Sign for di Rosa with red sculpture in the back

Picnic and Art, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, Napa

Sculpture at the upper sculpture garden at di Rosa, NapaOnce the rain is gone I’m looking forward to a picnic. A classic spot for a picnic is Napa. You can combine it with wine tastings surrounded by vineyards. If you want to step up your game, impress someone special, or just not into wine, I recommend visiting di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art.  

View of gallery 1 at di Rosa, NapaDi Rosa hosts two galleries with a focus on contemporary artists from the Bay Area. However, there is much more to discover. Located in a nature preserve within wine stocks, you walk by sculptures, an immersion of nature and art.   

Painted beans by Willian AllanWhen we visited last weekend we saw Willian Allan’s Negotiations with Eden in gallery 1. Allan was a leading figure in the Bay Area’s Funk scene in the 1960s and 70s. His fish paintings show off a whimsical trait reflected again with the painted beans in a few display cases. This playful view on art, e.g.,  lucky number beans or birds eyes painted on beans, continues in his photographs where he reveals an eye for nature’s curiosities. Negotiations with Eden is open until May 14th, 2023. 

View of gallery 2 at di Rosa, NapaGallery 2 is labeled The Incorrect Museum – di Rosa’s permanent collection with a focus on ‘beat,’ ‘funk’ and other key movements in Bay Area art history. My favorite was the house of bottles in an outside area: Mildred Howard’s Memory Garden Phase 1. You can actually go inside the bottle house! 

Sign that reads: sculpture meadow closed due to conditionsDue to the heavy rain the sculpture meadow, as well as another installation, were closed to the public. A bit unfortunate since I was looking forward to seeing the sculptures. However, while there were some sculptures on the way to the gallery 2, I can see myself returning on a sunny day with some friends, a picnic basket, and enjoying the sculpture garden and installation we missed. 

On the second Sunday of the month they also offer nature hikes through the Sculpture Meadow and up the northern side of the property. Hikes start at 10 am, advanced tickets are required.

Bottles of Mildred Howard’s Memory Garden Phase 1di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is located on 5200 Carneros Highway in Napa, CA. General Admission is $20, senior, military and students are $17, under 17 free. Opening hours are Friday to Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm. 

Do you know of great picnic spots?

Entrance to the exhibit Fearless by Ana Lazaro

Celebrate Women’s History Month

Three of Ana Lazaro paintings at the Mary L. Stephens Davis LibraryMarch is Women’s history month. A great way to celebrate is to check out your local library to see if they have anything special planned. I went to the Yolo Library in Davis and they currently have three (3!) exhibits to celebrate women.

The first exhibit is Fearless by Davis based artist, Ana Lazaro, in the Blanchard Room. The Blanchard Room is the left entrance of the library and is open during opening hours. Lazaro’s works are mostly acrylic on wood and depict famous women, like Maya Angelou, Dorothea Lange, and Dolores Huerta. The portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is especially striking. I enjoyed the short biography of the subjects and the notes about the books and other library materials available to borrow. Some of the pieces are auctioned off as giclées (high resolution prints) to benefit the Friends of the Yolo Library.

Poster of Herstory 2 an curated by Dr. Chang C. ChenFor the second exhibit you have to go to the other end of the library. Herstory 1 & 2: The Legal History of Chinese American Women is shown until the end of May in all Yolo County libraries. This collection of legal milestones was curated by Dr. Chang C. Chen. An amazing reference to brave Chinese American women from women’s suffrage, to the first Chinese American female to hold the office of Secretary of State, and other less known stories. 

A collage of riot grrlrs images and zinesI was delighted to see a collage of Riot Grrrls at the teen center. Pictures of women in all shapes and colors ready to riot. 

Pictures of Riot GrrrlsMary L. Stephens Davis Library

is located at 315 E 14th St in Davis. Opening hours are Monday 12 to 8 p.m, Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Does your library have an exhibit celebrating women?

