(RSS)
Artful Connections
I did some 2nd Saturday ArtHopping last weekend and a few key thoughts occurred to me.
• At first it seemed like the numbers of people participating might be down, but several venues reported having excellent nights.
• When I see people heading into businesses specifically to look at art, it continues to impress me greatly and fill me with hope. It’s a hard thing to quantify.
• You can learn so much just by “getting out.” In visiting just a few venues, I accomplished the following:
1. Heard for the first time the talented young jazz vocalist Stephanie Foos performing at Maritime Seafood and Grill. She was accompanied by the incredible tandem of guitarist Bernie Baker and bassist Bruce Calin. The fact that those two pros are playing with her says quite a bit about her talent.
2. I visited two furniture/design stores on Park Marina Circle — Parmer’s and Ethan Allen — that are an excellent one-two stop for anyone looking for home furnishings. In Parmer’s, I chatted with photographer John Bradford about his fabulous photos of Shasta Caverns (they changed my whole view of the caverns). In Ethan Allen, I listened to Writer’s Forum writers read their original works.
3. I stopped into The Studio Experience (3404 Bechelli Lane, Suite B), and visited with a lovely trio of artists — Shirley Barone, Mickey Theobald and featured artist Susan Greaves. I learned that other talented area artists (such as Chuck Prudhomme) will be displaying in the gallery soon. I learned that Mickey’s son George was the extreme skier dude I went mountain biking with at Alpine Meadows a few years back.
4. I visited GMS Mann Custom Jewelers (5200 Churn Creek Road; in the business complex near the Appletree Apartments where Churn Creek and South Bonnyview come together). The business has been there for 20 years and I’d never stopped in. In addition to jewelry, it also sells sensational art and glass work.
5. I heard (also for the first time) jazz guitarist Mickey Jones perform at the packed ArtHop after-party at Tapas Downtown.
And all of this was just a little “getting out” on Saturday. It was a lot of connecting and learning, considering it didn’t require than much of an effort. Sometimes the toughest decision is to get up and out the door.
270 views
Thanks for the WF press, Jim. And good pointing out about the joint Ethan Allen/Parmer’s duo. Though I read at WF and then went on a very random hop for the first time, we missed Parmers completely. Guess I’ll have to go again.
I like the angle you took here, paying attention to the musicians, etc. along the way. If you were at Maritime I’m guessing you saw Jeremy Sawtelle and his Koolaid/coffee art. Too cool.
Reply
Hey Jim,
Great seeing you the other night at Art Hop and thanks for your support. Come by and see us again sometime! We are having an animal show in February, it should be lots of fun.
Reply
Art Hop: What a FABULOUS, AWESOME addition to our community. Two very overworked words that really ought to be saved for events such as this one. I am so proud of what Redding is becoming. My only complaint is that there is never enough time to see and hear everything. A surfeit of stimuli for the artistic appetite! Thank you to Troy and Adam for their contribution to the community in birthing this event and continuing to nurture it.
Reply
P.S. yes thank you, Jim, for your insightful article and for recognizing the musicians.
Reply
Adrienne (and everyone else too),
Remember that most of the businesses host the artist and their art for the entire month. So go ahead and visit Parmer’s during the month if you didn’t make it to Parmer’s on ArtHop!
We try very hard to include all of the arts into the ArtHop each month. Music, Photography, painting, acting and singing. You get the idea. Well enjoy the HOP!
Jim, Thanks for a great article. ( your check is in the mail).
Reply
Troy, Thanks for the info. I didn’t realize that the art stayed in place at these venues for a whole month!!! I’m diggin’ it!!!
Reply