Jon Evans, Jack of All Trades...Master of Many

                        
                     Jon Evans in Studio 39 with his Digital Kaleisdoscope Art


Hello All,

I am visualizing a new concept for the Spanish Village Art Center blog in the months to come. I want to feature more articles on the artists and events of the Village as they happen. Around and about Spanish Village Art Center has been a vision of mine, since I began blogging on June 17, 2010. In fact, that is why I was asked to write the blog in the first place.

If you have been keeping up with the blog, you will remember that I did a feature article on Kathi Ruiz and her "Irish Rose" hand spun yarns, on September 10, 2010. The first feature of many connecting the artists of Spanish Village Art Center with the admiring public.

This blog is dedicated to an extremely talented and versatile artist named Jon Evans. As inferred in the title, I truly see Jon as a "Jack of all Trades", and a true "Master of Many" arts. Jon is a detailist (is that a word?) and a perfectionist (that is a very appropriate word) to the max. If you knew Jon, you would know exactly what I mean.  In the following paragraphs, I hope to give you an impression of Jon Evans as I see him, a master of "Old World craftsmanship" and an enigma unto himself. His work and dedication to detail are certainly reminiscent of the craftsmen who originally inhabited Spanish Village during the 2nd California Pacific International Exposition in 1935.

Jon's genius and his person are housed in Studio 39, where he carries on the tradition of that memorable exposition. You may watch him work at least two days a week, either in front of the studio under the bougainvillea, or inside when his work requires dust and environment free finishing.

"Finishing". That's a good place to start. The magnificence of the finishes Jon gives to his woodwork is astonishing and breathtaking. One's hand involuntarily gravitates toward the warm glow of wood and colored laminates that he incorporates into the palm pods he finds in the park. These large pods are something that you may see any day lying about on the ground after a strong wind. But, what Jon Evans does with them is nothing short of "Magic"!


Keep your imagination tuned to "warm wooden glows and laminated palm pods". Back with more on the enigma of Jon Evans, and Old World craftsmanship in a bit. Stay tuned!



Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved

Allied Artists Association Arrives at Gallery 21

"Hidden World", watercolor by MARK SMITH
IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

Hello All,

It's a new year and an all new roster at Gallery 21 in Spanish Village Art Center, located at 1770 Village Place in Balboa Park. Gallery 21 is proud to present the Allied Artists Association of San Diego, in their 2011 All Members' Show.  Exhibit runs 2/23/11 - 3/7/11, and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The opening reception is Sunday, 2/27/11 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

The current exhibit features 32 fabulous artists who work in media including photography (traditional and digital), oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, pastel, silk painting, encaustic, printmaking, ceramic and mixed media. That's quite a playbill, don't you think? I visited the gallery today, and was amazed at the variety of style and expertise in the artists' renderings.

Awards are for Outstanding Art in the following categories:

1st Place - $100, 2nd Place - $75 and 3rd Place - $50
Honorable Mention Certificates will also be awarded.

I will attend the opening reception on Sunday, and fill you in on the award recipients. I've got my favorites, but I will wait to see what the juror and the People's Choice selections are.

Back tomorrow with the results. "Anticipation...anticipation", I know!


Monday, 2/28/11 1:20 p.m.

Well, the reception was a great success with a marvelous turnout by patrons and artists alike. The quality of art in this show certainly commands attendance. Now for news of the awards for the show. This year's recipients are:

1st Place Winner - Joan Everds for "Lily", photograph
2nd Place Winner - Jackie Myers for "Midnight Strikes", acrylic
3rd Place Winner - Alicia Tirado for "Turquoise Waters", colored pencil

Honorable Mention - Vicky DeLong for "Flock", ceramic vase
Honorable Mention - Edwin H. Wordell for "Symbolic", mixed media collage

The People's Choice award will be awarded at the end of the show when all votes are tallied.  I, easily, cast my vote, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed while sending out good "vibes" to my favorite.  (You know who you are...) Ask me no secrets...

"St. Mary River", monotype by JULIANNE RICKSECKER
IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


The Allied Artists Association of San Diego shows its work once a year at the Riford Center in La Jolla, California, and their artwork is permanently on display in a window gallery setting in the Emerald Building in downtown San Diego.


With a motto of "Many Artists. One Passion", the Allied Artists Association of San Diego is a multi-talented group of artists that represents a broad spectrum of art media and photographic arts. They may be contacted individually or through their website at: www.aaasd.us. P.O. Box 181325, Coronado, California 92178. For further info, contact Vicky DeLong at: 619) 850-6637.


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved

36th Annual Small Image Show at Gallery 21

The 36th Annual Small Image Show is off and running, from January 28 through February 21, 2011, and what a show! Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the participants welcome visitors to Gallery 21 in Spanish Village Art Center. The opening reception was held on Saturday, January 29, 2011, and was a grand success. Attendance was high with an excitement in the air shared by newcomers and art aficionados alike. The gallery and outside patio fairly overflowed. As I arrived, I noticed the chill night atmosphere did nothing to dampen the spirit of the show. On the contrary, the enthusiasm of the spectators was amped, all soulfully accompanied by the smooth jazz sounds of "Endangered Speciez", as they set the ambiance of this year's opening reception.

