SUMMER OF '09 ARCHIVES: Yoga influences local painter's work

All right, this was the last article I contributed to the Herald during my internship. It's an interview with local artist Susan Summerfield Kozak about a new exhibit she had at the library. After this, it was a weeklong road trip up to Oregon, then I started DVC and I'd be happy to fill in the gaps to anyone else who wants to know. Needless to say, when I had my last day at the Herald, I really thought that was going to be it. I didn't think I'd ever be returning to the paper, and I certainly didn't think I'd be returning on a much bigger level. However, that's a story for another day.

Library to honor works of late Benicia artists

(Originally published in the 3/23/16 edition)

   The Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Gallery will soon be filled with the works by two recently deceased Benicia artists who were valuable beacons to the community, not only as artists but also as educators. The exhibit will be titled “Recollection: A Gathering of Work by Katrina Van Male and Bonnie Weidel.”

   Exhibit curator Kathryn Weller Renfrow said the library gallery committee wanted to honor the works of these two artists.

   “Both of these artists were teachers of young people in Benicia, and I was the director of Arts Benicia for 15 years, so I knew both of them pretty well and I knew a lot of their students some of whom grew up to become artists,” she said. “They’re very indebted to these two people.”

   Weidel studied visual arts at the University of California, Berkeley and later picked up her masters degree in early childhood education at Sonoma State University. She taught private art classes to elementary schoolers and toddlers, founded Benicia Community Arts in 1980 and organized the Art in the Park event for many years. She also had a studio in the Arsenal and served as a member of Benicia Unified School District’s Governing Board from 2007 to 2011. Weidel died in April 2014 at the age of 84.

   Van Male graduated from the University of Denver and moved to Benicia in the late ‘60s. Van Male began doing sketches, wood prints and painting before moving on to clay. She mentored a lot of young Benicia artists with her unique approach to ceramics.

   “Katrina gave ceramic sculpture classes in her studio for many years,” Renfrow said. “Katrina was very brave and taught ceramics as an art medium rather than just making bowls. She tried to impart the idea of creating sculptures out of clay.”

   Van Male’s sculptures were inspired by indigenous cultures like the Inuit, and she often incorporated bones, sticks, shells and other natural materials. Some pieces were a few inches, while others were 6 feet tall. 

   “The large pieces are difficult to move and install, so we won’t have them in this show,” Renfrow said.

   Van Male was also both a student and an instructor at Solano Community College, where she taught ceramics. Van Male died in August 2015 at the age of 80.

    Renfrow said both artists have left a treasurable imprint on the community.

   “I’ve already shown people some of their work, and so many people knew them as teachers to their kids or as students themselves,” she said. “They didn’t really look at the work these two made. They were focused on what their kids were learning, not what their teachers were creating.”

   “Everyone’s full of gratitude for what they contributed to the community as teachers and what they’re leaving us as artists,” Renfrow added.

   “Recollection” will be on display from Saturday, April 2 to Sunday, May 8 at the library, located on 150 East L St. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 6 p.m., Fridays through Sundays. A reception will be held 2 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, April 2. For more information, call the library at (707) 746-4343.

"Lady with Big Collar" by Bonnie Weidel

"Untitled" by Katrina Van Male

Library will screen documentary exploring view of masculinity

(Originally published in the 3/17/16 edition)

   “Man up”…”Be a man”…”Boys don’t cry”…”You’re acting like a girl.”

   These are among the many common phrases that emphasize what society has determined what it means to be a man. Dictionary.com defines masculinity as “Something traditionally considered to be characteristic of a male” and lists among its synonyms “machismo,” “muscularity,” “strength” and “manliness.” Under this definition, a man is considered a man if he is tough and does not show emotion.

   But could this narrow definition of masculinity possibly have a damaging effect on young males? This is a question posed by the documentary, “The Mask You Live in,” which will be screened at Benicia Public Library next week. 

   “The Mask You Live in” was directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom. The filmmaker had previously directed the 2011 documentary “Miss Representation,” which examined the poor portrayal of women in the media and how it contributed to the underrepresentation of women in powerful positions. The movie was an official selection at several film festivals across the country— including the Sundance Film Festival—and inspired Newsom to launch The Representation Project, a nonprofit aimed at using film for promoting positive portrayals of genders and combating stereotypes. 

   According to Library Teen Services Director Brandi Bette Smead, Benicia Public Library screened “Miss Represenation” after being approached by a parent. The screening was a huge success and prompted much discussion. 

   “The audience just came up with some really amazing questions,” she said. “The library closed at 9, and we actually didn’t finish our discussion until after the library had closed.” 

   When Smead heard Newsom was working on another documentary, she determined the library would do another screening when the movie came out.

   Whereas “Miss Representation” focused on the portrayal of women in the media, for “The Mask You Live in,” Newsom chose to set her sights on society’s portrayal of men and how it feeds into people’s perceptions of what it means to be masculine. According to “The Mask You Live in,” movies, TV shows, athletics, comic books and even some forms of music propagate the notion that men have to be strong and unsentimental to affirm their manhood. What this creates is a standard that young males feel they have to live up to, and the film argues that it has negative effects on their livelihoods. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, when compared to girls, boys are more likely to drop out of school, be enrolled in special education classes or be expelled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also noted that three or more boys commit suicide every day and suicide is the third leading cause of death for boys. 

   Smead hopes the audience at next week’s screening is a mixture of teens and adults to provide different points of view.

   “If they’re an adult, they can say what it was like when they were a teenager being told to man up or hide your emotions,” she said. “I want to hear from girls’ points of view as well. I want a total mix in the audience.”

   “There’s a lot of teenagers who consider themselves gender fluid, so I’d like to hear from some of them,” she added. 

   Smead is also hoping to have a small panel consisting of a Benicia Unified School District psychologist, district teacher and student to help facilitate the discussion, which she hopes will be influential to attendees.

   “I think it’s important for everyone to understand- whether you’re a guy or a girl-to understand the pressures that society puts on you,” she said. “I think everyone should be free to respond naturally, not in a way that gender tells them they have to.”

   Smead says the film will give people plenty to talk about afterwards.

   “Whether or not the conversation is finished, it will open up a conversation to be continued,” she said.

   “The Mask You Live in” will be screened at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 23 at the Benicia Public Library, located at 150 E L St. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (707) 746-4343. 

Poster courtesy of Benicia Public Library

   

   

Library exhibit captures Benicia's waterfront

(Originally published in the 3/3/16 edition)

   “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown.”

   Tony Hatch might not have had Benicia in mind when he wrote Petula Clark’s biggest hit, but his words are definitely applicable. As citizens become bogged down in the bad news of the world and the implications of the presidential election, they can find solace in walking down First Street and beyond.

   Or as Mernie Buchanan and Nancy Freeman put it in the title of their newest exhibit at the Benicia Public Library, “Let’s go for a walk.” 

   For the next four weeks, visitors of the Marilyn Citron O’Rourke Art Gallery will be treated to paintings by the two artists that capture the lighthearted essence of Benicia’s waterfront. Buchanan says the exhibit was inspired by her chihuahua Faun.

   “In the two years since I’ve had this little dog, I’ve been forced to get out and walk twice a day,” she said. “I’m usually a hermit in my studio.”

   In that time, Buchanan has gotten to know her neighbors and see a different perspective on the town she has been painting in for 28 years. 

   “I have met more of my neighbors walking along the trails on the waterfront and seeing everybody else with their dogs,” she said. “It’s so bright and pretty and friendly.” 

   Last summer, Buchanan began doing paintings of scenes along the waterfront and figured it would make for a good library show. Having done three prior solo exhibits at the library, which she said take a lot of work to fill the gallery’s space, she decided she would recruit another local artist and settled on Freeman.

   “I love Nancy’s style,” she said. “She’s got a unique way of painting very sophisticated paintings in sort of a primitive, fun way. You never get bored looking at her work.”

   Buchanan approached Freeman with the possibility of the two of them doing an exhibit at the library.

   “Boy, that would be a project for the winter,” Freeman responded. 

   After the idea was accepted by the library, the two spent months capturing scenes of Benicia with their paintbrushes, and Buchanan was thrilled with the results. 

   “We painted all winter, and it turned out to be just beautiful,” she said. “It’s better than I even imagined.” 

   The two painted scenes as varied as the Thursday farmers market, the marina and lots and lots of dogs. The largest painting in the gallery is Buchanan’s “Dog Friendly,” which has various dogs and their owners by the First Street shops.

   “it’s the first one I did in this series just to see if I could do this huge painting capturing the feel of how dog friendly this town is,” she said. “They’re all really friendly with each other- both the people and the dogs.” 

   Buchanan says she hopes the exhibit will inspire people to explore their town more.

