October 2015

mercedarthop.org l This Inspiration

Artist of the Quarter

10.17.2015

MAH

della salas

Inside : United Way | New MAH Space | Art Events Calendar

About Us Dear Reader and Art Enthusiast, As we draw closer to our 8th year with the Merced arts community, the Merced Art Hop has been able to take incredible stride in recent months to help continue our mission to grow both the presence of the arts and commerce in the downtown area.

From the long hours spent growing the Quarterly Art Hop until it became the #1 downtown event as voted by the Main Street business community, to the recent expansion to our new location on Canal Street that will allow us to host workshops, classes, gallery space, office space, fundraisers and receptions that will help increase the prominence of the arts, the tireless work of our many volunteers and support from patrons of the arts such as yourself have continued to pay dividends for the Merced community. As such, we would like to offer our gratitude to everyone from the volunteers helping our nonprofit and the artists who continually produce new work each quarter to the countless Mercedians who have helped by donating or purchasing items from our various fundraisers and the local business who have helped us grow into the organization we are today.

Kevin Hammon & Kimberly Zamora Art Hop Co-Founders

FIND US WEBSITE : www.MercedArtHop.org FACEBOOK : www.Facebook.com/DowntownMAH TWITTER : www.Twitter.com/MercedArtHop EMAIL : Kimberly@MercedArtHop.org ADVERTISING : 209-560-MAH1 MAILING ADDRESS : Post Office Box 3351 Merced, CA 95344 2

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PUBLISHER Kevin Hammon EDITORIAL

John Miller

MARKETING Kevin Hammon DESIGN Kimberly Zamora Creative Director Chloe Peterson

Graphic Designer

PHOTOGRAPHY John Miller PRINT Brightdart Print & Design EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kimberly Zamora PRESIDENT/CEO Kevin Hammon BOARD MEMBERS Jared Covert Desiree Flores Herrera Kimberly Zamora Kevin Hammon Notice of CopyrightŠ All materials contained within the Merced Art Hop Quarterly publication are protected by copyright unless otherwise stated, or in the case of any provided materials, the owner of that content retains the copyright. You may not alter, reproduce, distribute, publish, transmit or broadcast any material contained within the Merced Art Hop Quarterly publication without prior consent from the Merced Art Hop Board or other copyright owner. Merced Art Hop Quarterly takes care to ensure that all information is correct at the time of printing; however the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained within the publication or advertisements. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or editorial staff.

ARTIST OF THE QUARTER PAGE 6

THE MAP PAGE 8

Contents

UNITED WAY

NEW MAH SPACE

ARTS CALENDAR

PAGE 12

PAGE 11

PAGE 14

7

years

As the Merced Art Hop celebrates our 7th year bringing art lovers and local artists together in the Downtown Merced area, we’ve begun to look ahead as we ready ourselves to move into our 8th year. In an effort to expand our efforts in the arts community and continue advocating for the growth of the arts, creativity, inspiration, and expression, our quarterly magazine has redoubled its efforts to become a larger voice for the artistic community of Merced. As the Merced Art Hop organization continues to grow, so does our need for the room we operate with. With the recent acquisition of a permanent new home for the Merced

Art Hop and its many artists, our new space on Canal Street will serve organizational need for new offices, as well as artist’s needs through the addition of classroom spaces and gallery space. Located in the heart of Downtown Merced, the new space has energized everyone involved as we continue our work to reaffirm the important role the arts play in many individuals’ lives and the crucial role it plays in our community. These recent strides in growth, coupled with our continued pursuit of new patrons of the arts, will help to ensure that the arts will continue to expand in Merced for generations to come.

Della Salas : Are the lessons and knowledge Q you got from Judy Lynn still something that stick with you?

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: How long have you been creatQ ing your artwork? How did you get into it?

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: I’ve probably been creating art for the last 10 years. I got into it when my friend and I, and couple others, decided to first take some classes out at the college. We took them with Judy Lynn, who was an absolutely wonderful teacher. We had done that for about 5 years, and then Judy Lynn had passed away, and I kind of lost my desire to paint after that. She was really my driving force and mentor.

: How did you get your desire Q back after something like that happening?

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: It is kind of a come and go thing for me. I don’t create work all the time, and so when life isn’t interrupting, that’s when I will work. I do it in large part because of the Art Hop now, to always have something new for each Art Hop. A new card of some sort.

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: I have one piece in particular that I’m very fond of that I had done during her class, and when I took it to Judy and told her I was finished, she asked ‘are you sure?’

I told her ‘yes I’m sure’ and she responded saying ‘okay, if you like that unfinished quality.’ So now, every time I paint something, I look at it and think ‘okay now what would Judy say — finished or unfinished?’ So fond memories of her like that still stick with me.

: What kind of mediums do you Q use for the work you have at the Art Hop?

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: I do watercolor, pastel, and I just started with acrylics. I guess those three for the most part. I would say that pastels are my favorite and I seem to be able to do those well. Watercolors are very unforgiving. I just started with acrylics again, and I like those because if I don’t like how it’s coming out, I can just go back over and redo it.

: Is there any subject matter you Qfocus on in your body of work?

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: I do whatever it is that I find myself liking when I see it. I prefer flowers and animals. I’ve tried people but I do have a hard time with people.

: How long does it Q typically take you to complete a piece? : I think I work faster with A the pastels than I do with watercolors. My Little Mermaid piece I did in a single evening, but then I also just did an acrylic that took me a little over a month. So some pieces are quick and others take quite some time.

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: Why do you continue to create art? : It’s a type of therapy for me. I like doing it, and it really calms my mind. I was thrilled the first time I had a blue ribbon at the fair, and then when the Art Hop started I began making cards, and now I have a few people who come back every Art Hop to see my new work. It’s really encouraging. I don’t consider myself an artist by any means, but it’s just really fun for me.

