Catnip Connection VI...(That's 6 Meows, Folks)!

                                                 "Go Green", painting by Padgett Mason
                                                 IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow...and, Meow!

Well, did you think this kitty was kidding?  That's 6, "count 'em"...6 meows for  "Catnip Connection 6", opening soon in Gallery 21 at Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park.  We all love cats...and, those of you who don't (what's the matter with you?) will still be as happy as a "kitty who stole the cream" with the upcoming exhibition.

Catnip Connection 6 will be showing in Gallery 21 located in Spanish Village Art Center at 1770 Village Place, San Diego, California, 6/20-7/2/12 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. daily.  For those artists who love depicting cats in their artwork, submissions are due on 6/20/12 at the gallery between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

As usual, a portion of the sales from the exhibition will be donated to the Feral Cat Coalition, an organization offering spay/neuter clinics for stray cats in San Diego County.

So, we will see you there...all of you "Cat Lovers", and all of you who "Love to laugh at cats".  I promise that Catnip Connection 6 won't disappoint you, whichever side you stand on.  I'm sure you'll be purring when you leave the gallery, just like the "cat who caught the canary".  Don't believe me?  Just ask a cat!

MEOW, MEOW, MEOW, MEOW, MEOW...and MEOW!!!!!!


For more information, and to register for the show contact Vicky DeLong (Studio 16B in Spanish Village Art Center) at  vbde@cox.net  or, call at (619) 850-6637.  You may also inquire with Marji Huntington at  marjih@earthlink.net or, call at (619) 640-2094.


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Yumi Climenson...following the "Path of Light"

Hello All,

Once again, Gallery 21 welcomes Yumi Climenson back for her annual exhibit, "Path of Light". We have traveled many paths with Yumi over the past years, and this year the "path" is, as always, illuminated by the "Light" inherent within Yumi, and in us all. I believe that is how Yumi would express it.

"Path of Light" promises to be a unique experience. How can it not with Yumi as our guide, or perhaps I should say, "...as Yumi reveals the vista along the way". Knowing her as I do, Yumi does not lead or force us to follow a path of her choosing. Rather, she invites us all to explore the path of illumination as a means of evolving...a journey (if you would) of enlightenment.

You see, and I haven't even seen the show yet. I suppose I am still basking in the "light" of her past exhibitions, all dealing with "light" in some form. So, Gallery 21 and Yumi Climenson invite you all to come and experience "Path of Light". Perhaps, we will leave the show with a modicum of that aura exuded by Yumi, and find our feet once more upon the path...

Yumi will be waiting to welcome you on the "Path of Light".



Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

They're.....Back! Mit Wine, Chocolate und Cheese!!!

Hello All!

Need I say more? I mean, what is there to say after "Wine, Cheese and Chocolate"? Oh. Oh, yes..."Please sir...I want some MORE"!!! And, then, "Let's Boogie down!" I'm pretty sure that Sue Palmer, "Queen of Boogie Woogie" can handle that one, and keep everyone on their feet "dancing the night away"!

Oh yes, folks. The Women's Museum of California really knows how to throw a party, especially when it comes to Wine, Chocolate and Cheese. And, let's not forget "Tripping the Light Fantastic" underneath the stars right here on our Spanish Village Art Center patio. Yay! Great summer fun and a perfect way to mingle with old friends and new acquaintances. It's the "Mostest" in mingling, and you surely don't want to miss it.

So, "...Surrey on down to a stone cold party", the 5th Annual to be exact, and spend a fantastic evening with us under the stars.

And, then there is the CHOCOLATE...WINE...CHEESE...CHOCOLATE...WINE... See y'all!

For more information and to reserve your place, contact the Women's Museum of California at (619) 233-7963, or log onto their website at:  www.WomensMuseumCA.org.

Spanish Village Art Center is located at 1770 Village Place, San Diego, California in Balboa Park between the Natural History Museum and the San Diego Zoo.


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

AGG Spring Show- "A Blown-out Success"

                                                "Art Glass" by Cindy McQuaid
                                         IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

Hello All,

I hear from AGG (Art Glass Guild) member, Marci Stinton, that the AGG Spring Show on the patio was a veritable "flood" of glass lovers and collectors. She said that the customers were still pouring in as late as 5:00 p.m. with no sign of ebbing. I wasn't able to attend, but judging by the photos of the event, this year's glass guild sale was a huge success. Oh, excuse me...rather, a "Blown-out" success (and, yes, pun intended...you know, "glass...blowing").
 

Just take a look at these displays of some of the art glass that was exhibited at this year's event.

                             "Flying Objects", art glass by Kathleen Mitchell, ArtHell

                                          IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

                                                         "Art Glass" by Gina Lunn

                                            IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

Oh, the beauty of glass...amazingly, just melted, fused, folded, slumped, and blown sand.  Sand, as in silica!  Now that's the kind of science I can relate to.  The science of the chemical makeup of Art Glass.  What a segue...from the chemistry of science to the miracle of Art Glass.  How absolutely, positively MARVELOUS!

There were over 30 participants in this year's AGG Spring Show and Patio Sale, 2012.  Here are just a few of those marvelous "miracle makers".

ANN MITCHELL, Art Glass

MARY JANE BAILEY, Dichroic Glass

MICHAEL HERMANN & GINA LUNN, "Nautilus"

There you have it folks, the AGG Spring Show and Patio Sale, 2012!

The AGG is in Studio 25, and is open to the public 7 days a week in Spanish Village Art Center at 1770 Village Place in beautiful Balboa Park.

