Laura's "Art" Debut at Bird in Hand!

Next time you're in downtown Chico, swing by Bird in Hand at 320 Broadway (great toy/gift store!) and check out the newly-installed window display!  As a participant in this year's "Artoberfest" window art project, I have the pleasure of displaying a video I made last year entitled "Kahlas Visits Bird in Hand."  (Click here to view the original "talkie" version of the video; it's adorable!)  Kahlas was one of the students at Rose Scott Learning Community where I volunteered last year, and he was such an inspiration to me.  During a little outing I took with him to buy yo-yo string, I shot some Flip Video footage just for the fun of having Kahlas watch it later with his classmates (little knowing it would later evolve into a "visual art piece"!).  I'm very proud to share this video and to be part of this year's ultimate art "happening" in Chico, where art is being displayed in storefront windows throughout the downtown area during the month of October. (Click here for art-related events happening throughout the month.)

Special thanks to my friend Ginny Crawford (Chico Arts Commissioner) for recognizing the potential in this sweet little video, and to Jeanne Rawlings, Dustlight Productions, for her excellent post-production assistance.  Also to Kahlas for his friendship, never-ending curiosity and love of yo-yos, Cindy Carlson, Curriculum Director of Rose Scott Learning Community (K-12 Open-Structured School), for her dedication to the kids and overall sweet nature, and to Becky of Bird in Hand for being such a great sport and one of the most helpful, nicest shop folks in Chico!

The Amazing Getty Museum

On our trip to So Cal last week, Eva and I made a quick tour of the Getty Museum in L.A. It's been a few years since I was there, but the architecture, grounds and (especially) artwork thrilled me again. Click here to view a few of the photos I took. The Getty sits atop a hill. Entrance to the museum is free, but there is a $15 parking fee for the garage and then a tram ride up the hill. Next time you're traveling through LaLa land, check it out. Spectacular!

Maxfield Parrish at Crocker Museum

I had the great good fortune to see over 80 original Maxfield Parrish works at the Reno Museum of Art a few years back. Just found out the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento has a Parrish show going on through July 19th. Click here to view prints of some of his wonderful works. If you have a chance to check out the exhibit (and the beautiful Crocker Museum if you haven't been!), I'd highly recommend it.

Artoberfest in Chico

"ARTOBERFEST" kicked into high gear in Chico today with the 2nd annual "Palio," the running of the "horses." (Click here for short video of the race.) Well, homemade horse-like creations, that is. (Reminds me of the Great Arcata-to-Ferndale Kinetic Sculpture Race--see my blog entry in May '08 for more info on this annual event.) A "just for fun" family event held in our Downtown Plaza, the running marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of the arts. As Chico has been recognized in various publications (including USA Today and Sunset Magazine) as one of the top small arts communities in the country, our various art groups work together to live up to this illustrious reputation. (Thanks to the Chico Art Center and Chico Arts Commission in particular. Click here to view some of Chico's public art.) My family and I have always enjoyed visiting the personal work spaces of various local artists during the ever-popular "Open Studio Tour," which occurs beginning Oct. 11-12 in Chico this year, with tours of Paradise and Oroville on the following weekends. In past years some standouts have been (in my humble opinion): Caitlin Schwerin, Chunhong Chang, Bruce Ertle and mosaic tile artist Robin Indar. Of course, there are many extremely talented artists gracious enough to open their studios to the public--what a great opportunity to see how they work. Hope you find time to enjoy some of this month's Artoberfest! (More public art can be viewed at my web site, http://www.chicolaura.com/, by clicking on "Area Photo Tour," then on the photo album, bottom left.)

Kinetic Sculpture Race

One misty day (weren't they all?) in the mid-70s when we lived on the North Coast, we were driving on one of the back roads between Eureka and Ferndale when what to our wondering eyes should appear out of the fog, but a strange pedal-powered contraption that resembled a large, yellow pencil! Shortly thereafter we passed another equally-intriguing "vehicle." Now, how we could have been living in the Arcata/Eureka/Ferndale area for a year and not have heard of the Great Arcata-to-Ferndale Kinetic Sculpture Race is beyond me. But we became fans of the annual event and have traveled back to the North Coast several times over the years to witness the festvities. Our favorite viewing spot has always been at the Humboldt Bay ramp, where racers must pass a sobriety check before plunging in. (One would *think* they would have tested the sea-worthiness of their vehicles prior to this time, but apparently not all do!)

The three-day cross country race is also called the "Triathlon of the Art World" because art and engineering are combined with physical endurance during a race that includes sand, mud, pavement, a bay crossing, a river crossing and major hills. The concept of kinetic sculpture racing originated in Ferndale, California when local sculptor Hobart Brown "improved" the appearance of his son's tricycle by welding on two additional wheels and other embellishments. Seeing this "Pentacycle," Jack Mays challenged him to a race, and others joined in so twelve machines inaugurated the first race, down Ferndale's Main Street during the annual art festival. Neither Hobart nor Jack won; instead, the first winner was Bob Brown of Eureka, California whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs.

Now in its 40th year, the race, as always, is being held over Memorial Day weekend. Despite the passing of the "Glorious Founder," Hobart Brown, last year from pneumonia, it appears the event was as popular as ever, judging by the articles I've read online. While family events kept me from attending this year, I've got it on my calendar for next year and will plan to take plenty of photos to share!

Home, Garden & Antique Show!

Don't miss the 22nd Annual Home, Garden & Antique Show
March 15 & 16, 2008, 10am–5pm
Silver Dollar Fair Grounds in Chico!

Produced each year by Soroptimist International of Chico, this fundraiser allows the club to continue providing community service in many areas. (Please check out the SI Chico website for more information about this great show and the services provided by this wonderful organization.) This year's show is "going GREEN" and will be better than ever, featuring food demonstrations (with delectable samples!) by some of Chico's best eateries, creative ideas for landscaping, outdoor living, home improvement, decor, a fun "Kidz Corner," antiques, and a fabulous art and wine tasting area. All this AND a classic car and hot rod expo! See you there!

Crocker Art Museum

Son Gabe and I had the opportunity yesterday to visit the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Founded in 1885 and housed in one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture in the United States, the museum is a real treasure for Northern California. We especially enjoyed the works of Edwin Deakon (1838–1923). Such an interesting life. Born in England, he and his family moved to Chicago when he was young. He lost most of his artwork in the Chicago fire, then moved to S.F. and survived THAT fire (1906), and ended up in Berkeley where he painted into his golden years, mostly wilderness scenes of California and the missions. Beautiful work. If you haven't been to the Crocker, do set aside an extra couple of hours next time you're in Sac and check it out. It offers an amazing collection of art, some dating back to the 16th century. Or check out the "Digital Crocker" and take a tour from the comfort of your computer desk!

Chico Museum

We're so fortunate to have a beautiful, historic building right downtown housing the Chico Museum here in Chico (141 Salem St.). And we're ESPECIALLY fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy some of the vast Janet Turner collection on display through May 18, 2008. Admission to the museum is by donation, open Wed. through Sun., 12 - 4:00. Check it out next time you are downtown and have a bit of free time!