Songs of Earth, Sea, Fire, and Air by Ellen Speert

by Patricia Frischer

Songs of Earth, Sea, Fire, and Air by Ellen Speert   can be seen Jan 23 - March 7, 2018 at Encinitas City Hall (505 S Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, 92024) and then it travels to the  Encinitas Community Center (1140 Oak Crest Park Drive, Encinitas, 92024) from March 7 - May 2, 2018. The reception on March 17 at the Community Center is from 1:00 - 4:00 PM and will feature spoken word artist Alyce Smith Cooper performing “ Songs of Earth, Sea, Fire & Air: The Mythic Journey of Zora” For more info 760.436.3310 ellen@artRETREATS.com

Enter the Encinitas City Hall, turn left and right and ahead of you is a mirror cabinet filled with wonders. Ellen Speert has obviously had great fun gathering driftwood and shells, pearls and feathers, and a variety of found objects that have been joined together in what appears to be fetishes for an imaginary seaside culture. These charming works of art can be seen front and back because of the mirror but were a little hard to photograph for this report, so I strongly recommend you go and see them for yourself. And take a look at the price list which ranges from only $30 to about $200.   Save the date of March 17 to find out more about Zora and her journey. 

Mission Federal Art Walk Featured Artists and Artie Award Announced for 2018

by Patricia Frischer

We look forward each year to the announcement of the featured artist for the Mission Federal Art Walk. This gala event is held at the Westgate Hotel which is the only hotel I know of in SD which has the  decor and elegance of  European culture.  It makes an interesting juxtaposition to see the traditional sculptures next to the modern art on display. Eight artists were announced and seven of those had work at this events (Harut Hakobyan from Grananda Hills was absent).  Right off the elevator was the work of Gedion Nyanhongo whose stone carving were so eye catching.

During the evening there was a wonderful spoken word presentation by Gill Sotu and the announcement of the Artie Awards...one to Patric Stillman of The Studio Door who organizes the The Business of Art scholarship sponsored by SDVAN. The other went to Arts and Craftsman Supply which also provides a participation event at ArtWalk so everyone can have a hands on experience.  The awards were as always, created by the sculptor Jon Koehler. 

The Mission Federal Art Walk is Sat and Sun, April 28 and 29th in 2018. The Art Walk at Liberty Station is Aug 11 and 12 and the newest Art Walk in Carlsbad will be held in September 22 and 23. 

Westgate decor

Gedion Nyanhongo, Phoenix, AZ

Gedion Nyanhongo, Phoenix, AZ

Gedion Nyanhongo, Phoenix, AZ

John Straub, photography,  La Mesa, CA

Ann Golumbuk from Art on 30th, SD, CA

Carolyn Johnson, Laguna Niguel, CA

Akzhana/Maxim, Oceanside, CA

Dany Paragouteva, Glendale, CA

Tesa Michaels, Adelman Fine Art  SD, CA

Art Reach, the non-profit arm of Art Walk, brings art to thousands of children. They were offering the opportunity to try your hand at silk screening and guest were invited to take home a special carryall with a quote from Matisse .

Gill Sotu spoken word artist...apologies for the photo so I inserted a better one of his face. 

Sandi Cottrell presentes Artie to Patric Stillman, of Studio Door

I went to Studio Door on the same day and wanted to report on their current exhibition. Three figurative artists are featured plus a small show in the annex classroom space. This is a temporary space while half of the gallery is being renovated. 

New Work by Mikaela McLeish who was selected for an artist residency in France.  She attributes her successes this year directly to the encouragement and mentoring she received from the The Business of Art scholarship

Mikaela McLeish

Selection of work by Margaret Alexis Chiaro

Margaret Alexis Chiaro

Margaret Alexis Chiaro

Margaret Alexis Chiaro

David Jester

Cassandras Schramm, who teaches Wine and Painting evenings at the Studio Door

Painting by Patric Stillman

Francis Upritchard at Lux Institute

by Patricia Frischer

Francis Upritchard is showing her sculptures at the Lux Institute in Cardiff by the Sea as part of their artist in residence program.  Upritchard is a resident of London now but was born and educated in New Zealand.  Her work is a off center combination of native and modern re-interpretations of  curious subject matter from prehistoric looking animals and humans to vessels and mini hats.

This show runs until March 23 and Upritchard will be in the gallery from Feb 8 to Feb 24 working on a California inspired work made out of balata which is a rubber -like material from a tree in the Amazon. When you visit the show, don't forget to look up to see the creature made from this material perched high on a back ledge.

You can sent or rent your mother-in-law

Also read: Odd sculptures draw viewers to Lux Art Institute in San Diego County La Jolla Light by Lonnie Burstein Hewitt.