   “Even if you don’t have a dog, get out there and walk along the trials,” she said. “Just open your eyes to what a blessing we have with all these beautiful trails along the waterfront. Pretty much the title says it: ‘Let’s go for a walk.’”

   “Let’s Go For a Walk” will be on display through Saturday, March 26 in the library’s Dona Benicia Room, located at 150 East L St. A reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 19 where patrons will view the art, enjoy treats and light refreshments and meet the artists. For more information, visit BeniciaLibrary.org/gallery. 

"First Street Thursday Evening" by Mernie Buchanan

"Dog Friendly" by Mernie Buchanan

"Buoys and Gulls" by Nancy Freeman

"12th Street Gang" by Nancy Freeman

   

   

Trivia Bee to honor past winners

(Originally published in the 1/20/16 edition)

   The nominees for the 88th annual Academy Awards were announced last week, and while your favorite film might or might not receive the coveted Best Picture statue, there is a chance that you could win a shiny award of your own. You just have to be really smart.

   The Benicia Public Library will be hosting its 25th annual Trivia Bee fundraiser at the Clock Tower. As in past years, the contest will consist of teams of three members who will participate in three rounds of questions. The questions will be in the categories of history, geography, entertainment, local history, science and a wild card which has to do with the theme of the event. This year’s theme will be Hollywood and the Academy Awards. 

   “The first round is the easiest round, and then we disqualify some people,” Administrative Secretary Helaine Bowles said. “The first round is 14 questions on various topics, and 19 is the highest score that will compete in the semifinals. In the next round, there’s five teams left, and the third round decides who the first, second and third place is.”

   Additionally, this edition of the Trivia Bee will be honoring past winners of the contest. Bowles said the previous champions would be honored with special awards, but she would not give details on what exactly they would receive. 

   Even those who are not competing on teams will be able to participate on some level, Bowles said.

   “We normally have a total of between 250 and 300 people that attend the event,” she said. “They can play at their seats, but they have to be quiet because they can’t shout out the answers. If you’re there, you’ll see all the tables where people can write down their answers.”

   Once again, the audience is encouraged to dress up in accordance with the theme of the event. Last year’s theme was “Alice’s Adventures in Library Land,” so people came dressed as characters from “Alice in Wonderland.” This year, attendees can dress up like celebrities or people going to the Oscars. There will be a prize for the best costume. 

   Bowles hopes the contest will provide participants and attendees a chance to have a good time and support the library.

   “This is a major fundraiser for the library,” she said.

   Doors for the Trivia Bee will open at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Clock Tower, located at 1189 Washington St. Openings for teams are still available, so interested participants can call 746-4358 or check the library’s website for the registration form. The cost to have a team is $300, including a dinner catered by First Street Cafe. 

   For people who just want to watch, tickets will be on sale starting Feb. 1 at the library or through EventBrite.com. There will also be a no-host bar, silent auction and raffle. Early bird tickets are $30, but after Feb. 22 the price will go up to $40. A table can be reserved with the purchase of 8 or more tickets. 

"Longmire" author to speak at Benicia Public Library

(Originally published in the 1/12/16 edition)

   Craig Johnson, the best-selling author of the “Walt Longmire Mysteries” series, will be coming to the Benicia Public Library for a presentation and Q-and-A session.

   Johnson’s 12 books have been critical and commercials successes, with some placing on the New York Times Best Seller list and others winning numerous book awards. The books follow the investigations of Walt Longmire, a Wyoming sheriff who inquires into crimes within his jurisdiction while campaigning for re-election.

   The books also spawned the TV series “Longmire,” which ran on the A&E network for three seasons with the premiere boasting the highest rated debut in the channel’s history. For its fourth season, the series was picked up by Netflix where it will also run for a fifth season. The Wyoming town of Buffalo celebrates an event called Longmire Days, which Johnson attends along with close to 10,000 others.

   Johnson has done several speaking engagements across the country, including one in Corte Madera last year which Library Director Fran Martinez Coyne attended with a colleague. 

   “My colleague said ‘Well, let’s just email him and see what it takes to get him to Benicia,’” Coyne said. “I had no idea how much it would cost or if I would have to go to a booking agent, so I just sent him an email.” 

   Coyne did not immediately get a reply back to her email or the followup she sent. She stopped pursuing the opportunity until Johnson finally did get back to her.

