National Juried Exhibition November 16, 2024—January 11, 2025 at Arc Gallery & Studios 1246 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA
Catalog cover designed by Priscilla Otani
Exhibition Administrator and catalog interior designed by Karen M. Gutfreund
Copyright 2024 by Arc Gallery & Studios
ISBN: 9798344038179
About JOY
Joy is the antidote to hate, and love is the most important energy that we humans have. ~Unknown
I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains. ~Anne Frank
This exhibition shares a diversity of euphoric experiences and the effects of positive emotion on the body with art that sparks pure delight. Joy brings catharsis, builds resilience and brings people together. This deliberate turning to joy is not a shying away from the reality of sadness, pain and distress, instead it is about drawing on a deep sense of joy at the known and unknown, linking thankfulness and hope. Artists reclaimed the joy of artmaking by tapping into one’s inner child or by displaying moments of contentment they’ve experienced or witnessed. We asked artists to answer the question what does happiness mean to you in the here and now, and to provide a window into a personal source of peace and pleasure.
About Arc
Founded in 2011, Arc Studios & Gallery features ten artist studios, a 1,000 square foot art gallery, two smaller galleries and an art education center, along with the Kearny Street Workshop office, the San Francisco Artist Network office and Cafe Suspiro Coffee Shop. Arc is located at 1246 Folsom Street between 8th and 9th Streets in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood. Arc supports the making of quality art in all media, provides a nurturing environment for artists to create their work, builds a community of artists to encourage exploration of art, provides resources for the professional development of visual artists, and promotes appreciation of the visual arts in the City of San Francisco.
www.arc-sf.com @arcgallerysf
Juror’s Statement—Priscilla
Otani
What a pleasure to view so many manifestations of joy! When it comes to defining this word, the phrase “ a feeling of great delight and happiness” was most often repeated and I used it as my guiding principle. In viewing each work, I asked the question, how does this work embody joy to the artist and viewer? How is the joyful emotion expressed? When I was uncertain about a work, I searched for clues in the title and statement specific to the piece. My picks include people interacting delightfully with water, whether a joyful plunge into a pool, floating en masse in inner tubes or jumping into a lake; people engaged in joyful motion such as riding bicycles at night, dancing, roller-skating, or playing games in a city street; relaxing moments such as a woman getting a suntan in the backyard, a woman sitting in a rocking chair, or posing coquettishly on a chair; abstract works vibrating with motion and bright colors; moments of childhood depicted by balloons, oreos and ice cream cones; magical moments at twilight; expressions of love in all its manifestations; and symbols, such as hands clapping or a clutch of red balloons floating free against a grey Bosphorus in Turkey. I am reminded that even in these dark times, there are still many many moments of joy that fill our hearts with happiness and hope for the future.
- Priscilla Otani Arc Gallery Principal Partner JOY Co-Juror
Priscilla Otani is founding partner of Arc Studios & Gallery in San Francisco, Board President of the Northern California Women’s Caucus for Art (NCWCA), and art curator. As partner of Arc Studios & Gallery, Otani has focused on showcasing and promoting emerging and established artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2010, Arc has exhibited more than 500 mostly local artists, provides studio spaces for 14 local artists, and houses two micro-businesses. Founded in 1973, NCWCA has an activist mission in support of women in the arts and its membership includes artists, art historians, curators, gallerists, art educators and students. As Board President, Otani prioritizes the continuation of NCWCA?s successful programs such as the mentorship program, curatorial tours, activist exhibitions, and professional development as well as building collaborative opportunities with Bay Area businesses. As curator, Otani has produced local, national and international exhibitions through Arc Gallery, NCWCA, National Women’s Caucus for Art, and the Pacific Center for the Book Arts. Otani received her BA in Psychology and Asian Studies from Mills College in 1974 and MA in Japanese Literature from Columbia University in 1976.
M.
A favorite painter of mine, Gerhard Richter, once wrote, “Art is the highest form of hope.” The power of art doesn’t just show us beauty it also inspires contemplation and creates conversation, reigniting our imagination, and reminds us that there is still a future worth believing in.
Joy is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, and joyful art reflects this part of our spirit. It reminds us of our capacity for happiness, hope, and celebration. By expressing joy through art, we preserve and promote the importance of these feelings in both personal and societal contexts. By reflecting shared experiences of joy, it creates a sense of connection and belonging, reminding us of the common joys that unite humanity.
I was so pleased to be asked to co-jury this exhibition. I asked that the theme focus on beauty and positivity especially since this show will be concurrent with the 2024 elections. JOY is the antithesis of current world events (wars, environment and politics) and acts as a counterbalance to all the negative media. In a world where inflammatory news and overwhelming, bleak content are most often the focus, joyful art serves as an antidote. Studying all the work and working on this exhibition has been a balm for my soul and a source of positive energy, offering an escape and renewed sense of optimism.
I was delighted by the quality of work that was submitted for this exhibition. The works evoke feelings of happiness, delight, positivity, lightheartedness, and blissful nostalgia. I believe the show will elate the viewers sparking feelings of serenity, silliness, harmony, laughter and wonder. These works tap into universal themes of love, play, beauty, and connection with the aim to make people feel good. We need this now more than ever.
Joyful art doesn’t always have to be complex or even representational sometimes it’s the simplicity of an artwork that makes it joyful, through color, movement, texture and form, whether in serene landscapes, playful figures, art-objects or abstraction.
I believe art can shift our focus towards gratitude by highlighting life’s simple pleasures. It invites us to pause and reflect on the good things in life, promoting mindfulness and an awareness of beauty in the everyday that we might otherwise overlook. Art creates a sense of shared emotional connection through visual expression. Joyful art is important because it provides emotional healing, encourages creativity, and serves as a celebration of the beauty and positivity in life. It adds balance to the human experience, ,,,
reminding us that joy is an essential part of well-being and has the power to bring it to the forefront of our lives as a reflection of the human spirit.
I am grateful to the artists for sharing their work with us and for partnering with Priscilla Otani and Arc Gallery & Studios for this wonderful opportunity to bring our curatorial vision to life in JOY.
Karen M. Gutfreund Curator, Karen M. Gutfreund Art karengutfreund.com @karengutfreundart
Karen M. Gutfreund is an independent curator, consultant and artist with a focus on feminist and social justice art. She has worked in the Painting & Sculpture Department at MoMA, Andre Emmerick Gallery, The Knoll Group, John Berggruen Gallery and the Pacific Art League. She served on the board of the Women's Caucus for Art, the Pacific Art League and the Petaluma Arts Council. She was the National Exhibitions Director for the Women’s Caucus for Art, curator for UniteWomen.org, is a member of ArtTable, and the Northern California Representative for The Feminist Art Project (TFAP). She is a partner in Gutfreund Cornett Art, with the motto 'changing the world through art'. To date she has created over forty national exhibitions. Gutfreund has juried and advised on numerous exhibitions and is a mentor/ advisor to emerging artists. She creates exhibition catalogs for artists, art groups and galleries around the country. She has a BFA in Photographic Design and a BA in Art History, and a MA (pending) from New York University. Lastly, Gutfreund is a practicing artist and has exhibited extensively around the country. Gutfreund has lived in all four corners of the United States and is currently at her ranch outside of Yosemite in the Sierra Foothills.
It's All Love is a dialogue between me and mom around meals. For me food prep is a daily opportunity to be creative and an act of love. My mom started asking me to take a picture of the meals she felt were especially beautiful. While the ritual continues, this work is a snapshot of the past two years. The meals give her such happiness and I love how beautiful she looks when she delights in them. What a great joy. ~
Danielle Satinover
My work is a reflection of the simple joyful moments shared with our furry friends and as a reminder of the incredible impact pets have on our lives. I try to capture the warmth and delight with the joy they bring every day. ~ Beth Lakamp
What could be more fun than jumping off a low bridge into beautiful water on the North Shore of Oahu? So much laughter and joy. It was intoxicating to watch. I knew I had to paint it. ~ Janey Fritsche
This piece shares the joy of a mother cradling her child and spins around. The form was inspired by skates I saw gliding in the water. This work is about the joy of motherhood and play. ~ Laura Morrison
Color makes me happy. I breathe deeper and my heart expands in the presence of color and organic shapes. Joy arises with the vibrations of color.
~ Nancy Natow-Cassidy
BE HAPPY: BE is a series inspired by Vipassana Meditation and the teachings of S.N. Goenka. His consistent message throughout all his teachings is, Be Happy, Be Happy, Be Happy . This series is meant to encourage viewers to pursue their own happiness and all the other positive personalized possibilities BE. ~ Lucky Rapp
Few things lift one's spirits as high as a bouquet of balloons in the sky, full of sunlight and summer clouds, bobbling in the breeze. They are the essence of happiness. ~ Denise Howard
It seems we have forgotten how to access joy, precisely when we need it the most to navigate through the darkest of days. For me the rainbow serves as a hopeful reminder that joy is always there, hanging in the air around us, revealing itself when the conditions are right. That is why I embroider silk rainbows on to vintage photographs, postcards and now fans, as reminder to consciously manifest joy.
~ Marie Cameron
Resistance is the secret of joy moving forward despite obstacles, seemingly insurmountable odds and repeated defeats. As members of the larger living community nurtured by the Earth our mother, we creatures, star stuff animated by cosmic consciousness, find joy in continuing the work begun by our ancestors, creating song out of tears and laughter. ~ Lorraine Bonner
The deep intention of my art practice arises from my soul which is also the source that sparks love and delight. I want to bring all humanity together celebrating, sharing and dancing with each other. ~ Salma Arastu
My Ripple Effect series of wall Sculptures capture the spontaneous joy of childhood memories in the simple yet profound moment of a ball dropped into still water. This work evokes the boundless energy of childhood, where even the smallest act sparks wonder. Through these elements, I aim to celebrate pure, unfiltered joy and the beauty found in life s simplest moments. ~ Carla Goldberg
My work embodies the belief that joy is the antidote to hate and the most powerful energy we possess. Through my silk paintings, I seek to capture the vibrant beauty and light that exist in the world, offering moments of hope and inspiration. My work is my absolute joy, pouring out from within, and sharing it is deeply meaningful to me. ~ Mary-Jo Okawa
A night of child-like fun in the pool. After having been made uncomfortable by neighboring men, we escaped and returned to our innocence: playing mermaids, doing handstands, and staging underwater poses. We were able to be ourselves in the purest and silliest of ways. These photos capture moments of genuine, child-like joy with my friends. ~ Harper Hay
Since I can remember, I have been drawing to connect my inner self with the outer world. I didn’t t trust my voice, but the pencil pierced through the wall, connecting me with people. I aim to create work that sparks a little joy, a little hope and a little bit of playfulness, much like when we see bubbles floating around us at parks and parties. It is so simple and fun, brings up a smile, we want to touch and pop them. ~ Sophia Lee
This painting pertains to the theme of joy because it embodies the freedom of enjoying food without the restrictions that today's women have the pressure to maintain. This painting embodies the strength that it takes to practice joy in the face of societal pressures to look and behave a certain way. As the aesthetics of this painting confront the history of female portraiture defined by the male gaze, it also insights the viewer to seek joy as opposed to succumbing to the social pressures that are conducive to suffering. ~ Emilie Dashe
Gardening is a collection of joyful moments in this multipanel, whimsical work. The narrative invites the viewer to explore the idea that joy is accessible to all of us if we only plant the seeds and water the figurative garden. ~ Suki Liebow
This painting captures the quiet contentment of a man who despite the harsh realities of his life, finds a brief moment of solace. My goal was to convey that sudden happiness can emerge even in the most unexpected places and under the most vexing life circumstances. I believe the catalysts of true joy are of moral ambiguity. ~ Dan Alcaxzar
Nothing but joy in color and movement.