A small pink tractor is parked next to some antique tractors

Count the Tractors at California AG Museum, Woodland

Big tractor wheels at the California AG Museum in WoodlandIt is no surprise that Woodland has a museum for agriculture. Surrounded by fields and orchards, agriculture is ever present. But I did not expect to learn about the many different kinds of tractors. 

The California AG Museum has over 100 tractors. All shapes and forms, from horse drawn, to steam, to fuel powered. The machines stem from a collection from  Fred Heidrick Sr. and his brother Joe. Previously the Heidrick Ag History Center, it expanded in 2015 to the California Agriculture Museum.

Holt 120 HP tractorThe tractor’s history is fascinating. Beginning in the late nineteenth century tractors had metal wheels. It evolved with spikes then large rubber tires, and even tank-like tracks. One tractor built to tow artillery, the Hold “120” HP, was almost to France when World War I ended. Today, this is thought of as the only one of its kind. But with more than 100 antique tractors everyone can find Red and white painted Caterpillar tractortheir unique fascinating piece of farm equipment. Maybe it’s the white and red painted caterpillar? Clown-like made up for the county fair it stands out from its yellow family members in the rows ahead.

On our visit there was a huge party going on. The kids all got their own little tractors to zip around the museum. It definitely added to the fun! A small kid toy tractor next to an old tractor

Admission to the California AG Museum is $10 for adults, students, seniors and veterans $8, kids 6-12 $5, kids under 6 free. It is located in 1958 Hays Lane, in Woodland, CA. Opening hours are Wednesday – Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. 

Do you have a favorite piece of farm equipment?

Avant Garden sign

Enjoy the Avant Garden, Benicia

You might know by now that I love gardens. When I was wandering and discovering Benicia I really enjoyed finding the Avant Garden on First Street in downtown Benicia. What a great name for a community garden!

Sign for the Avant Garden. It says: Join us!It turns out, and not surprisingly for Benicia, it also has a cool history. The first community garden in Benicia was established in 1999 on East 2nd Street on a lot owned by the Heritage Presbyterian Church. A chair and some garden plots.Named after its founder the late Dr. Ed Swenson, the Swenson Community Garden teaches organic farming practices. In 2003 Swenson founded the Benicia Community Garden (BCG) which is now a county wide organization and known today as Sustainable Solano. Swenson believed that community gardens can produce a “second harvest” of social, economic and ecological benefits. Way beyond gardening, Sustainable Solano hosts free classes on local foods, has a community share plot to share produce for people in need, and teaches sustainable urban agriculture methods. 

Sign at the gate of the Avant Garden welcoming people.This Avant Garden is open to the public to enjoy, take classes, and hang out. To apply for one of the 43 plots you have to sign up on the BCG waiting list. A plot is $85 annually and covers maintenance and the water bills.  

What is your favorite community garden?

Entrance of the Kaleid Gallery

Browse Some Art, Kaleid Gallery in San Jose

Inside the Kaleid Gallery in San JoseThe Kaleid Gallery in San Jose’s SoFA district houses over 60 fine artists and designers in their 4,000 square foot retail space. Every First Friday, except in January and July, they feature a solo exhibit by a resident artist. The artist’s reception is from 5 pm – 9 pm.

View inside the Kaleid Gallery in San JoseIf you want some unique gift you should check them out. All art is for sale and you can take it with you at the time of purchase. There are not only paintings, but sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry, to name a few. I also enjoyed meeting some of the artists while I visited.

Space Palette Pro at the Kaleid GalleryThe most curious piece, and a fun thing to play with, is the Space Palette Pro. A visual music instrument that looks like a mix between an old jukebox and a homemade arcade video game console. Pick a theme from the psychedelic sounding menu and start playing sounds with your fingers on the touchscreen. Sample menu themes are: Blue Purple Cartoon Clouds, Kaleidoscopes Forever, and Swimming in Salmon Blue. I don’t think this is for sale, but instructions on how to build your own are given.  

KALEID Gallery is located at 320 S. 1st Street, in downtown San Jose.