   “Out of the blue, he sent me an email and said ‘I’m doing some research, I’m in your area and this is the day I have,’” she said. “I had no leeway, I had only one day that he was available in Benicia. I checked my schedule and fortunately my meeting room was available.”

   “It was serendipity for me,” she added. “It kind of just happened, and it worked out.”

   Coyne has watched episodes of “Longmire” and listened to audiobooks of his novels, which she says are very impressive. 

   “The ‘Longmire’ show is actually shot in New Mexico, where I’m from,” she said. “The characters in the books and the series are very believable, and the twists and turns that happen to make it a fun read.”

   Johnson will be screening a “Longmire” episode of his choosing, which will last approximately 45 minutes. Afterwards he will give a book talk and open the floor for a Q-and-A. There will also be books for sale provided by Bookshop Benicia.

   Coyne says audiences should find plenty to enjoy about his presentation.

   “He’s an amazing speaker,” she said. “I’ve only heard him once, but people have come up to me and say they are very excited to hear him again.”

   The event will take place 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Library, located on 150 East L St. The event is free, but attendees will need to RSVP through the website, located at BeniciaLibary.org. Friends of the Benicia Library and the Shorelight Inn will be sponsoring the event. For more information, contact the Library at 746-4343. 

   

Free library concert to spotlight Martinez band

(Originally published in the 12/3/15 edition)

   Why shell out hundreds of dollars to see great music performed live? You can see it in your local community for free at your local library.

   The Diablo Regional Concert Band will be performing its annual winter concert at the Benicia Public Library, Dec. 11. The Martinez-based group has been performing for over a century, having first come together in 1910 as the Martinez Liberty Band. It eventually became the Diablo Regional Concert Band and has been performing with various conductors ever since.

   The all-volunteer band has performed annually for the Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Parade, Benicia’s Holy Ghost Parade and various events for the Benicia Yacht Club. The band has also performed multiple times at the Golden Gate Park Band Festival in San Francisco.

   According to Library Director Fran Martinez Coyne, the band first became involved with the library over a decade ago when then-conductor Frank Cavoto approached staff about the possibility of performing there. 

   “He wanted to play in the fireplace area, which is the first time anyone had ever done that,” Coyne said. “He really liked the sound.”

   The group has since gone on to perform two annual concerts a year, one in the spring and one in the winter. 

   “The band has found that the library is a wonderful place to perform, the acoustics are great and the audience is always responsive,” Martens said.

   Coyne says the band is a huge hit among audience members.

   “The community does enjoy seeing them,” she said. “I have regulars who ask about whether the band is coming. I always get rave reviews.”

  The band will perform a special holiday show. The concert will include favorites like “Sleigh Ride,” “I'll Be Home for Christmas” and a piece of Hanukkah songs.

   Coyne admires the band’s devotion to its audiences.

   “I’ve seen their dedication through the years,” she said. “Even if it’s raining, I’ve had people coming in. It’s just a very nice group of core people.”

   The Diablo Regional Concert Band will be performing 7:30 p.m., Friday Dec. 11 in the Library’s fireplace area. The concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, contact the Library at (707)-746-4343. For more information on the band, visit DiabloRegionalConcertBand.com. 

Fabric art goes beyond paint

(Originally published in the 11/6/15 edition)

   Art is more than just paint on a canvas. As the art collective Threads of Change will demonstrate, many other materials can be used to create art.

   The group-consisting of seven artists from Benicia and Vallejo- will have an exhibition on display at the Benicia Public Library titled “Material Matters.” The exhibit will feature various works of fiber art from the seven artists.

   What is fiber art? According to Threads of Change member Kathy Manifold, fiber art uses different kinds of threads and fabric to create art. This includes wool, cardboard and other less traditional art materials. 

   “You can do it in traditional form, which would be a quilt, or you can do it by weaving fibers together to make a beautiful object,” she said. “One of the unique things about us is that we each have different approaches to how we use fiber.”

   Manifold got her start doing costume design for summer stock productions in New York, which inspired her to take on a different kind of art.

   “I found that I understand texture better than I understand creating texture with paint,” she said.

   After retiring from costume design, Manifold found a second calling by creating fabric art inspired by her husband’s nature photography, which she says has more depth. 

   “It’s exciting to try and get the emotional context and emotional depth into my artwork,” she said. 