~ Tona Pearce-Myers
Each sculpture in this series ponders the idea of love and how great it is, plain and simple, as it exists within the moment of its aggregate materials.
~ Chris Wubbena
I can’t think of a time more uncomplicated and happier than the years I spent on roller skates. Exploring the neighborhood with my girl pals and skating to disco music at the rink was the closest thing to nirvana as a child.
~ Shannon Knowlton
My mixed-media paintings are metaphoric reliquaries that preserve my moments of connection and joy. They are intended to evoke a sense of celebration and rhythm, capturing the essence of a lively party where light, sound, and movement blend together. The artworks each start with a photograph from the queer dance parties that I attend. The images are collaged with paint, glitter and other materials on wood panels. Completed, only a breath of the photographs exists to symbolize how memories are recalled in half-forgotten, mystical ways from queer nightlife ecospheres. ~ James Jaxxa
Joy sneaks up on us, but you have to be present to notice it. In fact, it is in the noticing, that we actually experience it. When I paint, I watch what is happening, marveling at the way that water and pigment interact and move, stopping when beautiful imperfections and surprises take my breath away. In the end, each piece impacts the viewer in the same way that jazz or classical music can, going beyond words. ~ Anne Bedrick
My works range from wild abstracts with bold, vibrant colors, to emotional subtle abstracts that connect with a sense of harmony. In my journey as an artist, I paint what I feel, not what I see, capturing the spirit of conversation to communicate emotions, feelings and ideas that cannot be expressed in words. My art explores life in motion the beauty I see around me, a memory, or a dream.
~ Katy Bishop
These works explore the moments of pure joy and blissfulness as I wake up in the morning and stay wrapped up in the warmth of the messy blankets with my dog and partner. These moments have everything I could ever want my bed, my two loves, the softness of my sheets and fluffy dog’ s fur. ~ Olivia Cohen
Animals of fur and feather snuggle their babes close when they sleep. It is in our nature to do the same. The pair cuddle up in the glowing blue moonlight, illuminated by bioluminescence, sharing a sweet and tender moment. Nothing brings me more joy in my life than co-sleeping with our son. This painting seeks to convey the feeling of sweet mornings waking up with my babe in my arms and tender nights with the moon shining in the window of cuddling together to sleep. There is a sense with these magical moments that it is all outside-of-time and I portray mother and son as mermaids to bring the viewer into that realm along with me. This is a deep personal joy and one that matters to me to share as well.
~ Krisztina Lazar
My art celebrates disabled queer people sexy as we are. Mutual care is a core theme in my art, disrupting the perception of disabled people as a burden. My paintings show people with visible and invisible disabilities caring for each other. ~ Rachel Ungerer
Many of my paintings express joy because I am often inspired by nature and the pleasure it brings to experience being immersed in a natural place. I have been inspired to dance when I am delighted, whether it is just kicking up my heels or something less rowdy.
~ Kathleen Truax
My creative pursuit is healing and taps into moments of joy that may be ephemeral but deep. Exploring the spaces of the liminal mind while painting, brings mental balance, inner peace, and rejuvenation. ~ Lakshmi Sunder
My paintings and collages express joy through human connections, capturing emotions in moments of togetherness. Inspired by special events and milestones, I explore how joy emerges in gathering laughter, shared glances, and deep conversations.
