A picturesque artists' cooperative located
on the Blossom Trail
in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley
2013 Schedule
Map to the Art Stand Gallery
About the Art Stand Gallery
The Art Stand Gallery is an artists' cooperative gallery with 14 local artists from the Central San Joaquin Valley of California. Located on the Blossom Trail and the way to Kings Canyon National Park, the Art Stand Gallery is located in a historic fruit stand, and its displays reflect the charm of a rustic agricultural icon. The gallery has a wide variety of fine art and fine crafts, displayed in a unique fashion. The Art Stand Gallery has watercolors, oil and acrylic paintings, mixed media works, pastels, fine photography, jewelry, ceramics and sculptures, fiber arts, art dolls, glass and many other items. Originals, giclee prints, shrink-wrapped paintings, and greeting cards are always available. Shows change seasonally.
Where has the time gone? Tomorrow is our annual Open Studio Event for the Fruit Trail season at the Art Stand Gallery. Hours are from 11 to 5, Saturday only and there are 3 home studios to visit in addition to The Art Stand Gallery itself. Weather should be beautiful and you can visit with artists at each location and see where 3 of our artists work on a daily basis.
The flyer (pictured) gives details for the event but if you cannot read it or view it, please call (559) 905-3517 or email kathleenmattox@gmail.com for more information. Hope to see you tomorrow!
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 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 )
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.
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. :)
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.
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