Opening hours are Thursdays to Fridays 12 pm – 7 pm, Saturdays 12 pm – 5 pm

And for First Fridays ArtWalk SJ 5 pm – 9 pm.

What’s your favorite art gallery in San Jose?

Description of the exhibit Pertencia: To Belong with views of paintings from Héctor Muñoz-Guzmán

Get a Sense of Belonging, Pertenecer at MACLA, San Jose

Gallery view of the exhibit Pertenecer at MACLAPertenecer: To Belong is the current exhibit at MACLA – Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana in San Jose’s SoFA district. Until March 19th, 2023 you can experience the cultural expression of otherness and belonging from six LatinX Bay Area artists: Pilar Agüero-Esparza, Rayos Magos, Kristina Micotti, Héctor Muñoz-Guzmán, Vanessa Wallace-Gonzales, and Jennifer White-Johnson. Gallery view of the exhibit Pertenecer at MACLA

You can feel the struggle to belong without losing yourself and your culture in their works. With interesting choices of materials, like aluminum alloy, leather and burlap, some of the artists play with traditional mediums to make something their own. Others use vibrant colors and imagery to evoke a cultural edge. 

On Saturday January 14th you can attend a special artists talk from noon to 1:30 pm, with Pilar Agüero-Esparza, Rayos Magos, and Héctor Muñoz-Guzmán. This is a free event, but tickets are required. You can sign up for tickets on their website. Outside the MACLA gallery

The gallery at MACLA is always free, but they do have a box for donations. $5 is the suggested donation amount. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Friday 12-7pm, and Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm. 

Have you been to a MACLA exhibit?

While you are in the area I suggest you stop by the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art on the same block.

Close up on some tropical butterflies

Admire Butterfly Art at the Bohart Museum, Davis

Tropical butterflies arranged in a spiral.I have to admit I’m not a big fan of insects; only butterflies make me smile. The Bohart Museum of Entomology on the UC Davis campus must have known the appeal of butterflies because it uses the California dogface butterfly as its logo. This museum holds the 7th largest collection of insects in North America and the 3rd largest university collection. If you are a fan of creepy critters I saw them advertise an insect zoo. I profess I did not pursue it. 112 birdwing butterflies arranged as a butterfly

On my visit I was most enchanted with the butterfly artwork. In the Spiral Galaxy of Butterflies Francisco Basso and Brittany L. Kohler arranged tropical butterflies in a swirl and floral patterns. These butterflies are from a donation that did not include collection data and therefore can’t be used for research purposes. As a fun scavenger fact, they also added a fly. Can you find it?

While the first artwork by Basso and Kohler has multiple species, the second, Birdwing Butterfly, is composed of 112 birdwing butterflies into a nymphalid. These were also donated without collection data.  

Butterfly wings painted on two pillarsA sculpture of a tardigradeFor your instagramable moment you can pose as a butterfly between two adjacent pillars with painted wings or ride on a sculpture of a Tardigrade at the entrance to the museum.

The Bohart Museum of Entomology is located at 455 Crocker Lane in Davis. Opening hours are Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am – noon and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Admission is free. Or you can tour them virtually here

Are you an insect fan?

Roberta Monte James' creation called Seeker

Expand Your View on Textile Art, Woodland

Last week’s post about quilts showed traditional textile art in Woodland’s Gallery 625. But Yolo Arts also has an exhibit about  contemporary fiber art titled: Off the Grid at the Barn Gallery in Woodland. 

Zen Du's Biopoiesis at the Barn GalleryHere textiles are reconstructed, reshaped, and redefined with methods like stitching, weaving, and embroidery. The 19 artists showcase the contemporary usage of textile art. 

One of the artists, Zen Du’s Biopoiesis is a great example of the innovative approach. She shows us felt objects that remind the viewer of underwater creatures. Another object I liked a lot is Roberta Monte James’ Seeker, an asymmetric quilt which invites the viewer to follow new lines and shapes.

