Orinda Art Scene – June 2025

    In many exhibits, a curator writes a description of the art with a dusting of the academic; it is not a story or an artist statement. An artist statement is a brief written description explaining the work, creative process and artistic vision. In the Lamorinda Arts Council show “How Artists Examine Culture”, what you will read are stories inspired by the artwork. Or the stories that inspired the artwork. Either way, it is the artist doing both writing and artwork.
    This rare insight into the artist as both art maker and author leads to a glimpse of the internal voices that speak to the artists when they make art and to the artists when they write.
    The participating artists in this exhibit include Jennifer Atkins, Arlynn Bloom, Donna W. Brown, Suellen Cox, Jessica de Jesus, Judith Feins, Pamela Fletcher, Leslie Golden, Jeffrey Heyman, Lance Jackson, Shiva Jafarzadeh, Jenjamin, Amy Jane Jasinski, Ania Lesela, Barbara Lind, Jane Martin, Connie Millholland, Ebba Navas, Deanne Quenzel, Lois Reynolds Mead, Jenny Rosen, Amitai Schwartz, Ruth Stanton, Betsy Streeter, Lorna Strotz, Sharon Tama, Nancy Vachani and Briana Van Den Broeck. View and purchase their artwork online at bit.ly/43j1bjP.
    You can meet the artists and view their work at a reception in their honor on May 31 and enjoy light refreshments from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    Out of the 28 artists exhibiting 87 artworks in the show, there are 16 narratives written by seven artists. With so many pieces in the show, expect to see ceramics, cartoons, digital art, oil and acrylic paintings, mixed media, drawings, photographs, watercolors and handmade art books.
    Nancy Vachani’s “Salam Shalom,” a 24” x 36” diptych oil painting (a painting with two panels), tells a story about two young girls. Sarah is wearing a Star of David necklace and Noor wears a blue hijab. They are in a part of the world where there is a curfew and, as Noor says, “Sometimes … things get really mixed up.” On a blistering hot day, each is seeking shade, and they end up sharing a bench. You’ll have to see the artwork and read the story for the outcome.
    Ruth Stanton describes her 24” x 36” acrylic painting “Free-Solo” as, “A young woman rock-climbing without ropes or safety devices. You have to be really strong in body and mind to overcome a challenge like this.” As a visitor to the show, you too can view “Free-Solo” and spend some time with the rocks.
    Visit the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library through June 27 at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Sundays and June 19. Call the Library at 925.254.2184 or visit ccclib.org/. Questions about the exhibit? Email gallery@LamorindaArts.org, visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2 or call 925.359.4490.