YoloArts will be hosting receptions for the opening of two exhibitions at the Gibson House and Property in Woodland on March 17. The Barn Gallery will feature the group exhibition, After Viola. Inside the Gibson House, Side-by-Side: Historic and Contemporary Ceramics will be unveiled.
Both shows open are part of the 2022 National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts (NCECA) annual conference being held at the Sacramento Convention Center, March 16-19. The conference theme is “Fertile Ground” and pays homage to the Farm to Fork movement that originated in northern California, and annually celebrated by YoloArts’ Art and Ag Project.
According to the organizers of the conference, “Fertile Ground invites us to gather around an expansive and inclusive table for continued sustenance and dialogue through ceramic art, teaching, and learning.” Along with the Crocker Art Museum, CSU Sacramento, the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, and other galleries in the region, The Barn Gallery and Gibson House will be part of the NCECA conference bus route and visited by conference participants and collectors from all over the country.
After Viola is a group exhibition at The Barn Gallery featuring the artwork of Bay Area artists who have come together to create new works in conversation with the archives of Viola Frey, the renowned California artist known for her colorful, robust, larger-than-life sculptures. The exhibition is in collaboration with the Artists’ Legacy Foundation.
Artists exhibiting their work: Ashwini Bhat, Nicki Green, Cathy Lu, Nathan Lynch, and Kari Marboe.
All five artists share an affinity for Frey’s multifaceted studio practice and a mutual love for clay, providing the unifying threads of this exhibit. Curated by Julia Schwartz of the Artists’ Legacy Foundation, the exhibition will also include photographic representation of Frey’s work from the archives.
“Each artist approached the Viola Frey Archives differently, finding inspiration in Frey’s artwork and studio space, quotes from interviews, and catalogues. We are pleased to see how they reflected on Frey’s life and work, and incorporated them into their individual practices,” Schwartz said.
After Viola continues at The Barn Gallery through June 11.
Side-by-Side: Historic and Contemporary Ceramics includes artwork from earthenware to porcelain and invites visitors to look at items from the Yolo County Historical Collection through the lens of contemporary artists as they draw inspiration and reframe history through their work.
Artists participating in the show are: Shenny Cruces, Zen Du, Linda S. Fitz Gibbon, Ianna Nova Frisby, Ray Gonzales, Michelle P. Kern, William Peterson, and Sandy Whetstone.
“We are excited to be one of the conference venues showcasing contemporary ceramic artists in the region in the historically significant and visually enticing environment of the Gibson family’s historic home, and in conversation with historic pieces from the Yolo County Historical Collection,” said Iulia Bodeneau, museum and exhibition curator.
Side-by-Side: Historic and Contemporary Ceramics continues at the Gibson House through June 24.
The artist reception for both exhibitions will be hosted 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 17. Music will be performed by jazz guitarist Jon Spivack. Light refreshments and wine will be available.
The Barn Gallery and The Gibson House will have special open hours March 16-19 during the NCECA conference: March 16 10am – 5 pm; March 17 & 18 5-9 pm; March 19 12:30-5 pm.
Up to date details and more information about the exhibitions can be found at yoloarts.org.
Ongoing regular open hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:30-5 p.m. and select Saturdays 12:30-3pm.
Upcoming special events coordinated with the exhibitions include:
Artist Talk: Thursday, April 21, 5:30-7:30pm VIOLA FREY: Finding Inspiration – YoloArts Salon Series – a presentation by Julia Schwartz, Director of Administration and Development at the Artists’ Legacy Foundation
Community Clay Day – Saturday, May 14, 1-3pm Create your own Alebrijes with ceramic artist Mark Abildgaard. All supplies included. All ages welcome.
Artist Talk: Thursday, June 16, 5:30-7:30pm Side-by-Side: Back to Back – YoloArts Salon Series – with ceramist, Linda S. Fitz Gibbon and Iulia Bodeanu, curator for the Yolo County Historical Collection.
The Barn Gallery and the Gibson House are located at 512 Gibson Road in Woodland. For more information contact YoloArts at 530-309-6464 or ya@yoloarts.org.