~ Debra Shapiro
This piece is a celebration of the tenuousness of life as well as my appreciation and gratitude of its magnificence. Emily Dickinson, that master of temporality, connected mindfulness to joy over a century ago. What wisdom. Joy is an act of resistance. Joy is also an act of resilience. I painted this seesaw to acknowledge the highs and lows of life. I try to find interior beatitude whether I’m in a place I’d label contented or one that is terribly challenging. ~ Wendy Ackrell
Joy is a primary emotion that brings meaning to our lives. As a documentary photographer, trying to capture joy, I have noticed that joy and dancing accompany each other! I am drawn to children who express this emotion so honestly and organically with their bodies. My photographs depict moments of joy that I have encountered with my own children and others in the celebration of living. We all need to dance and play more to discover this irresistible joy. ~ Ann Kogen
My whole focus to painting is to express joy through my artwork. Hopefully this joy will touch and effect the viewer. One of the joyful aspects of the creative process, for me, is mixing colors. Colors come alive by their juxtaposition of one next to another. These paintings are an example of how I approach this method. ~ Molly Corbett
Sometimes joy can come from solitude. I really view joy as a moment of pure bliss. In my experience, the deepest sense of joy has always come in the calm after the storm when things finally feel like they will be okay. My work reflects a different feeling of joy. Sometimes joy feels hollow and forced. Other times it is the push you need to move forward. ~ Jade Butay
Keeping it Real, is a drawing of Sophia, my daughter at play. It is a mediation on the innocence and vulnerability of childhood. This drawing is from a series of pictures I did of my daughter at play, years ago, dipping into the complex and often contradictory experiences and emotions that come with having kids. Joy, anger, frustration, tenderness, humor and fear; all these things feed into the work somehow. ~ Stephen Namara
Sunshine Girl is based on one's choice to be bubbly and happy. Stemming from years of figure drawing, I was able to create this work in a burst of joy. The girl's patent leather red pumps, and sparkling tiara, are a testament to her choice to be peppy, upbeat, and proud of her femininity. ~ Jenny Reinhardt
My paintings are centered around themes of comfort, nostalgia, warmth, and joy. By using my own personal photographs as references when creating my autobiographical paintings, the process of painting allows me to immerse myself into fond memories and recall significant moments throughout my life. The final paintings serve as artifacts of my existence and joy. ~ Payton Brown
I receive great satisfaction from my artistic endeavors. The use of bright colors reflects my positive outlook on life. This exhibition has made me more keenly aware of all of my blessings in life. I hope that my art conveys some joy to all viewers. ~ Jonathan Gaber
Painting is an act of love. I paint from the heart, conceptualizing the joy and inherent pain of life into systems derived from nature. While painting I find beauty in the rush of technique and flow of subliminal instinct. To inspire awe and a sense of curiosity is my humble intent for viewers.
~Tara Austin
In days and nights that are fields of sadness and fear, I am determined to cherish moments of joy. I am committed to finding them, point them out and celebrate them. These moments of joy give me the sense of life and worth because if I don't, what's there to live for? ~ Rinat Goren
Wendy Ackrell
Dan Alcaxzar
Jose Agustin Andreu
Salma Arastu
Tara Austin
