We had an interesting afternoon, attending the Art First Saturday Walk in Chico. It gets mixed reviews. Some places, a few, were obviously happy to see us walk in, but most were oblivious to our presence. One participant said, after coming out of his office, “Oh, I guess I better turn the lights on.” The best of all of them was All Fired Up, a nominal clay studio, but they had every kind of art displayed. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, mosaics, fabric, steel, even some pottery! We got to watch a batik artist working on silk scarves and had a great conversation with her.
We might have been doing all of this ‘Art Walking’ at the wrong hour. It was scheduled from 4 to 8 PM and we were out in the heat of the afternoon, promptly at 4. Maybe the art scene gets better after the sun sinks a little lower…maybe 7 PM? Nah. The people at All Fired Up would have been all fired up at 7 in the morning. Real artists. The others were simply dealers in art.
Another interesting place was the Chico Art Center; a non-profit organization. You can usually find artists whenever you use the words, 'non-profit'.
I will have to look for Non-profit galleries the next time I attempt an art walk. I became disillusioned with most “Art Walks” for just the reasons you stated, they are art dealers only looking for a buck, not appreciation of the craft. At some galleries, if you listened to people talking as they spewed all the nonsense they read in some book about art, it was actually pretty entertaining. They may have known a great deal more about it than I, but to listen to them was a hoot.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
ReplyDeleteAnd you would have loved, All Fired Up; the exact opposite of those artsy galleries. I was telling the batik artist about my hot wax gun and about Yupo paper and she said that was what she loved about these art walk shows, a chance to talk with others and to learn something new. Rewarding for both of us...
Now I'm thinking seriously about taking their beginning pottery class.
Go for it. I have a kiln I can sell you!
ReplyDeleteOh, no...you will need your kiln!
ReplyDeleteDid you look at the All Fired Up website? They seem to have pretty good rates for using the facilities, including kiln time.
Yes, I want to get back to it one day. That is what I say each day when I look at my forlorn kiln sitting in the garage. I took a look at the website and I sure wish there was a place like this around here. If I were you, I would take the hand building course. It is much more creative than the wheel. Most places that have kilns won't let you use them because of the risk of clay that has not had the air removed can explode. Sounds like a great deal. Let me know if you go.
ReplyDeleteThanks...you just validated what I thought. You make round things with a wheel. I had thought that I would like to learn all the other techniques first. And their rates seem pretty reasonable. Another plus is the fact that they are affiliated with the non-profit Chico Art Council, providing classes for CAC as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.allthehands.com/wheels__clay.htm
Here's something (above) in Arizona...not quite the same, but similar
ok...you two...can I join in??? I have had many friends and customers recommend this place for me...Aunt Kitty care to join us on a wild woman's night...or whatever it is called.It is the second or third Thursday of the month. All of the comments about this place have been sooo great...just a place to experiment, learn and of course...CREATE. Told Rebecca, Nancy and Holly...we have to go!!! Sheesha? are you in? Kitty?
ReplyDeleteOf course you can, Dotta.
ReplyDeleteI was told that if I invested in a wig, I might be able to pass during the Wild Woman's Night...