A new exhibition of murals by local and regional artists communicating stories of social and political issues, history, identity, and culture will open at The Barn Gallery in Woodland on July 8.
Larger than Life: Murals in the Making is curated and presented in collaboration with TANA (Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer), in Woodland and features the work of local and regional mural artists including Elyse Doyle-Martinez, Chris Herman, Jared Konopitski, Emma Montalbano, Gladys Padilla, Jenn Ponci, Melissa Uroff and artists affiliated with Studio TANA in Woodland who have created a mural for this exhibition. Artwork from students in the UC Davis class, Art 171: Mexican and Chicanx Mural Workshop, will also be featured. Many of the artists are from Woodland and Sacramento and have contributed to “Wide Open Walls,” activating spaces in alleyways and buildings in Sacramento through murals.
“TANA is pleased to collaborate with YoloArts on this exhibition and I am particularly excited to contribute a mural produced by students in this year’s Mexican and Chicano Mural Workshop at UC Davis,” said Jose Arenas, TANA executive director, UC Davis professor, and YoloArts board member. “The mural is based on the themes of decolonization and indigenous healing and was created via Zoom with each student making individual panels, pieced together into one movable mural.”
All of the murals installed inside the gallery are on 4’ x 6’ plywood panels and each is accompanied by a narrative statement by the artist.
The exhibition opening reception is planned for Thursday July 8, 5:30 – 8 p.m. and will feature music and refreshments. The 45-piece Yolo Community Band under the direction of Bobby Rogers, will play at 7:15 p.m. on the Gibson House patio, performing familiar tunes and marches celebrating the spirit of the 4th of July.
The family friendly reception will include a printmaking activity hosted by TANA and a community mural will be set up outside The Barn Gallery for visitors of all ages to “make their mark” on a group project. This unique experience will be available during the reception and at regular open hours of the gallery through August 19.
The YoloArts high school mural project will also be featured at the reception. The 2021 mural was designed and created by the students and staff at Cesar Chavez Community School, facilitated by Tomás Montoya and Monica Aceves Robles. A preview of the mural and program will be on view, and program participants will be in attendance.
On August 11, Arenas will present a talk about the collaborative and empowering aspects of the mural-making process, and current TANA community projects. The talk, noon-1 p.m., is part of the YoloArts virtual Knowledge at Noon series.
Larger than Life: Murals in the Making runs through August 19. The artwork can also be viewed online at yoloarts.org during the exhibition’s run.
The Barn Gallery is located at 512 Gibson Road in Woodland. The gallery is open Thursday afternoons 2:30-5 p.m. and two Saturday afternoons monthly. Face coverings recommended in the gallery for guests who are not fully vaccinated.
For more information contact ya@yoloarts.org.