ART VIEW Studio Tour and More

By Jim Christiansen

Stanislaus Artist Open Studio is April 15 and 16, with over 50 local artists participating. Maps are available online or pickup at Mistlin Gallery and, the Chartreuse Muse in Modesto, Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the local artists in the settings where they work, a more splendid view of the body of work and media they work with, and other interests beyond the one to five works you might see in a gallery group show. At some locations, there will be demonstrations, snacks, and refreshments, and in most studios, art for sale: Saturday and Sunday hours, 11 AM to 5 PM. Pick up an Open Studio map in advance and plan your trip for the art and artists that interest you, as the full roster of artists is likely impossible to see in total over the 2-day event. Stanislaus Artist Open Studio is a FREE. Look for the location and street signs and pay attention to what areas the artists have open to view and which are restricted. My home studio is more relaxed this year but still on the alley, so again, look for the signs and join us for a weekend of art. To download a map, see www.stanislausaos.com

Downtown at the galleries, The Chartreuse Muse features a collaboration with the San Joaquin Potters Guild featuring ceramic and works in clay in the Throw Down show. I noticed some new Jonathan Troxler paintings in the windows and the Artfully Yours collections available at the counter.

At Mistlin Gallery, the Young at Art show in March concluded with over 300 entries. April will feature a member artist show with the theme Love Modesto. Not to be confused with the official Love Modesto volunteer event, the artists bring their images of how they see Modesto.

ArtWalk is on April 20. I started the

March Third Thursday path at the State Theatre, where artist Kristy Moore is doing Face Painting for visitors. Kristy is also doing Art classes at the Queen Bean on Tuesdays and be hosting the Paint and Sip evenings at the MoPride Center. Karen Bobot was the other artist, with her exciting mosaic works, and will be one of the artists opening at the new gallery in Knights Ferry. I stopped at Dragonfly Art for Life, where Patrick Barr and other studio/gallery members were creating.

Susan Rossman is the featured artist at Kruse-Lucas gallery on Tully. While in the MJC area, check the progress on the new student murals in the Art Department and MJC art gallery. Consider a class as a regular or adult education student. A highlight for March was the Latinx Comic Arts Festival at the Mary Stuart Rogers building on the West Campus, complete with a car show and an excellent roster of featured artists. I hope this event returns.

The KD Sigman media studios, the site of the Modesto Conservatory of Music, Art, and Theater held its public opening on March 18 and is available for artist’s application for the art exhibition and a full media array in art creation, promotion, and future events. In the Kansas Business Park and has an entrance for suite 1111 on Lone Palm Avenue. Check-in with Kaila Kindley if interested.