Rob Sidner, this year's juror, had this to say about the exhibition:

"It was a pleasure to view a significant group of art works in a wide range of media created in small format. In making difficult choices in jurying the entries, my approach was entirelly subjective. I chose for exhibition works that to my eye seemed particularly fresh, imaginative, well made, demonstrating a good use of material, engaging and sometimes offbeat".

                                            "Trio", by Sue Bakely, ceramic artist
                                            1st Place Winner, Category 1 (12-inch)
                                            IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

The 36th Annual Small Image Show Awards went to the following recipients:

Category 1 - (12-inch)
1st Place - Sue Bakely, "Trio", mixed media/porcelain
2nd Place - Marti Blair, "Untitled", glass, copper, dry enamel
3rd Place - Lynn Render, "Carved vase", clay

Leslie von Kolb Memorial Award - Walter Wojtyla, "Inner Circle", acrylic

Category 2 - (6-inch)
1st Place - Vicki Leon, "Two Pieces of View", glass
2nd Place - Margaret Gordon-Espe, "Telepouch", ink on leather
3rd Place - Dan Adams, "Eclipse", acrylic

                                    "Two Pieces of View", by Vicki Leon, glass artist
                                           1st Place Winner, Category 2 (6-inch)
                                          IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED


Purchase awards went to Steve Maddy, Beverly Brock, Kathy Long, Chris Stell and Joan Boyer. Gift certificates were awarded to Amy Threefoot Valeiras, Victoria Ward, Diane Johnson, Susan Ronan, Joan Niles, Alison Baldwin and Ally Benbrook.

A big thank you to our sponsors from Gallery 21. Sponsors are Valley Moulding, CMI Moulding, Freeform Clay, Artists and Craftsman Supply and Spanish Village Art Center.

Last, but not least. Once again, please let me extend a big "shoutout" and "merci beaucoup" to our new Gallery 21 director, Frank Casciani and to all who assisted him in making this year's exhibition a gala experience.

As in all things, Frank... "Perfection, maestro, Perfection".

                        Event photographs taken by Rose Stepan, www.iwastherephoto.com
                        Images are copyright protected, all rights reserved


For more information on Gallery 21, visit the website at: www.gallery21art.com.


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved

Coming Soon! 36th Annual Small Image Show

Hello All!

Hold your Horses! Hold the Bus! It's our 36th Annual Small Image Show in Gallery 21! The show runs January 28 to February 21, 2011, and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Opening reception is on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Just wanted to get this "Heads Up" in before running to the studio.

DON'T GO AWAY! MORE TO COME! This year's show is going to be better than ever, with our new committee and new head of Gallery 21, Frank Casciani. If you know Frank (even if you don't know Frank!), what you will find is an attention to detail that makes a polished floor SQUEAK! Ever the perfectionist, Frank Casciani brings his expertise and past experience in the art profession to this much anticipated and loved art exhibition, as well as to the complete renovation of Gallery 21. A new website, a new look...a whole new image for Gallery 21! Have I got your attention?
"Just you wait, 'enry 'iggins...just you wait"! Is that you, Frank?

Okay, I'm back. "Live from Spanish Village Art Center...it's Gallery 21 and the 36th Annual Small Image Show" ! So, here we are in beautiful Balboa Park. It's an unseasonably warm and breezy day. 74 degrees in January and the feeling is fine. I'm at the studio now, and enjoying writing outside on the patio. The guitar and harp minstrels are performing "Bobby McGee" underneath the jacaranda tree just outside the Southwestern Artists Association, and I am waxing poetic. Whoa! Rein it in, girl. This blog is dedicated to the Small Image Show, remember? (Oh well, just setting the mood, don't you know).

Here's a quick rundown of the show: Purpose - To provide a unique challenge for the artist by utilizing a small image concept in the widest range of visual expression.

Eligibility - Competition is open to all artists. All work must be original and completed within the last year. Work done under supervision of an instructor or work requiring special installation or handling will not be accepted.

Honored Juror

Gallery 21 is honored to have Rob Sidner, in his 18th year at the Mingei International Museum and 6th year as director, as the juror for the 36th Annual Small Image Show. His credits are extensive, including an earlier lengthy career as a Roman Catholic priest, and a short-lived one as an art gallery owner here in San Diego. He completed a Bachelor's degree in Sacred Theology while living in Rome, and during his four year stay, spent much of his time soaking up the art and culture of Italy.

For more information and a full review of the new and marvelous Gallery 21 face lift, please visit www.gallery21art.com. I am positive you will be astounded and pleased with our new image. Once again, Frank, "Perfection, maestro...Perfection"!


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved