Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2020

“You’re not hungry, you’re bored,” says the note-to-self on his fridge. Like most of us, John Perpinan is trying to survive this time as best he can. He came up with a fun idea for the Art Gallery that he took over from Lorenzo De Santis eight months ago. The Historic Town of Bodega Art Gallery is open Thursday through Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 17255 Bodega Hwy.
A true Sonoma County experience, where you can try local wines and pairings, enjoy art and even stay for the night in a nearby cabin. Stop by or come as a small group
with an appointment.
You can look
forward to...
When you need to get out of the house one of the many inspiring things to do on our Sonoma/Mendocino Coast is to take a drive into our beautiful backroads. Many of them are paved, some are dirt, and some are, in places, one lane. Naturally we take the familiar road. So true in life!
Wine tasting meets Art
But these backroads take you into the unknown and unforgettable sites and views. One such road is Tin Barn Road which offers glimpses of the Odiyan Buddest Temple that are mouth dropping. The beginnings of this retreat center was started in 1975 and today has many temples and gardens. When
I lived in Annapolis I could see the amazing temples, a real treat. For more information and photos visit them at https://odiyan.org/
For a half day exclusive tasting with a group
of 10 or less, the rate is $200. You can also make $50 appointments for less time with a partner. Contact (707)791-5162.
Connected to the Odiyan Retreat Center is the Ratna Ling Retreat Center. I spoke with Rosalyn White about their many online teachings offering resident and guest speakers teaching yoga, meditations, QiGong, Kum Nye, mindfulness, and dharma talks. She said ‘they have beautiful facilities, gardens, lands, and views but what is most important is keeping the true focus.’ Please check the website for all the updated offerings at ratnaling.org.
Please remember when traveling these roads that people live out here. Drive slow, pull over when you want to check out a view or to let folks pass.
Original signed
photos of Jeanne-
Claude and Christo’s
“Running Fence”
installation. Coming soon - a newly acquired 60-foot panel from that 1972- 1976 project, which was 18 feet high and 24.5 miles long in total. If you’re not familiar with their work, each art project was unique, impressive, large-scale and temporary. Christo, 84, just passed on May 31. “Artists don’t retire. They die. That’s all. When they stop being able to create art, they die,” said Jeanne- Claude before she passed away in 2009.
At Bodega’s Historic Art Gallery, you will find wine barrel furniture, jewelry from Afghanistan, Hitchcock memorabilia and photobooth, art, hats, ceramics, raw gemstones for individual creativity, plus a vintage section.
A shout out to the Aging In Community group for their gift
of $1000 from the Coastal Hills Community Project for their programs for the aging population. They group has worked diligently to support physical and social needs through exercise classes, social gatherings, food programs, and medical assistance. Thank you a million for all your work for the community
It is a passion project for Perpinan and his daughter. “We’re not in the business to pay the mortgage, we’re in it to have fun and provide fun.”
The Bodega Gallery is meant to be alive and engaging with an interactive environment. This gallery is “not stiff-collared, following you with a duster.”
Perpinan lived on Florence Avenue in Sebastopol for ten years, raising five children on his own. His youngest is now 17. He was a contractor, and only does minimal construction work now. Someday he would like to build a house out near the town of Bodega to be closer to the shop and community. John will eventually pass it completely to his daughter Tiffany Perpinan as it’s already all in her name.
As things open up in our communities continue to be safe by wearing a mask. Please! Check out these many places for things to do on our coast:
Calling for Artists
Perpinan is looking for new local artists to showcase. He also would love for people to come paint St. Teresa de Avila from out in front of the shop. There is a lovely landscape waiting to be captured. The more perspectives and styles the merrier. In addition, there is an overwhelming need for more advertising and Perpinan wants to collaborate with other artists and businesses to make roadside signs.
The Gallery could use some local help with technical things. First Perpinan needs an online-savvy contractor for website design. He also runs a photobooth that could use a photoshop technician, part-time with split commission. Contact bodegaartgallery@gmail.com for more information.
Gualala Art Center: hgualalaarts.org
Point Arena Lighthouse: pointarenalighthouse.com Point Arena Theater: renatheater.org
Action Network: actionnetwork.info
And remember all our parks to get out and walk.
Many blessings to each of you.
July 15 ~ Sonoma Coast Municipal Advisory
Council Meeting. Agenda and location will be published on the website and posted at the meeting site at least 72 hours before the meeting date.
INFO: http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Coastal-Municipal-
Advisory-Council/Calendar/ and Elise VanDyne at Elise.VanDyne@sonoma-county.org. 707.565.2241
Need part-time work?
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