Alameda Open Studios
June 2nd, 2012It’s that time again: Pro Arts’s East Bay Open Studios! 18 Alameda artists are opening their doors the first two weekends of June from 11am – 6pm. I visited all the studios that were open on day 1 of the event, Saturday, June 2. Here are some highlights:
Most Bang for your Buck
Individual artists are spread out all over Alameda, but Gabriele Bungardt, Mi’Chelle Fredrick, Marjorie Lynn Wagner, Deborah Griffin, and David Burke gathered together at Autobody Fine Art. Each has work worth checking out. One highlight is Griffin’s encaustic pieces, a new direction for this digital painter/collage artist. You should buy a few before she realizes that she could price them much, much higher. Also particularly noteworthy are the ink on Duralar pieces in Burke’s “Hungry Ghost” series. 1517 Park Street.
Welcome Newcomer
Back from a 6-year hiatus from art, Vicki Newcomer exhibits sculptures old and new, many incorporating working horns or fragments of other musical instruments. 2990 Johnson Avenue.
Big Bird on Campus
EBOS isn’t complete without a visit to Pat Payne’s Bigbird Studios. This year her menagerie of steel or bronze raptors and rhinos are joined in their enchanted garden by some smaller waterbirds. These new additions are being raffled off to support Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at http://www.alamedaanimalshelter.org. I got mine! This is almost certainly the only way I’ll ever be able to own one of Payne’s masterpieces. 2121 Alameda Avenue.
Abbondanza!
Larry Wilson’s got it all. More than 200 watercolors on display, limitless anecdotes, and the best snacks in EBOS! 1166 Park Avenue #A.
94502
If you don’t mind leaving da Big Island, there are two artists opening their studios on Bayfarm. Patti Heimburger, who recently exhibited at Alameda library, displays both landscapes and figurative work. Alfredo Tofanelli is a well known plein air painter, and is exhibiting more than 150 oil paintings, both landscapes and still life. 155 Justin Circle and 406 Baywood Road, respectively.
Note that not all artists will be open every day, so check the Pro Arts website or pick up a brochure at one of the participating venues.
Michael Singman-Aste
Postdiluvian Photo
Tags: Alameda, Alfredo Tofanelli, Autobody Fine Art, David Burke, Deborah Griffin, Gabriele Bungardt, Larry Wilson, Marjorie Lynne Wagner, Mi'Chelle Fredrick, Open Studios, Pat Payne, Patti Heimburger, Vicki Newcomer
Thanks for stopping by Autobody! Always good to see you.
Enjoyed the article and nice talking with you at the open studio this last weekend! Looking forward to seeing all the other Alameda Open Studios!
Michael,
Thank you for the mention in your always interesting articles;
I enjoyed talking with you and all the fascinating people who came through Bigbird Studios.