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Next General Membership Meeting

Friday, July 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 PM

Join us for our monthly membership meeting (almost always held the first Friday of the month) at the Pinole United Methodist Church. Since we outgrew our Art Center Classroom, this has become our usual meeting place. It is located at 2000 San Pablo Avenue, in Pinole...(Make a right just past the Bust Stop Mural if you are coming up out of Old Town Pinole towards Appian Way).

Joining us this month is Marin County's painter - Jane Kiskaddon. She is going to share her unique, dreamy, fantastical art with us. Some of her works involve and three-D style that is whimsical and exciting. Jane tells us a bit about herself: "I grew up in San Francisco and attended the SF Art Institute. I live in San Rafael in the marsh near the bird ponds. My two children have flown the coop. Every now and then I take my Airstream trailer around the Western US gathering inspiration." For more about Jane or her artwork, come meet her in person (or visit her website ).

Next month we will welcome Kelsey Rahmgren. She is finishing up her degree in Graphic Arts from San Jose State and will be sharing her portfolio with us as she looks forward to her career in the field of Graphic Arts.
We would also like to encourage you to bring artwork to share - at least one piece to enter for peer awards. Bring new pieces to show us what you have been working on, or old favorites. Ribbons that you win from peer awards can be hung next to artwork entered into Art Center Gallery Shows.

Letter From The President's Desk

Letter from the President

I'm so pleased to be letting you all know that at a regular City Council meeting on June 16, 2009 the Pinole City Council, following the recommendations of City staff, approved the complete funding for our glass bead mosaic project of seven mosaics behind the Civic Center/City Offices building. Soon we will begin the process of determining the subject matter of the mosaics. After approval of the subject matter, we will create about ten preliminary designs for the mosaics and complete the seventh mosaic by filling with clear resin the mosaic of the Seal of the City of Pinole. Upon approval and selection of six preliminary designs by the city, we will do final designs and then begin construction of the art pieces themselves. All Pinole Artisans are invited to participate in each stage of the project. Please let me know in person or by email how you would like to participate and help on the project. I want to thank Joan and Semion for the initial work done, and Roy, Vickie and Jean for attending the City Council with Joan and me and supporting us publicly by their presence at the meeting. Way to go, everyone. It's going to be an exciting summer and fall indeed.

Our participation in the Pro Arts Open Studios weekends in June (June 6-7 and June 13-14) were both relaxing and exciting. Over two weekends we had about 250 individuals view our art and jewelry displays.
Our next regular membership meeting is Friday, July 3rd at the Pinole United Methodist Church at 7:00 pm. The evening will feature a presentation by Marin County artist, Jane Kiskaddon, who will share her art with us. Jane's paintings have a dreamy, fantasy quality. Some involve a three-D style. Note that our next Board Meeting is Thursday, July 2nd at 7:00 pm in our classroom at the Art Center. All Board meetings are open to any member of Pinole Artisans. If there is a matter you would like to address or discuss, please contact me in advance to be put on the agenda.

We continue working with the City of Pinole on painting an expansive mural about Pinole and its historic sites at the San Pablo Avenue bus stop. Discussion remains ongoing. We will keep you informed when we learn something new.
.

Ira Nelken
President
Pinole Artisans

UPDATED 07-01-09

Pinole Artisan Foundation Events & Information

Artisans ! As we welcome the first few days of triple digit summer heat and the Fourth of July Holiday is quickly approaching, we enter another busy month for the Pinole Artisans.

This month we have a new Gallery Show being installed with the Grand Opening to be held Saturday, July 11th from 1:00-4:30 PM. Stop by the Pinole Art Center (2221 Pear Street) to see "The Magic of Color".

The Library Show "Lazy Days of Summer" will be installed July 22nd. Stop by anytime thereafter to see how the California Summers inspire our local artists. The show opens July 23rd with the Reception being held Wednesday, August 12th from 7:00-8:00 PM. Whether you are a member, a fellow artist, or just an art lover, join us for light refreshments and meet some of the Pinole Artisans behind the work. Stop by the Art Center if you want a few postcards to mail to friends.
The AC5 and G-TAC sponsored workshop was held at the Art Center a couple of weeks ago. It was a very informative session about developing a vision and setting goals for yourself as an artists, as a business, as an organization. We talked about marketing strategies, about business objectives, and more. It helps give us the tools we need to sit down and really think about what it is we want as artists and how to develop a plan to get us there. We are planning a follow-up session in 1 years time.
Flyers will soon be ready for distribution. Those of you who signed up to help Cheryl and the Publicity Committee pass out flyers, you should be hearing from her soon, if you haven't already.

UPDATED 07-01-09

A Note from your Pinole Art Center Manager

Artisans ! Greetings Artisans,

     The Pro Arts Event is over and it was successful, albeit not as lucrative as last year. The space at 1360 Fitzgerald turned out to be a good one, with 50-60 visitors per day. Setting up was a lot of work and for future shows will need a lot more hands to make it work, Most of the people who came were those personally invited by the artists! Foot traffic in the area was heavier than I anticipated, and we gained some names of people who wanted to become better acquainted with us. No one indicated to us that they had come as a result of Pro Arts advertising. I believe that our signs and balloons were a good attractant, and all but the balloons can be used again. We will be considering all these facts as we think ahead to future special shows.
     "Celebrating Life" has been a good show, despite fewer artists exhibiting. GREAT THANKS to all non-exhibiting artists who pitched in and worked shifts in order to keep our doors open.
     "The Magic of Color" will open on FRIDAY JULY 10. Take In for this Show is TUESDAY JULY 7, and the Grand Opening is SATURDAY JULY 11 from 1-4:30 PM. Have fun with this title and make your colors pop!