Traditional quilts and a house dress as seen at the Gibson HouseAs a contrast to the exhibit at the Barn you will also be invited to view Stitched Together: Quilts from the Yolo County Historical Collection at the Gibson House next door. 

The Barn Gallery and the Gibson House are located at 512 Gibson Rd in Woodland are open Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:30 to 5 pm, and selected Saturdays. 

Off the Grid will be shown until February 11th, 2023 and Stitched Together until February 3rd, 2023. Admissions to both exhibits are free.

Expressions in Cloth exhibit at Gallery 625, Woodland, CA.

Examine Expressions in Cloth, Quilt Art in Woodland

I zoomed in on a quilt to show different stich patternsQuilting is such a beautiful tradition and a unique way to express yourself. The canvas of multiple swatches of cloth comes to life with a vision; stitches shape patterns for our eyes to follow. 

Until January 31st, 2023 you can view precious examples of quilts at Gallery 625, in Woodland, titled: Expressions in Cloth. The quilting artists are: Bernadette Behrends, Kathy Donaldson, Lana Hanney, Carole Pirruccello, Jeanne Powell, Margo Shroeder, and Sherry Werum. All artists are members of the Flying Needles Quilt Guild in Yolo County. 

Sherry Werum’s ‘The First Ferris Wheel 1893 Columbian Exposition Chicago Worlds Fair'Sherry Werum’s ‘The First Ferris Wheel 1893 Columbian Exposition Chicago Worlds Fair” was my personal favorite. It pops out with bright pink and blue rounds of ferris wheel expressions. 

Gallery 625The gallery place itself is unusual. Gallery 625 is in the Erwin Meier Administration Building, a place where people, among other things, come to pay their property taxes. But don’t be put off by the surroundings, the quilts are first class and well-worth your time to admire.

A Christmas ornament of Betsie, on of the dogs you can donate to.If quilting helps you think of blankets, and you happen to have some to give away, you are welcome to leave donations for Friends of Yolo County Animal Services at the bins near the East entrance. Or you can pick up one of the donation requests by a specific pet from the Christmas tree.

Gallery 625 is located at 625 Court Street, (Erwin Meier Admin Building) in Woodland. Expressions in Cloth is open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, until January 31st, 2023. Admission is free. 

Other places to enjoy quilts in the Bay Area are Bay Quilts in Richmond and the Quilt and Textile Museum in San Jose.

Pottery by Kimi Masui

Gift some Pottery, Berkeley Potters Guild

Pottery by Margarete Grisz DowThe Berkeley Potters Guild welcomes visitors to their 51st anniversary Holiday Open Studio. This year’s event is under the motto: Vibe of color. Every Saturday and Sunday of December from 11 am to 5 pm and the whole week of the 17th till the 24th you can shop handmade pottery. 17 artists will show off their work and celebrate the season with live music.

Last year was the 50th anniversary of the Berkeley Potters Guild. Even during the pandemic they organized a splendid event, with much social distancing. Nevertheless you could also chat with the artists and learn their motivation and love for the craft. Since we are now going into the 3rd year of the pandemic they still require you to wear masks at all times. A kiln at the Berkeley Potters Guild

From bowls and vases to little magnets, tiles, and jewelry the selection is holding a gift for everyone on your list. The gallery shows off the highest priced pieces, so you are also treated to an arts and craft exhibit. I like the old kiln and the building itself with its nooks and history.

It was quite revealing last year when an artist told us she thought one of her creations was stolen, and someone had to tell her that it just got sold. Yes, you can be quite attached to your work. If you give any of these creations you know you have a unique work of art.  

Information

Berkeley Potters Guild is open from 11 am to 5 pm every Saturday and Sunday of December and the whole week from the 17th to the 24th, closing the 24th at 2 pm. The gallery at the Berkeley Potters Guild

Admission is free. There is no parking lot, but the street parking was relatively easy.

Are you giving unique gifts this season? 

(Images are from last years open studio at the Berkeley Potters Guild)