli.

There are several relevant social statements as well. Savita Skye created an altar to those killed in Oakland this year, Marlene Robbins altar to Native American cultures, Robin Bentel's altar to the loss of liberty and Stuart Wagner's very powerful altar to victims of IV drug abuse.

To round it out, there are beautiful nichos created by James Marc, Gertrud Parker, and Carole Austin.

Join us for the CLOSING PARTY on November 11 (during 2nd Fridays Art Walk) which will also feature a poetry performance inspired by the altars by Claire Blotter. Winner of the PEOPLE'S CHOICE award will also be announced.

solo show by Susan McCormick

Acts of Volition

May - July 2011

RECEPTION: Sunday May 1 from 4-7pm

NH2 Salon/Gallery
208 Vintage Way, K29
Novato
(upstairs across from Old Navy)

www.susanmcormick.com

new art exhibit by AWD studio artist Milla Ruane

POINTS OF ARRIVAL
April 1 - April 30

an exploration of Internal and External Geography

RECEPTION: Tuesday April 5 • 6-8pm
during Mill Valley 1st Tuesday Art Walk

at NOCI Gelateria and Gallery
17 E Blithedale Ave | Mill Valley