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: Have there been any people Q that have come down during the Art Hop to see your work that stand out? : I had a little girl one time who asked me ‘can you make me a Monet?’ She was maybe about

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8 years old. I had told her ‘well I’ll certainly try, and if you come back next Art Hop I’ll have it for you.’

Sure enough she did, and she was absolutely delighted, and I was just thrilled that some who’d asked me to do something loved the work so much. I also have quite a few college students who come by frequently. : Where can art lovers view your Qwork?

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: During the Art Hop I’ll be showing here in the Merced Antique Mall as I have since the Art Hop started nearly 8 years ago. I’ve only missed one Art Hop during that time.

My work is also here on display any time that the Merced Antique Mall is open as well.

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CSU Stanislaus Art Club Gallery showing 20 Artists New MAH Location 1733 Canal St.

United Way After two months of work from more than half a dozen artists working together, the United Way of Merced is pleased to reveal the new murals adorning the walls of their largest conference room. The fours murals are the results of the combined efforts of artists Dob Francise, Janell Barnes, Kimberly Zamora, and the Mariposa Art Company, and will be unveiled during a special event as part of the Art Hop. Residents are invited to stop by to view the large works throughout the night.

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MaH Gets a New Home

The Merced Art Hop has a new home base to operate from in the heart of Merced’s vibrant downtown district.

Located at 1733 Canal Street on the ground floor of the Stefani Building, the new two-level location will help the Merced Art Hop continue to expand their efforts to enrich the City of Merced with the arts. In addition to providing much needed office space for the organization to complete day to day tasks, the new space is being setup with the local art community’s needs in mind as well.

The ground floor will serve as a gallery space that will provide an additional venue for many artists to put their art on display in a public manner.

Coupled with the spaces intent to hold fundraiser and receptions for outside organizations, the additional gallery space in Merced provides a unique opportunity for local artists to show off the best pieces from their body of work to a wide-variety of local residents.

Additional space is on the first level will serve as an area for local artists to learn from one another through the hosting of special workshops.

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Those who make their way down to the lower level of the new location will be greeted with a room setup similar to that of a classroom. This area will serve as a place for artists to collaborate through shared space and resources for their various mediums. Additional lower level space will be used to host regular classes that will cover a variety of subjects and mediums, allowing Merced artists the opportunity to continuously hone their skills and keep them sharp.

To get a sneak peak at the new space, artists and supporters alike are encouraged to stop by during the Art Hop or mark their calendar for the January 2016 grand opening. Once opened, the new location will also serve as the drop off location for the current fundraisers put on by Merced Art Hop organizers, including the local favorite “Rummage Sale for the Arts” and the new “Pop-up Store Fundraiser” that stocks the mobile store inside of the Merced Art Hop truck with unwanted household items and clothing donated from community members looking for an easy way to support the local arts.

Art is Important Because...

"It gives children a chance to express themselves when they have no language to support that need."

"You can express your feelings and inspire people."

"It expresses what the mind cannot."

"Without art there would not be creativity, and without creativity there would be nothing to imagine...

Without art the world would be dull."

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Merced Fine & Performing Arts

Events Calendar

Merced County Arts Council 10/17/15 - 12/7/15 MCAC Arts Center 645 W. Main St. — Retrospective of Costume Design by Dunya Ramicova 11/19/15 @7:30PM MCAC Arts Center 645 W. Main St. — Men of Worth at the Merced Arts Center direct from a World Tour! Enjoy a lively blend of humor, exciting tunes, & heartfelt ballads!

12/4/15 & 12/5/15 MCAC Arts Center 645 W. Main St. — Holiday Artisan Fair

Playhouse Merced 10/23/15 - 11/1/15 — A live stage adaptation of one of the most popular horror movies of all time but with a slight comedic twist.

Merced College Arts 10/26/15 9:30AM-2PM — Una Mjurka, Ceramic Sculpture, Mon-Thurs, through 11/19/15, Reception 10/28/15 @6PM Nov. 19*, 20, 21@7:30PM, Nov. 22@2PM Merced College Theater — Suijin and the Kappa, $10 General, $8 Students, Seniors & Military, *Special $5 student price Thurs, Nov.19 11/30/15 9:30AM-2PM Merced College Art Gallery — Merced College Fine Arts Faculty Exhibit, Mon-Thurs, through 12/10/15, Reception 12/2/15 @6PM 12/4/15@7:30PM Merced College Theater — Merced College Jazz Ensemble, $8 in Advance, $10 at the Door, $8 Students, Seniors & Military

Merced Shakes 1/22/16 - 01/31/16 Merced College Theater — First all-female production of the Roman Tragedy "Julius Caesar", in collaboration with Merced College

Merced Symphony Association 11/20/15 @7:30PM Merced Theatre 301 W. Main St. — Ming Luke conducts the orchestra in Sonic Landscapes: Eight Seasons with Vivaldi & Piazzola (Argentinean tango flair). Incredibly inventive, this program is spectacular with fiery melodies & great soloists!

Merced Theatre 11/21/15 @7:30PM — The Way We Were: A Musical Tribute to Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra 12/11/15 @7PM — KIDZ BOP Kids: Make Some Noise Tour 14

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Want to win

How about a chance to professionally produce your song?

We are looking for original lyrics and a fresh tune!

Entries will be accepted at WriteaSongForTheBus.com Monday, October 5 through Monday, November 16, 2015.

Win $500 Cash! Plus, an opportunity to produce your song in a professional recording studio. All music genres are welcome!

For more information, visit WriteaSongForTheBus.com

Enter the Merced the Bus Song Writing Contest.