April 17, 2010

Today was our "change out" day, as we move from the Blossom Trail season to the Fruit Trail Season. We "interviewed" some prospective new members and will be announcing some additions very soon. We hate to see our members move on to something else, but it is always exciting to be bolstered by the enthusiastic attitudes of new "Artstanders"!

On Saturday, May lst, we will be having our annual "Open Studio" event. We hope you will save the date so that you can attend. Flyers and email notifications have gone out and if you didn't receive one and want one, please comment here and we'll make sure to send you one. You can also pick up a flyer with a map at the Art Stand Gallery or get one from any of the gallery members.

The 2010 Blossom Trail Event and Reception

Nature’s Artwork: The Blossom Trail

The annual Blossom Trail comes alive every February, when motorists and bikers begin to see nature’s palette change dramatically.  The trail comes alive with brilliant colors from blossoming peach, nectarine, plum, orange, and almond trees in full bloom. The almond, orange, and plum trees display white petals, apricot trees delight us with pink petals, and peach and nectarine trees are aglow with pink to red petals.   I recommend stopping many times if you are driving so that you don’t miss the show ….

The trail runs through the towns of Sanger, Reedley, Orange Cove, Selma, Kingsburg and Fowler, some of the most productive agricultural land in the world.  The trail is 67 miles, with much to see and do, from Sanger’s “longest flume in the world, Reedley’s Mennonite quilting center, Old town Clovis’s old west architecture,  and Selma’s raisins.  Orange Cove is a fragrant city and Kingsburg is unique with its Swedish look and architecture.  Wineries, antique shops, and fruit stands may pique your interest, as may many of the unique downtown areas.  

February 5 was the official opening of the trail, and the blossoms have started to appear.   Saturday, March 6 the festivities begin with a car show, festival, and 10K Blossom Trail Run in Sanger.  The Art Stand Gallery, once an historic fruit stand and now an artist gallery, is in the heart of the Blossom Trail, and hosts its annual Blossom Trail show and Open House that day.    The Gallery is located on Highway 180 and Frankwood Avenue near Sanger, and features a variety of fine art and crafts from 14 local artists.

The local artists include Sally Delap-John from Sanger who works in watercolor, Kathleen Mattox, who specializes in watercolor and whimsical mixed media paintings, and Elaine Towne Lane, whose colorful ceramic pieces are most popular.  Deanna Bristow is an award winning watercolor artist who has twice won the Blossom Trail Poster Contest.  Chieko Delgado, Kay Owens, Sandy Kowalis, Doris Runyon, Suzie Stach, and Jody Tonai, are more of the wonderful painters who work with watercolor, oils, and pastels, and paint much of the local scenery you may recognize.  Kay Gaston creates unusual fiber-art dolls and fused dichroic jewelry; Toni Best does amazing work decorating gourds with feathers, beads, paint, and more.  Tiwi Wood works with clay and creates beautiful ceramic items, and I am the lone photographer who captures scenes from Tulare and Fresno counties, the National Parks, Central Coast, Southwest, and more.

Drive, hike, or bike the Blossom Trail to experience all it has to offer.   Browse the Art Stand Gallery which is open daily during the Blossom Trail from 11:00 AM to 5:00 pm.  Join the artists at the Art Stand Gallery Open House, Saturday, March 6.  Take home inspiration, a reminder of the beauty of the season, and perhaps a desire to create your own work of art as well…..

(Article written by Art Stand Gallery Artist, Jeri Burzin )

Art Hop, Thursday February 18, 2010

Stop by and meet two local artists at the reception at The Art Stand Gallery. Judy Lotspeich retired from teaching 11 years ago. Since then, she has pursued her love for painting, particularly in watercolor. Her favorite subjects are the local landscape and produce of the valley.

Tiwi Wood enjoys creating functional and
decorative ceramic pieces that uplift the spirit,

inspired by the suburban garden that she tends
and the creatures who live there and visit it.











Drop by for refreshments, to meet the artists, and to view the work of our 14 local artists in a unique cooperative gallery setting. Art Hop will be from 5-8 PM on Thursday, February 18th.

January 16th and 17th Classes

Saturday, January 16th, Sandy Kowallis will teach a much-anticipated and long-awaited ABSTRACT watercolor class! I can hardly wait to be a participant myself. Sandy's work is admired by many and she is sought-after as a teacher.

And what can I tell you about Sunday's teacher, Kathleen Mattox?

Anything you want to know. . . . . IF you come out and take the class! It's hard to write about myself, but I can guarantee we will have a fun day of Mixed Media Exploration on Sunday.

Come out to play, learn, have fun and try some things you haven't even considered before. :)

Art Stand Participants LOVED the Gourd Class Last Weekend!

Toni Best of Visalia taught a wonderful class on dying

and embellishing natural gourds with a hand-sewn band

of pine needles around the top opening last Sunday

at the Art Stand Gallery.

Participants loved it!

They each designed and completed or almost completed a beautiful, one of a kind project in the one day class.

Change in Instructor for the Pastel Class

The pastel class coming up this weekend and originally to be taught by Doris Runyon will now be taught by Kay Owens. As far as I know, there are still openings.

Remember to:

1. Dress in layers.

2. Bring what you have in the way of supplies to any of the classes, knowing that instructors bring supplies and participants are usually wonderful about sharing, too. Do NOT invest a fortune in supplies you may not use again after the class.

3. Bring a lunch for the 6 hour classes. Bring what you need in the way of snacks for any of the classes. Snack bars, water, and hot beverages will be provided for all classes.

4. Look forward to great classes, as always!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Dear Art Stand Gallery artists and Friends:

Hope you all had a very Happy Holiday season and will have a wonderful new year in 2010.

Our Winter Workshops begin in a little over a week on January 9th. If you haven't signed up yet, please do as soon as possible. Either download/print the flyer and send it in or bring it with you on the day of the class with the class fee. If you want to come on the day, do call Elaine Lane (or respond to this post via a comment) to make sure there is still room in the session that you want to take.

If you aren't a "friend" or "follower" of The Art Stand Gallery blog, we'd love to have you join us!

Scroll back to the post of October 28, 2009 to find out "How to Become a Follower of the Art Stand Gallery Blog". Hope to see you soon as a follower and as a participant at one of our winter workshop classes!