Joan Landis
Art Center Manager

UPDATED 07-01-09

Poet’s Corner

WHILE WORKING THE GALLERY (c) Claire J. Baker

A talkative young man
talks & talks. When he
grabs the doorknob to leave,
he predicts the world will end
July 16, 2009...It is now

June 25th. We hadn't thought
this day of that scenario.
(Gee, a whole three weeks away)!
The gallery had been quiet.
Now artworks whimper & quake.
He keeps repeating
"You will know."

"You will know"
echoes lopsidedly.
Maybe all we will know is
that death is not too big
a price to pay for the artful
adventure of having lived.
And having created
works of art..................

Commentary by Claire J. Baker

This poem is what poets call "a found poem," a sudden stirring-of-the-moment that zooms into the poet's pen...a little spark of Yes, I'll write that. It often comes in a scrap of overheard conversation or in a printed phrase, e.g., Have You Lost Your Dog? or Silence in the Courtroom -- whatever sparks...I used odd stanza breaks to mimic the oddness of this actual encounter, harmless we gallery sitters presumed, yet it gave us pause...But, whomever you were, thanks anyway for those three ominous words which kindled a poem which can be read by anyone who survives July 16th, 2009.

June Peer Awards

1st Place: A two-way-tie...

Janie Chambers for her Watercolor "Looking and Day Dreaming"

Roy Javellana for his Wood Carving "Love Under"

2nd Place: Michelle Burgess for her Oil Painting "Highway"

3rd Place: A two-way-tie...

The McCaskey's for their Bead Creation "Basta"

Judy Cressa for her Watercolor "Cornflakes"

Congrats to all of you who have received awards for you art. Doesn't it feel great to share your artwork and know that other people are connecting with it?! Don't forget that each month we encourage you to bring your artwork to share at each membership meeting, where we will do peer awards. We also welcome you to hang your ribbons next to art that you enter into Gallery Shows.

Important Dates To Remember

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009: Board of Directors Meeting, 7:00 PM at the Pinole Art Center Classroom
Friday, July 3rd, 2009: Monthly Membership Meeting 7:00 PM at the Pinole United Methodist Church Guest Speaker Jane Kiskaddon.
Friday, August 7th, 2009: Monthly Membership Meeting 7:00PM Guest Speaker Kelsey Rahmgren
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009: In-Take for the next Gallery show from 10:30- 4:30
Thursday, July 9th, 2009: Last day of the Gallery Show "Celebrating Life" & Installation of the new show "The Magic of Color"
Saturday, July 11th, 2009: Grand Opening of the new Gallery Show "The Magic of Color" from 1:00 - 4:30 PM
Mon. & Tues., July 19th& 20th, 2009: Intake for the Library show "Lazy Days of Summer" by appointment at the Resso residence (510.758.3558 to make an appointment).
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009: Library Show Change-Over (Make sure you stop by to see the current show before it comes down on Wednesday...then come back and see the new show on Thursday). If you are in the current show, pick up your work at the Library at 1:00 PM July 22nd, at which time you can also help install the new show.
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009: Pinole - Hercules Joint Chamber of Commerce Mixer tentatively scheduled to be held at the Art Center from 5:30-7:30 PM.
Friday, August 7th, 2009: Monthly Membership Meeting 7:00 PM Guest Speaker Kelsey Rahmgren.
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009: Library Show Reception 7:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, August 20th, 2009: Business Expo sponsored by the Pinole Chamber of Commerce to be held at the new Pinole Shores Business Park from 4:00-8:00 PM. Admission free to the Public. Come by to check out local businesses and restaurants. and stop by the Pinole Artisans booth.
Thursday, September 10th, 2009: Last day of the Gallery Show "The Magic of Color."
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009: Last day of the Library Show "Lazy Days of Summer."

Help Wanted

I have sold paintings, completed commissions and attended countless lessons and workshops. Nothing has given me a bigger thrill than to hear a nine-year-old child say "I couldn't sleep last night, I was so excited about coming to art class."

If we are to present ourselves as an organization whose primary purpose is to promote the visual arts in Pinole, it's time to address the needs of the youngsters in our town. Our kids need art. And they are not going to get it in public schools. No enough, and not right now anyway.

In spite of all of our limitations, I want to encourage anyone with the smallest interest in offering a children's class after school or on weekends, to talk to me. I will help you set it up, promote it and point you in the direction of oodles of information. When I decided I wanted to start a children's class, I cornered every teacher I knew and asked lots of questions. "What do kids enjoy? What projects have you tried? Where can I find books, magazines, and ideas for projects?" I volunteered to help with classes in the library and after school programs. Soon I had gathered enough materials and lesson plans to try it out. I promised Joan I would do all the preparation if she would help, and she did, of course. Some of you may remember the three summers that the Pinole Artisans "Art Buddies" program provided art projects for the Youth Center summer campers on Friday afternoons. We had several members gather in the park and set up tables and teach the kids to paint, cut, glue, make collages, rainsticks, and flags. It was wonderful!

The requirements are few: A desire to introduce the joys of art to children. Patience, a sense of humor, and a love of children. The rest will fall into place. You do not need to be a certified teacher or a great artist. You do need to be able to put together a plan and follow through, show up with materials, and have another adult with you at all times (two is our rule). This is not a volunteer gig. You can charge for your time and expenses. I have a long waitlist of children who have expressed an interest, but I've had no room in my class. I also cannot be there every Saturday. I will not be offering classes in June or July, and when I told my students this, they let out a loud, dramatic whine that could be heard in the gallery.

We need more children's art teachers! Please think it over, and call me if I can help encourage and support you in any way.

- Vickie Resso
(510) 758-3558