SEE YOU AT THE FALL SHOW...It'll be MARVELOUS!!!

Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32

All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Benjamin Lavender Opening Reception at SDSG

Just a Reminder, Folks!  Don't miss the opening reception and the month-long exhibit of Benjamin Lavender's "Growth", at the San Diego Sculptors Guild, Studio 36 in Spanish Village Art Center.  Opening reception kicks off on Cinco de Mayo.  Here's the scoop (Oh, and don't forget to come with your Cinco de Mayo attitude.):

SEE Y'ALL THERE, MUCHACHAS Y MUCHACHOS...OLE' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Who is Benjamin Lavender and why...?

                                 Reclaimed Objects sculpture by Benjamin Lavender
                                 IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED



Hello All,

The continuum of the title above would appropriately be captioned, "Who is Benjamin Lavender and Why are People saying Wonderful Things about Him?"  Well, frankly speaking, he hails from the artistic and musical city of Austin, Texas, and judging by his striking and unusual work, is not like anyone you have ever known.  My chest swelled with pride after finding out that Benjamin comes from my old "stomping grounds" of Texas.  Down there, we have a saying, "They grow 'em tall in Texas".

Not having had the pleasure of meeting Benjamin yet, I have to say, "I don't know how tall he actually is, but his found and reclaimed objects sculptures make him TALL in my book any day."  Just take a gander at this one entitled, "Tap Root".

                       "Tap Root", reclaimed objects sculpture by Benjamin Lavender
                       IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


Benjamin earned his Associates of Fine Art from Watkins College of Fine Arts and Design in Nashville, Tennessee, winning first place in ceramics and second place in sculpture during his exiting student show.  He then moved to San Diego, California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in sculpture at San Diego State University in 2003.  Benjamin soon established himself in local art groups and began doing solo art exhibitions in the surrounding area.  And, no wonder with the kind of  work he produces.  It certainly isn't difficult to be impressed with Benjamin's imagination and meticulous attention to detail as he applies them within the frame of his work.  And, one must appreciate his usage of recycled and reclaimed objects from nature and industry, thereby contributing to environ continuity and preservation of the planet.

                 "Tap Root" (detail) reclaimed objects sculpture by Benjamin Lavender
                 IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


The San Diego Sculptors Guild in Studio 36, located in Spanish Village Art Center at Balboa Park is proud to present Benjamin Lavender as their featured artist for the month of May, 2012.  The opening reception for Benjamin's month-long show is charted for May 5, 2012 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. in celebration of Benjamin and Cinco de Mayo.  True to tradition, SDSG will host a meet and greet with Benjamin in the gallery and sculpture garden resplendent with mariachis, sangria and appetizers in the Spanish flavor of Cinco de Mayo.  The guild and Benjamin invite you all to come on down, enjoy the celebration and meet the artist.  We may expect to see one of Benjamin's monumental pieces on the patio at Spanish Village Art Center in the near future.

Benjamin's art reflects his lifelong fascination with the growth and erosion of nature.  Of himself and his work, Benjamin says, "Abstract Naturism is an appropriate way to describe my work, as well as industrially-organic.  Both define the outcome of mimicking nature through intense hours of manipulating metal, concrete, paint and found or reclaimed objects into organically formed art." 

 

                      "Lost and Found", found objects sculpture by Benjamin Lavender
                      IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


So folks, there you have it...Benjamin Lavender, "walking TALL" from Austin, Texas to San Diego, California which he now claims as home.  However, being from Texas reminds me of another of those great Texas sayings (there's millions of them, by the way...you "oldies" will remember this one.), " I'll give a Texan's share!"  I think Benjamin Lavender has definitely given "a Texan's share", and then some in his artwork.  And, I'll put money on it to boot..."People will be saying Wonderful Things about Him" for a very long time!


For more information about Benjamin Lavender peruse his website at: http://www.benjaminlavender.com. or inquire at the San Diego Sculptors Guild, studio 36, 11:00 - 4:00 p.m. daily.


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

"The Warrior"...Metaphorically Speaking

                                  "The Warrior", totem sculpture by Sergey Gornushkin
                                  IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED



Hello All,

It's rotation time on the Spanish Village Art Center patio, and installation of "The Warrior", a contemporary totem sculpture by Sergey Gornushkin is the topic of the day.  Sergey Gornushkin you will remember from a previous blog, "The Incredible Public Art of Sergey Gornushkin", posted 2/20/12, has mounted his contemporary totem on our patio to further his promotion of public art for the people.  Well, "power to the people" and power to Sergey!  (I know, I know.  I'm showing my generation.)  Just couldn't help myself.

Sergey's work supports that kind of whimsy in the mind, and surely makes one smile.  Just take a look at Monique Straub (Spanish Village's premier pastel artist) standing next to the sculpture.  I'd say she's got that "look of love" wouldn't you?  Maybe, "...she's holding on for a hero, totem, hero..."  You know it's all the same, metaphorically speaking.

                                Monique Straub, pastel artist admiring "The Warrior"
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Sergey is president of the San Diego Sculptors Guild in studio 36.  You can find him there several days a week, and certainly on hand for every art opening in the gallery and sculpture garden.  Of "The Warrior", Sergey says," It is a contemporary totem sculpture which depicts the themes and metaphors of various indigenous peoples."

So, Spanish Village Art Center invites you to drop in and see "The Warrior".  All metaphors aside, he is mighty to behold and very good for your spirit!  Who knows, maybe you will be inspired, after all, to "stand tall like a totem" and feel his power.  The Warrior won't mind...


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved