Located next to Nordstrom in downtown Walnut Creek, Broadway Plaza.
photo by Jeanie R. Wakeland
From an email:
WHEN: April 27 (5-9 p.m.) April 28 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) April 29 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
WHAT: Artists’ Market
WHO: Clay Arts Guild
WHERE: Civic Arts Education Studio, 1313 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
INFO: 925-943-5846, www.clayartsguild.comThe burst of green grass on Mt. Diablo and colorful wildflowers on the hillsides stimulate many gardeners to think about brightening their own yards and patios with plants, water features and garden decoration.
But where can they get unique pots and garden ware in which to put those plants?
The Clay Arts Guild (CAG) will focus on outdoor garden pots and garden decoration at the Artists’ Market spring sale on April 27-29. A reception with live music, light refreshments and a flower-arranging demo kicks off the sale from 5-9 p.m. April 27. The sale continues April 28, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and April 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Civic Park Studio, 1313 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek.
photo by Flickr user uzvards
According to a City of Walnut Creek agenda, a giant hand sculpture may be on permanent display at Civic Park in downtown Walnut Creek. The first choice, Alma Park was rejected due to, “future development”. From the agenda:
The panel felt the Alma Park Plaza site would showcase Hand of Peace in a high visibility area, which would serve as a “gateway” both to other downtown artworks, as well as the Walnut Creek Public Art Program itself, by sparking interest in public art. It was agreed that, upon its installation, Hand of Peace would become a prominent artwork on the public art walking tours, and a significant place-maker for Walnut Creek and Alma Park. After careful review and input from the neighboring residents and businesses of the Alma Park site, and considering the future development that would take place adjacent to the site, it was determined that the location would not be viable. As the alternate, the panel selected the Civic Park “Triangle” at the Library’s north entrance (Attachment 2), because they were drawn to the green, peaceful, and reflective qualities of the
park. This site is highly visible, and the panel saw great benefit in installing the sculpture in a downtown park location and within a green landscape. The Civic Park site has significant pedestrian traffic, street visibility, and the opportunity for park visitors to spend time enjoying Hand of Peace from nearby benches and open space.
An interesting side note is that the artist Beniamino Bufano, chopped off part of his trigger (index) finger and sent it to President Woodrow Wilson at the onset of World War I as a protest against the war. You can see an old video interview with Bufano here. When I saw the video and took a look at the sculpture again I thought maybe the shorter finger at right was a representation of his missing index finger top, rather than the pinkie.
photo by Flickr user me5otron
The Lesher Center in Walnut Creek will be hosting a performance by the pianist Olga Kern on April 14th at 2:30pm.
From the Lesher website:
In 2001 the glamorous young Russian pianist Olga Kern became the first woman in thirty years to win the Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn Competition. Her next triumph came in New York City in 2004 with a highly acclaimed recital debut at Carnegie Hall. Then, in an unprecedented turn of events, eleven days later Ms. Kern was invited back by Carnegie for a second recital.
The Bedford Gallery, located in the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek is looking for summer interns.
From their website:
Summer interns needed for a large-scale site-specific installation at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, CA. Work with the fun and prolific artist team known at the Cardboard Institute of Technology (C.I.T.) who will be turning the gallery into an interactive race car track made entirely of cardboard.
Duties include:
- Assisting artists with the creating the installation
- Working with the artists and public for three scheduled “make” sessions
- Assisting with the care and upkeep of the installation for the duration of the exhibition
This is an unpaid, summer internship. We are looking for 4-5 people to work with us hands on for the the duration of the exhibit and de/installation periods. The exhibition is on view June 10 through August 12, 2012. Schedule will be flexible, but we ask that interns commit to the full length of the project.
For more information please contact Kerri Johnson at 925-295-1436 or kjohnson@bedfordgallery.org
Spotted on top of the parking garage in the back of Broadway Plaza across from Boudin Bakery.
The musical Sunset Blvd. will be playing at the Lesher Center in downtown Walnut Creek beginning March 16th through April 15th. Tickets can be purchased here. It is being put on by the Contra Costa Musical Theatre. From their website:
A magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Silent movie star Norma Desmond longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by tinsel town with the advent of “talkies”. When she meets struggling Hollywood screen-writer Joe Gillis in dramatic circumstnces, their volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion. Extravagant, spectacular, witty and genuinely poetic – this is Lloyd Webber at his most lushly melodic! Winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Meet the Cast
Norma Desmond: Annmarie Martin*
Joe Gillis: Robert Lopez
Max Von Mayerling: Gene Bencomo
Betty Schaefer: Nicole Helfer
Cecil B. DeMille: Tom Flynn
Artie Green: Joshua Milbourne
Sheldrake: Mark Eichorn
Manfred: John RinaldiMen’s Ensemble:
Jim Coniglio
Mark Eichorn
Joshua Milbourne
John Rinaldi
Erik Scanlon
Austin Scott
Jay Serpas
Greg ZemaWomen’s Ensemble:
Joan Evans
Melissa Heinrich
Dawn Krapfel
Linda Sciacqua
Jennifer Stark
Ann Taylor
Jennifer West
Diella Wottrich
Spotted at the parking garage next to Lesher Center in downtown Walnut Creek:
Josh Keyes, Treadmill, 2006
A gift to the City of Walnut Creek
in memory of Susan Booth
longtime friend of Bedford Gallery
The Lesher Center in downtown Walnut Creek is hosting four Jazz performances this summer. According to the website the series is close to sold out so get on the wait list ASAP if interested. From their website:
Presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association, the new series will bring you the very best of jazz: thrilling, swinging, surprising and bluesy, but always entertaining.
The 300-seat Margaret Lesher Theatre will sell out quickly – subscribe now!
Location: Walnut Creek, Lesher Center
Price: $99 for all 4 shows
Dates/Performers:
Artist: Judith Foosaner
Title: Breaking and Entering #12
Year: 2012
Medium: acrylic on paper on canvas
Location: Contemporary – 2nd floor
As noted a couple of days ago, there is plenty of local artwork permanently on display around the new Neiman Marcus store in Walnut Creek. On the press preview tour some of the artists were at the store so I was lucky to able to take photos of four of the artists with their artwork in the background. It was really great to be able to talk with them about their commissioned pieces and how the Neiman Marcus curator was able to place each piece in the most appropriate spot.
A couple of things to be aware of, this artwork is on permanent display, it does not get rotated out over time. Also, in deference to the artwork, Neiman Marcus does not display merchandise in front of the art. That’s pretty incredible as they lose out on display space, but it’s great for the shopper who can appreciate the art better.
Artist: Kim Squaglia
Title: Bespoken
Year: 2012
Medium: Acrylic, oil and resin on panel
Location: Men’s Furnishings – 1st floor
Check out two more artists after the jump