The Shadow Views Trans Mission

The American automobile.  The symbol of status.  A means of transportation.  And tonight -- the focus of art.

Susan Tuttle, a good friend of The Shadow, invited him to the opening of a new art exhibit tonight entitled "trans mission".  As you might guess -- automobiles are the focus of this exhibit.

 

One of the works from the exhibit

This is a group show with the following artists participating:

• Philip Hall
• Troy Paiva
• Chris Peterson
• Bill Silveira
• Lulu Torbet

Artist Troy Paiva with one of his works

This exhibit utilizes all forms of media -- painting, sculpture and photography.  One might think that there is only so much you can say about an automobile in art -- but curators Peter MacLaird and Susan Tuttle have proven otherwise.

 

  

  

Some of the works at the exhibit

You can view this exhibit at GarageGallery, 655 Bryant Street, in the SOMA area of San Francisco.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  The exhibit will show through October 20, 2008.

 

 

Scenes from the reception

More pictures from the reception can be viewed here.

Two Artists -- Two Invitations

As The Shadow prepares for Open Studios in San Francisco in about 10 days, two artists have given The Shadow invitations to see their work -- so we are passing this information on to you.

Jamie Erfurdt has extended her Open Studio in Oakland to one more day -- Sunday, September 28, 2008 from noon to 6:00 p.m.  Jamie is closing her space at Vulcan Studios, 4401 San Leandro Street, Suite #27, in Oakland and would love to see you there and to buy some of her work.  The Shadow will be with Jamie during the Open Studio and will look forward to meeting you there.

 

Artist Jamie Erfurdt in her Oakland Studio

Jamie also wanted us to let all of you know that she is also showing work at Lavish Hair Salon, 1734A Lombard Street (at Octavia Street) in San Francisco and at Spud's Pizza at Adeline and Alcatraz in Berkeley.  The Lavish show is due to close sometime in October, the Spud's Pizza show is an open show.

Deborah Tash has just completed her newest work entitled "Spirit Of The Creek/Incanto".  She will premere the work at the University of California, San Francisco's 20th Annual Faculty and Staff Art Show.  Opening reception will be Monday, October 6, 2008, from 5-7 p.m. at UCSF's Millberry Union Conference Center, 500 Parnassus Avenue, in San Francisco.  This show will only be up for a week (it closes October 10, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.), so don't miss it!

 

Artist Deborah Tash in her former studio

Deborah will also be one of the artists showing during the San Francisco Open Studios and The Shadow has made arrangements to visit Deborah during Open Studios.

The Shadow would ask you to support the arts in the Bay Area and support these two wonderful artists.

Jaime Erfurdt Studio Closing

The Shadow has learned within the past 24 hours that his good friend artist Jaime Erfurdt is closing her studio in Oakland at the end of September.

 

Artist Jaime Erfurdt in her Oakland studio

Jaime is hosting an Open Studio for the next 2 weekends to do a final sale of some of her works before she moves.  Jaime is at Vulcan Studios, 4401 San Leandro St. #27, in Oakland.  She is letting pieces go very inexpensively and, if you ask her nicely, you can negotiate a nice price for some of her more expensive works!

Open Studio days and hours are as follows:

Saturday, September 13, noon to 5pm
Sunday, September Sept 14, noon to 6pm
Sunday, Septemer 21, noon to 6pm
Sunday September 28, noon to 6pm

Jaime is also willing to show more serious collectors some of the works at her home.  If you are interested, contact The Shadow and we will put you in touch with her.

We hope to see you there!

Become A VIP, Take Home A Glass!!

The Shadow has been in touch with ArtSpan over the past week and we are pleased to offer a new incentive for you to attend the Private Preview Gala for the 2008 Open Studios on October 4, 2008.

 

If you purchase a VIP Ticket to this event (VIP guests get to enter the gala 90 minutes early and receive a special sneak preview, plus complimentary parking, open bar, tasty hors d’oeuvres, goodie bags, live jazz, and a captivating performance by VaBang! Dance Company) you will also receive a special hand-painted glass to take home with you!