Delbar Azari
Jennifer Banzaca
Brandin Barón
Pablo Tapay Bautista
Anne Bedrick
Katy Bishop
Lorraine Bonner
Harry Boone
Payton Brown
Jade Butay
Marie Cameron
Vibrata Chromodoris
Jaime Coffey
Olivia Cohen
Molly Corbett
Sherri Cornett
Sena Clara Creston
Jonathan Crow
Emilie Dashe
Licita Fernandez
Janey Fritsche
Jonathan Gaber
Harriet Garfinkle
Featuring Artists:
Indigene Theresa Gaskin
Carla Goldberg
Rinat Goren
Kristen Guest
Laura Gurton
Sarah C.B. Guthrie
Marc Ellen Hamel
Harper Hay
Denise Howard
Scott Idleman
Ian James
James Jaxxa
Koon Hwee Kan
Shannon Knowlton
Ann Kogen
Mijin Kwon
Beth Lakamp
Krisztina Lazar
Sophia Lee
Suki Liebow
Marion Maenner
Michelle Mariano
Chandrika Marla
Kristine Mays
Dan McGarrah
Sheila Metcalf Tobin
Maidy Morhous
Laura Morrison
Stephen Namara
Nancy Natow-Cassidy
Katrina Niswander
Mary-Jo Okawa
Tona Pearce-Myers
Lucky Rapp
Ashley Ravidas
Jenny Reinhardt
Deborah K. Rich
Sawyer Rose
Karla Rossi
Paula Saslow
Danielle Satinover
Debra Shapiro
Sally Kristina Smith
Lakshmi Sunder
Tracy Swedlow
Renée Switkes
Linda Tapscott
Kathy Truax
Linda True
Rachel Ungerer
Victoria Veedell
Kay Weber
Raf Willems
Chris Wubbena
Umit Yalcinalp
Wendy Ackrell
Forever is Composed of Nows, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 x 1.5 inches, *online
Liquid Devil the Forever Joy, 2022, Oil on wood, 12 x 16 inches, *online
Jose Agustin Andreu
Community, 2019
Pigmented print on archival cotton rag paper, 300gsm 19.5 x 15.5 inches, *online
Salma Arastu
We Bring Joy Together-I, 2014, Steel sheet with patina, 10 x 12 x 4 inches, *gallery
Tara Austin
Octdala 4, 2023, Oil, acrylic and copper leaf on plexiglass, 36 x 36 inches, *gallery
Delbar Azari
Verdant, 2022, Plexiglass, polyester, wood, 36 x 36 x 3.5 inches, *online
Jennifer Banzaca
Corsage #2, 2023, Acrylic yarn on tufting fabric, 26 x 29 inches, *gallery
Brandin Barón
Sloane, Fountain, 2024, Paper, 21 x 17 inches (framed), *online
Pablo Tapay Bautista
Folsom Street Joy, 2024, Archival pigment print, 14 x 14 inches, *online
Places I've Never Been, 2023
on canvas, 48 x 36 x 1.5 inches, *online
Acrylic
Katy Bishop
WONDER, 2023, Alcohol ink on synthetic paper, 12 x 12 inches, *online
Lorraine Bonner
Joyful Noise, 2003, Bronze, 9.5 x 6 x 3 inches, *gallery
Coastal Places and Things: Beach Shapes #2, 2023
Acrylic and oil on wood panel, 8 x 10, 14 x 16 inches (framed), *online
Harry Boone
Ice Cream on the Beach, 2022, Oil on canvas, 40 x 30 x 1.5 inches, *gallery
Jade Butay
Happily Ever After, 2022, Archival fine art paper, 16 x 24 inches, *gallery
In Case of Malaise Fan Joy, 2024 Silk thread and organza on rehabilitated antique mother of pearl fan 14 x 18 x 1, 16 x 22 x 3 inches framed, *gallery
Marie Cameron
Vibrata Chromodoris
Amulet of Joy, 2024, Acrylic on shaped MDF panel, 23.75 x 23.75 inches, *online
Jaime Coffey
Vision, 2022, Egg tempera on clayboard, 12 x 12 inches, *gallery
Olivia Cohen
Cheek To Cheek, 2024, Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches, *gallery
Molly Corbett
Fancy Blue, 2018, Acrylic on canvas, 45 x 15 x 1.5 inches, *gallery
Sherri Cornett
Enfolded, 2006, Steel, fabric, 31 x 14 x 9 inches, *gallery
Sena Clara Creston
Knight Bikes, 2022, Print, 17 x 21 inches, *gallery
Jonathan Crow
Backyard in Yellow, 2024, Oil on panel, 14 x 11 inches, *gallery
Dashe
Emilie
Ladies Night, 2023, Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches, *online
Licita Fernandez
Hot Summer Night, 2023, Oil on canvas, 22 x 28 inches, *online
One Two Three! 2018, Oil on cradled birch, 36 x 36 x 1.5 inches, *gallery
Jonathan Gaber
Thirty D, 2023, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 x 1.5 inches, *gallery
Dancing in the Water, 2024, Mixed media on panel, 12 x 18 inches, *online
