A 2015 Recap of Gallery Shows from the San Geronimo Valley Community Center

Here’s a recap of some of the art shows I organized this last year in the Maurice Del Mue Galleries at the San Geronimo Valley Center (Below is a slightly edited version of a piece I wrote for Stone Soup, the SGVCC newspaper).

In my time spent as the Center’s Visual Arts Coordinator, organizing and hosting our monthly art exhibits, I can’t think of a year more gratifying and personally enriching than this one.
I’ve had the chance to work with some truly fine fine artists and the opportunity to offer the community some exciting shows

Here is a brief, incomplete survey:

This last October we hosted a memorial art exhibit for the master artist and Lagunitas resident, Art Holman.

Over his long career, Holman exhibited at the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art as well Stanford University, Legion of Honor, Oakland Museum, diRosa Art Preserve, Mills College, Des Moines Art Center, Eureka College, Illinois and the De Young Museum.The show was a mere glimpse of a 50 + year dedication to art. Art Holman’s work most likely will not be seen (especially in a solo exhibit) for some time to come.

In April we presented the work of Zhaohui Liu and Song Feng Liu--two brothers with prestigious art careers steeped in two diverse artistic traditions.

Zhaohui's work looked like the paintings of an old European master but the Lagunitas resident was born in Ningxia, China in 1963. Before coming to the United States, Zhaohui exhibited at the Beijing National Gallery. In the US, he studied at the National Academy and exhibited at the Dahesh Museum before coming to Marin.

His brother, Song Feng, visiting last spring from Ningxia, has a very long resume of art associations and awards including the "Ministry of Culture Bronze Award" and “Outstanding Chinese Artists Exhibition Gold Medal”. His playful work has a contemporary take on traditional forms of Chinese artwork.  Song Feng brought his work over from China specifically for this family exhibit.

Moonalice performing at the International Day of Peace Festival

Festival host Wavy Gravy

Last September the Center took part in The United Nations’ International Day of Peace by celebrating with an all day festival to recognize the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace.

                                       Art by Helen Webber, Sam Parry and Donn DeAngelo

In conjunction with the Center’s International Day of Peace Festival we presented a group art exhibit -- What Does Peace Look Like? --showcasing works by local artists on the subject of “peace”-- tolerance, respect, compassion, reconciliation, justice, equity, communication, equality, kindness; peace-building activities, creating food and shelter and inner peace.

                                       Helen Strang

                                       Donn  DeAngelo

Artists included Alexandra Adu, Jeffrey Beauchamp, Veronica Buros Kleinberg, Donn DeAngelo, Gaetano De Felice, Art Holman, Michel Kotski, Laura Kradjan Cronin, Dahlia Kamesar, Richard & Judith Selby Lang, Alejandro Lopez, Anne McClain, Sam Parry, Molly Rea, Sharon Skolnick-Bagnoli, Helen Strang, Tot Tatarsky, JeanA Warner, me and Helen Webber.

                                       Ernesto Hernandez Olmos

In June the Latino Photo Project & Canal Welcome Center art shows were held in conjunction with the Latino Arts Festival. A special highlight of the exhibit were the extraordinary murals of Ernesto Hernandez Olmos.

                                       Bea Benjamin

Just last November we celebrated Pressing Matters VI: Printmakers Group Show. The 6th annual event featured the etchings, woodcuts, linocuts, silkscreen and monotypes of over 20 print artists including Bea Benjamin, Fred L. Berensmeier, Geoff Bernstein, Martha Cederstrom, Diane Cokely, Danielle Fogel, David Getz, Art Hazelwood, Elan Kamesar, Veronica Buros Kleinberg, Sophie Larsen, Katya McCulloch, Cindy Miracle, Elaine Nehm, Larry Rippee, Gabriele Schwibach, Susan Shannon, Connie Smith Siegel, Sam Vaughn, Xander Weaver-Scull and Melissa West.


Other remarkable shows included The Third Annual Photographers Group Show

                                       Two photos by Michel Kotski

Gaetano De Felice

Matt Tasley

and Elan Kamesar.

The Valley has the special distinction of possessing a local, primarily community focused, gallery in its own neighborhood.

I urge anyone who may make their way to the San Geronimo Valley, west Marin county
to take advantage of this remarkable resource and drop by for a gander.

(For more about the 2015 gallery shows see this blogs archives)