 

  

Top:  Artist Carolyn Wang paints a glass

Center:  ArtSpan members decorating glasses for the gala

Bottom:  A completed glass

VIP Tickets for the Private Preview Gala are $100 ($115 at the door).  Glasses are available first-come, first served.

To purchase tickets to the Private Preview Gala (VIP and General Admission), please click here.

More pictures are available here.

The Shadow Views A Family Tree

On September 5, 2008, The Shadow visited Varnish Fine Arts Gallery to view their latest exhibit from artist Beth Bojarski entitled "Confessions from the Family Tree".

 

Beth is a Milwaukee-based artist with a great sense of humor.  Her humor shows in her work, which is extremely rare for many artists to do successfully.

  

Two of Beth Bojarski's works on display at the exhibit

Beth describes her work as follows:

I love the fact that an artist is often given more freedom to question the world around them. . . . the great thing is even I may think I know what a painting is about, then I see it a year later and find something completely knew.

The centerpiece of this exhibit is the "family tree" -- a series of paintings created by Bojarski and rooted within a metal installation by sculptor Mark Winter.  The paintings that make up the work are independent of each other, but by telling a story, they are also inter-dependent of each other as well.

 

  

  

Top:  The "Family Tree"

Center, Bottom:  Detail from the "Family Tree"

This was a very well attended event and because of that, The Shadow did not get the opportunity to speak with Beth and get other insight on her work.  But it also gives you the chance to review the exhibit on your own and see what insights you develop from seeing it.

 

Scenes from the Reception

Confessions from the Family Tree will be shown through October 4, 2008 at Varnish Fine Arts Gallery, 77 Natoma Street, in the SOMA area of San Francisco.  Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.  Because Varnish has a permanent wine/beer bar on the premises, no one under 21 will be admitted to the gallery.

More pictures from the reception can be found here.

Countdown to San Francisco Open Studios

It's almost here folks -- San Francisco's Fall Open Studios!

ArtSpan has now released new information on this fun time in San Francisco.

On October 4, 2008, ArtSpan will hold a Private Preview Gala at the SomArts Main Gallery.  Along with previewing over 400 artists who will be participating during the four weeks of Open Studios, you can also enjoy complimentary cocktails, artfully prepared catering by Thomas John Events, a VaBang! Dance Company performance, and live music by the Jazz Cats.  There will also be a live auction with enticing specialty packages and DJs spinning into the evening.

Tickets for the Gala are on sale now and can be purchased here.  The Shadow will be in attendance and hopes to see you there.

For those of you who cannot make it to the Gala, the Exhibition Opening Reception will take place on October 5, 2008 at SomArts (this will be a free event).  We will have more information on this reception as we get closer to the date.

Also for those of you who will be coming to San Francisco from out of town or out of state, ArtSpan has informed The Shadow that Hotel Rex in the Union Square area of San Francisco will offer a 15% discount on hotel stays for Open Studios attendees.  The Shadow has seen the hotel and thinks it is well worth it -- from the hotel's location after the studios close, you will be in the heart of the Theatre District and fine shopping.  The hotel also has a great lobby bar and restaurant for fine dining.

You can make your reservations now by clicking here.  In the Promo Code field, enter ARTSPAN for your discount.

We will give you more information on Open Studios as ArtSpan releases the information to us.

The Shadow Views Common Descent

During First Thursday in August, The Shadow had the opportunity to visit his old friends at 111 Minna Gallery for a new exhibit entitled Common Descent.

Participating artists in this show were:

• Brett Amory
• Seth Armstrong
• Andrew Hem
• John Wentz

Some of the works on display at the exhibit

This was a well-attended gallery opening for a Thursday night.  The crowd really seemed to get into the artwork, the drinks were reasonably priced, and docents were available to discuss the work on display (and maybe get you to buy a piece or two).

Top:  Two patrons admiring works at the gallery

Center:  A scene from the reception

Bottom:  The Shadow with one of the 111 Minna Docents

This reception ended just about a week ago unfortunately.  But 111 Minna is preparing for their next First Thursday Reception on September 4 featuring the work of Serena Cole and Tahiti Pehrson.  The reception is from 6 p.m. until closing.

More pictures from the reception are available here.