Art Picks- November 2011
Posted on November 10, 2011 – 7:31 PM | by Admin
Oliver Jackson
B. Sakata Garo
November 1 – December 3
Reception: November 12, 6 – 9PM
Each college seems to have one professor who comes to epitomize the art program. In Davis, it was Robert Arneson. At Sac City it was Fred Dalkey. At CSUS it was painter Oliver Jackson. I’ve never met Oliver Jackson, and I’ve seen very little of his art in person – but I have heard about him from nearly every person I know who studied with him at Sac State. If you have any doubt that he left his stamp on the program, just take a look at the crop of painters CSUS turns out year after year. Nearly a decade after Jackson’s retirement, the program still shows a distinct Ab Ex ethos that can largely be traced back to Jackson’s doorstep. Here’s your chance (and mine) to see what all the fuss was about.
923 20th Street
Hours: Tues – Sat, Noon – 6PM
all-purpose filler
Nathan Cordero
Bows and Arrows
November 4 – December 1
Reception: November 4, 6 – 10PM
Regular readers may remember our August ‘Reader’s Choice’ issue where Bows and Arrows swept the categories, picking up a pile of awards. One of those wins was for ‘Best Art Gallery,’ and the solid lineup of shows they’ve put up this year indicates that our readers weren’t voting through their hats. This month they’ve got Nathan Cordero, fresh off his stunning Nelson Gallery show that I wrote about back in July. OK, let’s be honest here. How many of you actually got in the car, drove across the causeway, paid the parking and checked out the Davis show? OK, that’s what I thought. So here’s your chance to see some of the best work being produced in the region right now, right here on the grid. Still not convinced? Don’t just take my word for it – no less an authority then the Bee’s Victoria Dalkey called Nate’s work “compelling” and called him “an artist on his way up.” Don’t miss.
1815 19th Street
Hours: Tues- Sat, 11AM – 11PM
Birdhouses
A Fundraiser for the Kondos Gallery
November 10 – December 8
Kondos Gallery
Reception: November 10, 5 – 7PM
Last year’s Birdhouse show was a fun surprise – one might think that there was only so much that could be done with the concept of ‘artist-made birdhouses’ but the artists really rose to the occasion. This year nearly 60 California artists have submitted and since this is a fundraiser for the Kondos Gallery you might even be able to take home your favorite!
Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Boulevard
Hours: Mon – Fri, noon- 4PM
An Intimate Evening with Amiri Baraka and Ben F. Jones
The Guild Theater
November 12, 2PM
Evolve the Gallery is presenting this event featuring two giants of the African American arts community: poet, playwright and activist Amiri Baraka, and artist Ben F. Jones. While most will have heard of Baraka (formerly known as LeRoi Jones), Ben F. Jones may be less familiar. A graduate of Pratt, Jones first gained notice in the early seventies for Black Face and Arm Unit, a colorful 1971 installation work that riffs on African body painting traditions with a series of dislocated heads and arms. At about the same time he was creating an engaging series of psychedelic portraits of African Americans that perfectly captured the spirit of the times. Throughout his career, Jones seems to have replicated that feat – his work continually evolves, always staying in step with the era. The conversation between Baraka (a fan) and Jones should be interesting. Please note that VIP ticketholders will have the opportunity to attend an intimate post-event reception with Baraka and Jones.
2828 35th Street
Tickets may be purchased online at http://barakaandjones.eventbrite.com/ or at Evolve the Gallery (2907 35th Street; please call first: 916 572 5123)
Early Bird: $20; General: $25; Seniors and Students: $20; VIP: $50
2011 Benefit Art Auction For the Center for Contemporary Art Sacramento
November 19, 6PM
The Center For Contemporary Art’s annual art auction is one of the best opportunities to pick up art from local artists at extra-affordable, recessionista prices. This year will be a little bit different than usual; they’re holding the auction off site – in Old Sac, no less. One thing that hasn’t changed is that the list of contributing artists is STELLAR. There are over 100 pieces available, from artist like Phil Amrhein, Milton Bowens, Boyd Gavin, Mel Smothers, Jiayi and Shih-Wen Young – and 94 or so others. The show may be previewed from Noon – 5 PM, November 4-6; 11-13; 15-18 and November 19th from Noon – 2 PM. Tickets to the auction party are $25, and may be purchased at CCAS, on the phone, or online at www.ccasac.org. Tickets are EXTREMELY limited, so buy soon!
128 “K” Street in Old Sacramento
For tickets or information: 916.498.9811
Short list:
ARC Artist Lecture Series
Nigel Poor, Kerik Kouklis and Jennifer Wu
American River College
November 3, 16, 30
Artist (and ARC professor) Joy Bertinuson is coordinating a series of artists’ lectures at American River College. There are three this month, all photography focused. First up, artist and photographer Nigel Poor, November 3; next is Kerik Kouklis, known for nineteenth century photographic techniques, November 16; last up is nature photographer Jennifer Wu. Looks like an interesting series, and best of all- parking is only $1!
American River College, Fine Arts, Room 547; 7PM
“Cooking Up Something Real Good”
Milk Gallery
Opens November 10
Debut show from a brand new gallery. I don’t have a lot of details here, but judging from the 18 artists in this group show (including Gioia Fonda, Gale Hart, Peter Stegall, Eddie Stein and John Tarahteeff) it looks like their aesthetics might be a mix of Tangent, A Bitchin’ Space and Solomon Dubnick. Stop by Thursday, November 10 from 6-10PM or late on Second Sat (8-11PM) to check it out.
212 13th Street
New Portraits – Rogelio Manzo
ZOO – Anne Gregory
Skinner Howard Contemporary Art
November 12 – December 3
Artist Rogelio Manzo returns to Skinner Howard for a follow-up to last year’s portrait show. Manzo’s work is marked by an interesting use of materials (especially carriers) and Francis Bacon-like imagery. Anne Gregory presents her take on the ‘Zoo’ ALL of us find ourselves in. Her large mixed media and charcoal works are rich, figurative and heavily Picasso-influenced.
723 S Street