Suzanne Long's figurative piece of a squirrel's head on a human body is one of several works featured in Arts Benicia's "Art of a Community" exhibit. (Photo by Suzanne Long)
The biggest gather of Arts Benicia’s member artists’ works will return to Benicia on Saturday, with one of the gallery’s longest-running annual exhibitions “The Art of a Community.”
Since its inception in 1995, “Art of a Community” has been a means to showcase the work of Arts Benicia member artists from the community and beyond. Artists hail from Benicia, of course, but also come from as far away as Sacramento, Napa, San Francisco and even Brentwood. Some artists are from other local galleries but are still members of Arts Benicia. Mary Shaw, retiring exhibitions and programs manager, estimates that between 400 and 450 artists are showcasing their work this year. One thing Shaw likes about the work featured this year is the variety of forms used.
“The range of work is amazing,” she said.
Every form under the sun is represented at “The Art of a Community,” from paintings to photography to ceramics to mixed media. Some of the notable pieces by veteran artists include an interactive hand crank designed by former Arts Benicia Director Larnie Fox, a dog made out recycled wood by Bob Nelson, an assemblage work by Jeff Snell of a warship and octopus tentacles made out of reclaimed cardboard, a ceramic sculpture by Pam Dixon inspired by Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and a figurative piece of a squirrel’s head on a human body designed by Suzanne Long.
The exhibit is also a showcase for the works of new member artists, including photography by Chayton Marino, paintings by Geri Arata, textiles by sisters Holly and Anita Jessop, and Hannah Haywood who designed a mixed media garden chair.
Shaw said “The Art of a Community” can be a good showcase for new member artists to make a name for themselves.
“It’s difficult for a new artist, amateur artist or unestablished artist to show their work,” she said. “It’s a difficult process responding to calls, it’s sort of expensive going to art fairs and things like that, so this is an opportunity for them to show their work.”
Additionally, Shaw said it is a good opportunity to see what member artists have contributed so they could potentially be showcased at other venues like The Rellik Tavern, Olson Realty, Estey Real Estate and the City Council Chambers, all under the “Arts Benicia Presents” banner.
“If you are an Arts Benicia member and you have something of a body of work, we have curators for each site and they can come in during ‘Art of the Community,’ and they can look and see what member artists are doing and think about if that work would be good for a venue that they curate.”
Returning this year is the Ekphrastic Poetry Reading, in which members of Benicia First Tuesday Poetry Group come to the gallery, look at the work, write a poem about one of the pieces and read them to the artist that created the piece.
“It’s a really nice, full circle event,” Shaw said.
The reading will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. The event is being coordinated by Poet Laureate Johanna Ely and poet and Arts Benicia member Thomas Eric Stanton.
Shaw hopes that viewers will enjoy the depth and breadth of the artistic work in Benicia, which she views as a true art community.
“Benicia is a destination town,” she said. “It’s sort of a hidden gem, and we have been very involved in the tourism department. We want visitors to come see the art in Benicia, and this is a great start to the year. It’s basically paving the path for Open Studios in the first week of May.”
This year’s “Art of a Community” is a rather bittersweet one as it is the last exhibit that Shaw will be handling before she moves on. Shaw was promoted as exhibitions and programs manager before Open Studios in 2011 and has had a hand in more than 70 exhibits, including a current exhibition at the Benicia Historical Museum titled “Drop By Drop: A Brief History of Benicia Water Through the Eyes of its Artists,” which she curated solo. Jean Purnell, Arts Benicia’s development associate, said Shaw had left an indelible legacy during her time in the position.
“She’s been directing hands between all the other programs that Arts Benicia has coordinated,” she said. “Some of them are collaborations with other organizations, some with the schools, some with other nonprofits, maybe even some other galleries. It’s a huge treasure of cultural enrichment.”
Shaw will be succeeded by Lisa Jetonne Quintero.
“The Art of a Community” will open on Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 25. A reception will be held Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. The Community Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 3, where nonmember artists and the general public can see what Arts Benicia is all about. Doughnuts and coffee will be served, and art demonstrations will be performed. All events will be held at Arts Benicia’s gallery, located at 991 Tyler St., Suite No. 114. gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information, visit artsbenicia.org.