   Manifold met fellow fiber artist Anne Petty after the latter did a fabric art show in the City Council chamber last year. The two were joined by fellow local fiber artists Nancy Freeman, Linda Hubbard, Susan Lane, Margaret Linderman and Jan Radesky, and the seven put on their own show, “Threads of Change: New Trends in Fiber Art.” 

   “(Petty) came and talked to me and then she talked to others in the community that she knew were doing that kind of work,” she said. “We found that in working to put the show together, we really enjoyed each other’s company. When we got the opportunity to do a second show, we decided to form a little fabric art collective.”

   At that point, Threads of Change was born, giving the artists a venue to not only create art together but also learn from one another.

   “When they help you get better at what you’re doing, they do it with a graciousness,” Manifold said. “We also push each other to get better at our arts. We’re constantly growing as a group in our ability and our creativity.”

   Each of the seven artists come from different backgrounds, ranging from performing arts to fine art to art education, and Manifold says they all bring a unique voice to each of their artwork.

   “One woman has taught collage for years, so she is making fantastic clothing like coats and skirts,” Manifold said. “She’s doing them with symbolic collage where she does a picture that has meaning to her and puts them onto a garment you can actually wear.”

   The artists will be holding a reception on Sunday, Dec. 6 where they will show the techniques used to create their artwork and walk viewers through the process. Viewers will be able to ask questions and are also encouraged to feel the artwork.

   “Part of textile is how it feels, so I’m hopeful parents will bring their children and I’ll let them touch the work,” Manifold said. 

   “Material Matters” will run from Nov. 23 to Jan. 9 in the Marilyn O’Rourke Gallery of the Library, which is located on 150 East L St. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. The reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. For more information, visit ThreadsOfChange.net.

Classical guitarist to bring holiday cheer at free library concert

(Originally published in the 11/3/15 edition)

   Christmas will come to the Benicia Public Library early this year, as the Dona Benicia Room will be filled with the classical guitar stylings of Peter Fletcher on Nov. 15.

   Of course, Benicia will be just one stop for the New York City-based classical guitarist who is doing a national tour to promote his new CD “Music for the Christmas Season.” Fletcher will be playing selections from his new album as well as works he has recorded in the past.

   Fletcher began studying guitar at the age of 7 under classical guitar instructor John Sutherland.

   “I was told that if I start with the classical style, then other styles would come easier,” Fletcher said. “I did some recordings and decided to stay with classical and have loved it ever since.”

   Fletcher has been performing professionally since the age of 15, and his journey has taken him to appearances on NPR and full houses at Carnegie Hall. 

   After being requested by fans, Fletcher finally decided to make a Christmas album. The CD features classical guitar arrangements of holiday standards like “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” as well as classical compositions associated with the season, like Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from “The Nutcracker.” Other highlights on the record include three pieces from Michael Praetorius’s “Terpsichore,” the traditional Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts,” and “Jubilation” by contemporary guitarist Andrew York.

   Fletcher has played at the Benicia Library before and has gained enough of a following in Benicia for Fran Martinez-Coyne to invite him to play again. 

   “We thought it was time for a return visit,” Fletcher said. 

   In addition to performing music from the CD, Fletcher will also be performing some of the selections he performed at Carnegie Hall last spring, like Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Prelude No. 1,” as well as selections from an album he did of recordings of compositions by Edvard Grieg. 

   There will be two different portions of the show where he uses two different guitars designed by Darren Hippner.

   “I use a spruce top for the first half of the concert and a cedar top for the second half,” he said. “The spruce top is more suited for the first half like Bach. The idea is that the clarity will bring out the texture of the music.”

   “The cedar has a warmer, sweeter, darker tone, which I feel is more suited for the Romantic tone, which I’ll play in the second half of the concert.”

   The Benicia Library is nowhere near as large as Carnegie Hall, but Fletcher says he has no preference between large and small venues.

   “I consider all performances equally important,” he said. “I have as much fun, and I try to play my best whether it’s a library or a larger venue.”

   That said, Fletcher does like the intimacy of the smaller performances. 

   “You have more options,” he said. “You can play more quietly and have a bit more range dynamically. With a larger hall, you can’t play as quiet.”

   Overall, Fletcher enjoys being able to create and share music.

   “I enjoy the practicing, the recording and the process of making something beautiful,” he said. “When you have a life in music, you get an education- not in the practical things of living, but an education in feeling and beauty and poetry.”

   The concert will take place at 6 p.m., Sunday Nov. 15, in the Dona Benicia Room of the Library, located on 150 East L St. The event is free and open to all ages.