It may be small, but from small acorns, big oaks grow. That could be the slogan of AmadorArts’ effort to have a bit of storefront visibility in the region. The non-profit, which began in 1982, is holding a grand opening of its gallery and office on Saturday, February 2.
The public is invited to celebrate by dropping by 11-A Randolph St. in Sutter Creek from 1–7p.m. Those are the hours of First Saturdays Art Trek, a monthly event they can now participate in. If you come by between 4–6p.m., you’ll be part of the premiere Artists Reception honoring the first three artists to exhibit. Guitarist Keith Evans will be performing, wine will flow, and there will be finger foods for all!
The new office/gallery of AmadorArts is adjacent to the historic Monteverde Store, now a museum, a block off Main Street; turn at Back Roads Café. The front room of arts council’s space is surrounded on all sides by a mural painted by long-time Amador artist and high school art teacher Rand Huggett. The history of Sutter Creek is cleverly depicted on a backdrop of the natural scenery of the Motherlode. The second room of the space is where local artists will be featured on an ever-changing basis. It’s also the office of new Executive Director Terra Forgette who’ll be present February 2 to meet and greet.
The first artists asked to show their works have been involved for many years with various aspects of the growth of AmadorArts. Sharon Galligan, whose colorful watercolors reflect many places around the world, has been on the Board of Directors of the council for over 20 years. She once organized the many exhibits at the old Sutter Creek Schoolhouse when the council occupied that large historic building in the 1990s. Her style ranges from realism to impressionism to occasional abstracts. Galligan has been in many juried shows and group exhibitions including in the Crocker, Triton, and Haggin Museums.
Likewise, Howard Rees has been helping AmadorArts nearly as long. His media is watercolor and oils. Rees loves painting and working with other artists. He conducts fun-filled, informative workshops in his studio, and “Plein Air” classes throughout the United States and Europe. He has produced three instructional videos on painting with watercolors, oils and painting from photographs, which will be available at the show.
Sarah Dixon, of the same generation as Galligan and Rees, is a relative newcomer to the region, but she’s offered her assistance at many events and planning meetings. Dixon, who works in oils and watercolor, divides her time between the San Francisco Bay Area and Atlanta. She brings to her work a background in dance and floral design that produces lyrical and whimsical paintings rendered precisely in vibrant colors.
Many events are planned to keep the gallery a center for arts activities, including arts-related meetings, art receptions and as the seasons change, surprises for guests. Regular hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9a.m. to 2p.m. Plus, on the First Saturdays Art Trek, hours will be 1–7p.m. For more information, please visit
amadorarts.org.
Blog Post information and picture courtesy of AmadorArts.
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