View How Local Artists Examine Culture In Orinda Library Gallery
Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: “People in places doing things – how artists examine culture”
The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to consider two quotes describing this exhibit which you may or may not agree with.
“The artist’s job is to be a witness to his time in history,” Robert Rauschenberg.
“When the world becomes a massive mess with nobody at the helm, it’s time for artists to make their mark,” Joni Mitchell.
“People in Places Doing Things” is a two-month exhibit from local artists examining the culture they live in (May 5-June 27). It is a window to life through their eyes because their viewpoint is different from those of us limited to doodles, stick figures and emojis. Their viewpoint is also way more enjoyable, informative and just plain fun for a spring cleaning upstairs.
Meet the artists at their May 31 reception with light refreshments served on the terrace from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
As the “Call for Artists” clock had not tolled at press time, curator Bill Carmel could not list all the participants in this juried show. He did encourage the first artist to answer the “Call,” Arlynn Bloom of Lafayette, to tell us about her 32” x 24” watercolor, “Strolling at Stinson II.”
“There are stories all around us in every moment. Everything has beauty and meaning. I painted this from a moment at Stinson Beach one windy afternoon,” said Bloom. “I love the beach. I was totally struck by the women, the baby, their clothes and colors they were wearing. It was beautiful as their clothes moved freely in the wind and over the water. Mainly I wanted to express the vividness of their attire, the loveliness of their togetherness and the contrasting reflections against the beach.”
Join art lovers to view more intriguing art in the Gallery from May 5 to June 27 at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.. The Gallery is closed Sundays, May 26 and June 19.Questions about the exhibit? Email gallery@LamorindaArts.org, visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2 or call 925.359.4490.
Arlynn Bloom’s 32” x 24” watercolor entitled “Strolling at Stinson II” is featured in the “People in Places Doing Things: How Artists Examine Culture” exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. The figures, barefoot in the surf, are repeated in the shimmering reflections of their vibrant wind swept garments.
Virtual Wilder Gallery: Olga Larner – Ceramics with Nature’s Fractals
The ceramic art of Olga Larner will be featured in the Virtual Wilder Gallery from May 4 to June 1. Larner is a multidisciplinary designer turned ceramic artist and teacher with a background in design.
“I like discovering new techniques to bring out texture and organic elements of clay,” said Larner. You will notice a variety of surface treatments and shapes in the 20 vessels she is showing, including fractal-like beading in her glazes.
An active member in the local art scene, Larner, an Orinda resident, chaired the Lamorinda Art Council’s High School Visual Art Competition in March for the third year in a row. Her favorite artist for painting and mixed media is Robert Rauschenberg. View more of her work at olgalarner.com.
Visit her Virtual Wilder Gallery at lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries/. Interested in exhibiting at Virtual Wilder? Email info@LamorindaArts.org or call 925.359.9940.
“Black and White,” a 6” x 9” ceramic made of charcoal clay has contrasting white glazing, which crawls over the surface creating fractal patterns echoing nature. Crawling in ceramics (where a glaze retracts with the clay leaving random beading) is a source of artistic expression. In this vessel, the piece has a unique and textured aesthetic.
Art to Take Your Breath Away
“Ruth Asawa: Retrospective” – San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) through Sept. 2, Floor 4, visit
bit.ly/42M9owH.
“Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art” – de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park through August 17. Visit
bit.ly/3YFRvhG. Try Thiebaud themed pastries in Café.
“Time and Tide: The Art of John Wehrle” – Richmond Art Center through June 14, visit bit.ly/3YFRtX6.
