Page 66 - Sonoma County Gazette Oct. 2019

By Vesta Copestakes
I grew up thinking of myself as an artist. I drew, I wrote stories, I played the
Oct 1 - Nov 13 ~ Emerging Pomo Artists
~ Exhibition of innovative fiber art by 12 local artists: wearable art, art quilts, collage & more. Free, 10a-9p, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol
piano. Those are all ART talents. But after going to Tyler School of Fine Arts for two years, I watched as my older classmates graduated and went off to work for the post office or advertising agencies. Commercial art. Not Fine Art. It was a pivotal realization that making a living as an artist is elusive at best. I was totally aware of the term “starving artist.” But I had dreams nonetheless.
~ Contemporary Native Paintings, baskets, photography. Free, Steele Lane Community Center, 415 Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-543-3282, pomoproject.org
Thru - Oct 6 ~ “Paintings ~ Sculptures”
My “Retirement Dream” is to be
the artist, musician, and writer I was when I was 15, still dreaming, and before I became responsible for my own survival. By the end of my sophomore year in college I was having a hard time paying rent, and feeding myself.
It became obvious that making a living was more important than creating art.
Oct 3 - Nov 3 ~ Alchemy ~ National juried exhibition. Expressing dreams, desires, mysteries. Free, Wed-Mon: 11a- 5p, Arts Guild of Sonoma, 140 E Napa St, Sonoma, artsguildofsonoma.org
Susan Proehl & Susan Stover - Exhibition. Free, Graton Gallery, 9048 Graton Rd, Graton, 707-829-8912, Graton Gallery, gratongallery.net
Oct 3 ~ October Sonoma Art Walk ~ Enjoy music, art, poetry and dance supporting local. Light bites & delicious sips to share. Free, 5p-7:30p, Sonoma Plaza, 1 The Plaza Sonoma, Sonoma, 707-996-1033, sonomaartwalk. org/, carmen@sonomachamber.org
Oct 12- 20 ~ Art in the Barn Returns ~ We are re-opening the art barns at Scenic Knoll Ranch for two weekends. Ladies series & related art. Free, 11a-5p, Scenic Knoll Ranch, 4760 Bloomfield Rd, Petaluma, 415-464-1007, Ayris Hatton, ayrishatton.com, art@ayrishatton.com
Oct 12 - 20 ~ Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studios ~ The oldest juried open studio tour in the country celebrating our 35th year. Free, Sonoma County, 707- 829-4797, sonomacountyarttrails.org
Continuing Shows
Oct 4 - Oct 27 ~ PPQG Quilt Challenge ~ Exhibition ~ The 2019 Challenge is “One Red Square.” Free, Gualala Arts Center, 46501 Old State Hwy, Gualala, gualalaarts.org
Oct 4 - Oct 7 ~ Remembrance & Celebration of Life of Ron Sackman - Exhibition ~ Free, Weekdays: 10a-4p, Sat & Sun: 12p-4p, 10a-4p, Gualala Arts Center, 46501 Old State Hwy, Gualala, gualalaarts.org
Oct 5 - Nov 17 ~ Melissa McCann and Andrea Allen ~ Exhibition ~ Melissa McCann’s Fused Glass and Andrea Allen’s Chinese Brush Painting & Scrolls. Free, Gualala Arts Center - Dolphin Gallery, 46501 Old State Hwy, Gualala, gualalaarts.org
Oct 8 - Nov 10 ~ Bruce K. Hopkins ~ Outside in & Chris Cheek ~ Sight Poems with Guest Artists Shook C. Chung & Corrine Haverinen. Free, Tue- Sat: 10:30a-5p, Sun 10:30a-4p, Graton Gallery, 9048 Graton Rd, Graton, 707- 829-8912, Graton Gallery, gratongallery. net, info@gratongallery.net
Oct 28 - Dec 2 ~ In Stitches: Innovation
VISUAL ARTS cont’d on page 71
Many of the artists you find on annual
Art Trails and Art at the Source Open
Studio days are people who shared this same experience. They were always creative and dreamed of the day when they would be able to create without
the burden of financing their lives. Some rare people actually made a living all along...but they are so rare you would recognize their names
(Rik Olson, Studio #85 - Fine Tree Care artist on the back page of the Gazette!).
The rest are people who are just as true artists as famous people because they never stopped creating. That defines a “real” artist to me. Someone who never stopped. They just HAVE to make art.
You will find many of these dedicated artists on Art Trails. The wonder is to enter their personal lives by going into their studios to see how they live and create. What an immense delight and privilege to experience their creativity and let it inspire you with the awe that comes from being in the realm of a person who just HAS to create. They really have no choice.
Take this journey October 12-13 & 19-20
Pick up the catalog and flip the pages to find artists that inspire your curiosity. TAKE THE TIME to be inspired by creative people. And if you
can, find a place on the wall, a place in the garden, a place in your house to bring something home with you to change your environment with an artists’ creation. It’s money well-spent for the gift it gives you every day.
VISIT Studios #61 and #122!
THANK YOU Marylu Downing and Evelyn Nitzberg
for placing an ad to support the Gazette’s dedication to the Arts every month in our pages! Marylu exhibits at Graton Gallery in Graton, and Evelyn is available throughout the year by appointment. Mutual support is very much appreciated!
Artwork from the Emerging Pomo Artists: Native Themes Art Exhibit.
66 - www.sonomacountygazette.com -10/19